Which place is cheaper, Zhangjiajie or Zhengzhou?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Zhengzhou or Zhangjiajie?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Zhengzhou and Zhangjiajie can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Zhengzhou or Zhangjiajie?
Zhengzhou
Along the Yellow River, a city from the future and the past resides. Ancient pagodas, futuristic domes, verdant gardens - Zhengzhou is a myriad of many worlds in one urban area. The provincial capital of the Henan Province, Zhengzhou is the encapsulation of a perfect city from its delicate balance of the natural and urban spheres. It was born during the Sui Dynasty, and its actual location was in the modern-day Chenggao. Moreover, Zhengzhou works as the political, economic, technological, and educational center of the province. The city is also one of the eight great ancient capitals of China, with a collection of architecture and art originating during iconic dynasties. These relics of the old world include the Shaolin Monastery, Henan Museum, the Pagoda Forest, the Gaocheng Astronomical Observatory, the Songyue Pagoda, the Emperors of Yan and Huang, and the scenic views of the Yellow River. With over nine million inhabitants, Zhengzhou continues to grow at a thriving rate. It also should be noted that in June 2012, Greater Zhengzhou was named one of the thirteen emerging megacities in China according to the Economist Intelligent Unit. Known internationally for its amazing culmination of culture and history, Zhengzhou is the ideal city for travelers and inhabitants alike.
Zhangjiajie
Zhangjiajie, China is a picturesque city located in the northwest of the Hunan Province. This ancient city, which dates all the way back to the Stone Age, is famous for being home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Wulingyuan Scenic Area. Zhangjiajie is also known for being a popular filming location and and overall great place to escape the bustling Chinese cities. Zhangjiajie has its own dialect, which is a branch of the Hunan and Southern dialects, so Mandarin does not always translate when trying to speak to locals here.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Shanghai, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZhengzhou $100Zhangjiajie $65
The average daily cost (per person) in Zhengzhou is $100, while the average daily cost in Zhangjiajie is $65. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Zhengzhou and Zhangjiajie in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZhengzhou $37Zhangjiajie $30
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZhengzhou $74Zhangjiajie $60
Compare Hotels in Zhengzhou and Zhangjiajie
Looking for a hotel in Zhengzhou or Zhangjiajie? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zhengzhou $65Zhangjiajie $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zhengzhou
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zhengzhou:
- Private Transfer to Guoliang Village and Tunnel from Zhengzhou: $160
- Private Transfer to Shaolin Temple or Dengfeng from Zhengzhou Train station: $132
- Private transfer to Shaolin Temple from Zhengzhou: $108
- Private Guided Tour/Transfer to Shaolin Temple: $98
- Private Transfer from Zhengzhou to Luoyang Longmen Grottoes : $95
- One-Way Private Transfer from Zhengzhou to Luoyang: $80
- One-Way Private Transfer from Zhengzhou to Kaifeng: $70
- Zhengzhou Xinzheng Airport Chauffeur Transfer , Zhengzhou Airport Transfer : $65
- Zhengzhou Airport Transfer( Hotel to Airport): $59
- Zhengzhou Xinzheng Airport Chauffeur Transfer , Zhengzhou Airport Transfer : $53
- Zhengzhou Xinzheng Airport Chauffeur Transfer, Zhengzhou Airport Transfer: $31
- Zhengzhou Special Car Service, Zhengzhou Airport Transfer: $27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zhangjiajie
Also for Zhangjiajie, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Entrance Tickets to Grand Canyon & Glass Bridge with Private Car Transfer From Zhangjiajie city hotel (Round Trip ): $127
- Fox Fairy Show VIP Ticket with Private Transfer in ZJJ City: $63
- Private Car Transfer From WLY to Glass Bridge (Round Trip ): $105
- Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie Train Station to Fenghuang hotel: $149
- Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Fenghuang and stops at Aizhai bridge area: $187
- Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Fenghuang and stops at Furong old town: $187
- Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Guilin or Yangshuo: $256
- Private Transfer: Yichang hotel from/to Zhangjiajie Hotel: $325
- Private transfer from Zhangjiajie(Wulingyuan) to Changsha area: $213
- Zhangjiajie airport/city pick up transfer to hotel or Vice Versa: $18
Is it cheaper to fly into Zhengzhou or Zhangjiajie?
Prices for flights to both Zhangjiajie and Zhengzhou change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayZhengzhou $29Zhangjiajie $21
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zhengzhou
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zhengzhou.
