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

Should you visit Ao Nang or Shijiazhuang?

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

Should I visit Ao Nang or Shijiazhuang? 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 Shijiazhuang?

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.

Shijiazhuang

Shijiazhuang is the capital city of Hebei Province in China. It is a fairly young city, acting as the regional transport hub and economic center, though there are a few sights worth seeing. The city is also the largest pharmaceutical hub in China, as well as an important center for textile, IT, manufacturing, and chemical industries.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in Thailand, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, The Best Historical Tours in China, and The Best 10-Day Tours in China.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ao Nang and Shijiazhuang, we can see that Ao Nang is more expensive. And not only is Shijiazhuang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Shijiazhuang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Shijiazhuang 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 Shijiazhuang.

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 Shijiazhuang Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Ao Nang or Shijiazhuang?

Shijiazhuang has a larger population, and is about 250 times larger than the population of Ao Nang. When comparing the sizes of Ao Nang and Shijiazhuang, 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 Ao Nang or Shijiazhuang?

Shijiazhuang 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 Shijiazhuang in the Summer?

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

In July, Ao Nang is generally around the same temperature as Shijiazhuang. Daily temperatures in Ao Nang average around 28°C (82°F), and Shijiazhuang fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Shijiazhuang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Ao Nang. Ao Nang usually gets more rain in July than Shijiazhuang. Ao Nang gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Shijiazhuang receives 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year. August to October is the rainy season in Ao Nang.

Should I visit Ao Nang or Shijiazhuang in the Autumn?

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

Ao Nang is much warmer than Shijiazhuang in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ao Nang averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Shijiazhuang fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

Ao Nang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Ao Nang usually receives more rain than Shijiazhuang. Ao Nang gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Shijiazhuang receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn. December to March in Ao Nang is the dry season. Also, August to October is the rainy season in Ao Nang.

Should I visit Ao Nang or Shijiazhuang in the Winter?

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

It's quite cold in Shijiazhuang in the winter. In the winter, Ao Nang is much warmer than Shijiazhuang. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ao Nang in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Shijiazhuang averages at about -2°C (29°F).

Ao Nang usually gets more rain in January than Shijiazhuang. Ao Nang gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Shijiazhuang receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to March in Ao Nang is the dry season.

Should I visit Ao Nang or Shijiazhuang in the Spring?

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

In April, Ao Nang is generally much warmer than Shijiazhuang. Daily temperatures in Ao Nang average around 29°C (84°F), and Shijiazhuang fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).

It's quite rainy in Ao Nang. In April, Ao Nang usually receives more rain than Shijiazhuang. Ao Nang gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Shijiazhuang receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Shijiazhuang and Ao Nang