A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hefei vs. Khao Sok National Park for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Hefei or Khao Sok National Park?

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

Should I visit Hefei or Khao Sok National Park? 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: Hefei or Khao Sok National Park?

Hefei

While most would consider the city of Hefei a pass-through destination, there are plenty of things to see in the capital city of China's Anhui province.

Khao Sok National Park

In the south of Thailand, visitors will find a gorgeous getaway of pure nature. The Khao Sok National Park is a jungle reserve that covers over 700 square kilometers, and described as one of the most beautiful wildlife reserves in the country.

Many say this jungle is over 160 million years old making it one of the world's oldest rainforests. The lush environment of limestone, waterfalls and thickets of vegetation will make any wanderer eager to discover more. Keep your eyes peeled for bears, boars, gaurs, tapirs, gibbons, deer, marbled cats, wild elephants and more. Look to the sky for over 300 species of bird and 38 different types of bats.

You'll find the best time to book is from December to April, better known as the dry season. From June to October there is significantly more rain and the threat of monsoons. Not only does it rain on your parade, but also it causes the leeches to emerge.

To enter the park is a 300 baht fee for foreigners, 150 for children, and 40 for Thai citizens. If someone tries to sell you a ticket for more than that, simply buy one at the park entrance. When planning your stay remember that your entrance fee is only valid for 24 hours. If you're staying multiple days, you'll need to pay up front. Often if you're with a tour, the entrance fee is included in the tour price, but you should inquire about this to make sure.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to China, The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Thailand, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Thailand.

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hefei Expensive? and Is Khao Sok National Park Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Hefei or Khao Sok National Park?

Hefei has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Khao Sok National Park experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Hefei or Khao Sok National Park in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hefei and Khao Sok National Park. Khao Sok National Park attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the summer, Hefei is around the same temperature as Khao Sok National Park. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hefei in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Khao Sok National Park averages at about 28°C (82°F).

Khao Sok National Park receives a lot of rain in the summer. Hefei gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Hefei usually receives less rain than Khao Sok National Park. Hefei gets 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Hefei or Khao Sok National Park in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Hefei as well as Khao Sok National Park. The warm climate attracts visitors to Khao Sok National Park throughout the year.

In October, Hefei is generally much colder than Khao Sok National Park. Daily temperatures in Hefei average around 18°C (64°F), and Khao Sok National Park fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

It's quite rainy in Khao Sok National Park. Hefei usually gets less rain in October than Khao Sok National Park. Hefei gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hefei or Khao Sok National Park in the Winter?

Both Khao Sok National Park and Hefei are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Khao Sok National Park because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Hefei. Hefei is much colder than Khao Sok National Park in the winter. The daily temperature in Hefei averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Khao Sok National Park fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

In January, Hefei usually receives less rain than Khao Sok National Park. Hefei gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Hefei or Khao Sok National Park in the Spring?

Both Khao Sok National Park and Hefei during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Khao Sok National Park year-round.

In the spring, Hefei is much colder than Khao Sok National Park. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hefei in April average around 16°C (61°F), and Khao Sok National Park averages at about 29°C (83°F).

Khao Sok National Park gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Hefei usually gets less rain in April than Khao Sok National Park. Hefei gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Khao Sok National Park and Hefei