- Zhengzhou Erqi Square and Night Markets Private Tour including Dinner: $145
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zhangjiajie
For Zhangjiajie, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 1 Day Zhangjiajie Private Tour Visit Avatar Mount and Tianzi Mount with Dinner: $196
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zhengzhou $8.41Zhangjiajie $23
Tours and Activities in Zhengzhou
Here are a few actual costs in Zhengzhou for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 10 day private tour: china ancient and morden capitals: $2,743
- All Inclusive Private Day Tour to Guoliangcun from Zhengzhou: $265
- All Inclusive Private Day Tour to Shaolin Temple and Longmen Grottoes from Zhengzhou: $275
- All Inclusive Private Day Tour to Yuntai Mountain from Zhengzhou: $265
- All inclusive Anyang Yin Xu ruins and Character Museum day tour from Zhengzhou: $280
- Beijing: Shaolin Temple Day Tour by Round Trip Bullet Train: $398
- Day tour to Dengfeng Shaolin temple Yuan dynasty observatory: $200
- From Zhengzhou or Luoyang: Shaolin Temple Private Day Tour: $206
- Full-Day Private Kaifeng Highlight Tour from Zhengzhou: $248
- Independent Tour to Shaolin Temple and Longmen Grottoes from Zhengzhou: $188
- Kaifeng City Highlights Independant Tour from Zhengzhou: $80
- Private Day Tour to Guoliang from Zhengzhou: $268
Tours and Activities in Zhangjiajie
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Zhangjiajie.
- Virtual Guided Tour: Visit China's Landscapes with Hollywood Movies: $16
- Baofeng Lake Admission Ticket in Zhangjiajie (with Boat Ride): $37
- Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon and Glass Bridge Ticket: $57
- Tianmen Mountain day tour: $92
- Full-Day Private Tour of Tianmen Mountain With the Skywalk: $121
- Join-in Tour: Day Tour to Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon & Glass Bridge : $125
- Full-Day Private Tour of Tianmen Mountain: $125
- Full-Day Private Tour of Zhangjiajie(Wulingyuan) National Forest Park: $130
- 1 Days Zhangjiajie Natural Beauty Tour with Baofeng Lake: $132
- 1 Day Tianmen Mountain Tour: $139
- Private Day Tour of Baofeng Lake and Yellow Dragon Cave: $140
- 1 Day Private Expedition Tour to Binlang Valley: $142
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZhengzhou $6.48Zhangjiajie $16
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zhengzhou and Zhangjiajie, we can see that Zhengzhou is more expensive. And not only is Zhangjiajie much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Zhangjiajie would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Zhangjiajie and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Zhengzhou would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zhengzhou than you might in Zhangjiajie.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zhengzhou Expensive? and Is Zhangjiajie Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zhengzhou or Zhangjiajie?
Zhengzhou has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Zhangjiajie. When comparing the sizes of Zhengzhou and Zhangjiajie, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Zhengzhou or Zhangjiajie?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Zhengzhou or Zhangjiajie in the Summer?
Both Zhangjiajie and Zhengzhou during the summer are popular places to visit.
In the summer, Zhengzhou is around the same temperature as Zhangjiajie. Typically, the summer temperatures in Zhengzhou in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Zhangjiajie averages at about 29°C (85°F).
Zhangjiajie gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Zhengzhou. Zhengzhou usually gets more rain in July than Zhangjiajie. Zhengzhou gets 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyZhengzhou 28°C (83°F)Zhangjiajie 29°C (85°F)
Should I visit Zhengzhou or Zhangjiajie in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Zhengzhou and Zhangjiajie.
In October, Zhengzhou is generally cooler than Zhangjiajie. Daily temperatures in Zhengzhou average around 16°C (61°F), and Zhangjiajie fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).
In October, Zhengzhou usually receives less rain than Zhangjiajie. Zhengzhou gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 90 mm (3.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberZhengzhou 16°C (61°F)Zhangjiajie 19°C (65°F)
Should I visit Zhengzhou or Zhangjiajie in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Zhengzhou as well as Zhangjiajie.
The weather in Zhengzhou can be very cold. Zhengzhou is much colder than Zhangjiajie in the winter. The daily temperature in Zhengzhou averages around 1°C (34°F) in January, and Zhangjiajie fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).
Zhengzhou usually gets less rain in January than Zhangjiajie. Zhengzhou gets 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryZhengzhou 1°C (34°F)Zhangjiajie 5°C (42°F)
Should I visit Zhengzhou or Zhangjiajie in the Spring?
Both Zhangjiajie and Zhengzhou are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.
In the spring, Zhengzhou is around the same temperature as Zhangjiajie. Typically, the spring temperatures in Zhengzhou in April average around 16°C (61°F), and Zhangjiajie averages at about 17°C (63°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Zhangjiajie. In April, Zhengzhou usually receives less rain than Zhangjiajie. Zhengzhou gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 166 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilZhengzhou 16°C (61°F)Zhangjiajie 17°C (63°F)
Typical Weather for Zhangjiajie and Zhengzhou
| Zhengzhou | Zhangjiajie | |||
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| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 1°C (34°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 3°C (38°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (48°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (61°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 166 mm (6.5 in) |
| May | 22°C (71°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 179 mm (7 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (80°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 199 mm (7.8 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (71°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 90 mm (3.6 in) |
| Nov | 9°C (49°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 70 mm (2.7 in) |
| Dec | 3°C (38°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.