A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ao Nang vs. Hongcun for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Ao Nang or Hongcun?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Ao Nang or Hongcun? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Ao Nang or Hongcun?

Ao Nang

If you're looking for a relaxing beach on the coast of Thailand, it might be time to make a trip to Ao Nang. This developed and "westernized" beach was once the place to be for backpackers, but is now quite popular with package tourist crowds, too, as prices have risen in recent decades. Here you'll find nice hotels, restaurants, and plenty of fun activities at the beach and nearby, too.

Hongcun

When you picture ancient China, you likely picture old cobblestone streets, white homes with pointed black roofs and a slight air of mysticism in the surroundings. This is Hongcun.

The backdrop for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is not usually on the top of many traveler's lists. This isn't a bustling tourist town with guides offering to show you the sights or carts peddling the latest tacky souvenir. It's a quiet village where you'll see the real Chinese culture. The homes along the complex water canals air their fish in their windows to preserve it for their family dinners. There is no bowing to tourism here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in Thailand, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, and The Best Adventure Tours to China.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ao Nang and Hongcun, we can see that Ao Nang is more expensive. And not only is Hongcun much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hongcun would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hongcun 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 Ao Nang would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ao Nang than you might in Hongcun.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ao Nang Expensive? and Is Hongcun Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Ao Nang or Hongcun?

Hongcun has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Ao Nang experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Ao Nang or Hongcun in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Ao Nang as well as Hongcun. Ao Nang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Ao Nang is around the same temperature as Hongcun in the summer. The daily temperature in Ao Nang averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Hongcun fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).

It's quite rainy in Hongcun. Ao Nang receives a lot of rain in the summer. Ao Nang usually gets more rain in July than Hongcun. Ao Nang gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain this time of the year. August to October in Ao Nang is the rainy season.

Should I visit Ao Nang or Hongcun in the Autumn?

Both Hongcun and Ao Nang are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ao Nang throughout the year.

In the autumn, Ao Nang is a little warmer than Hongcun. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Ao Nang in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Hongcun averages at about 19°C (65°F).

It's quite rainy in Ao Nang. In October, Ao Nang usually receives more rain than Hongcun. Ao Nang gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Ao Nang is December to March. The rainy season in Ao Nang is August to October.

Should I visit Ao Nang or Hongcun in the Winter?

Both Hongcun and Ao Nang during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Ao Nang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

It's quite cold in Hongcun in the winter. In January, Ao Nang is generally much warmer than Hongcun. Daily temperatures in Ao Nang average around 28°C (82°F), and Hongcun fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

Ao Nang usually gets less rain in January than Hongcun. Ao Nang gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year. December to March is the dry season in Ao Nang.

Should I visit Ao Nang or Hongcun in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Ao Nang and Hongcun. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ao Nang year-round.

Ao Nang is much warmer than Hongcun in the spring. The daily temperature in Ao Nang averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Hongcun fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

Hongcun receives a lot of rain in the spring. Ao Nang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Ao Nang usually receives less rain than Hongcun. Ao Nang gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Hongcun and Ao Nang