A Travel Price Comparison for China Nanchang vs. Hongcun for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Nanchang or Hongcun?

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 Nanchang and Hongcun can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Nanchang or Hongcun?

Nanchang

Capital of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang is a city of southern China with a significant history. Landmarks like the Tengwang Pavilion represent the city's distant past, while its nickname - "the city of Heroes" - comes from the 1927 Nanchang Uprising when the Communist Party began. Today the city serves as a center for politics, economy, culture, science, education, commerce, and transportation.

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 2-Week Tours from Beijing, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, and The Best Historical Tours in China.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nanchang and Hongcun, we can see that Nanchang 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 Nanchang would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nanchang 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 Nanchang Expensive? and Is Hongcun Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Nanchang or Hongcun?

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 Nanchang or Hongcun in the Summer?

Both Hongcun and Nanchang during the summer are popular places to visit.

In the summer, Nanchang is around the same temperature as Hongcun. Typically, the summer temperatures in Nanchang in July average around 30°C (86°F), and Hongcun averages at about 29°C (85°F).

Hongcun gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Nanchang. Nanchang usually gets less rain in July than Hongcun. Nanchang gets 121 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nanchang or Hongcun in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Nanchang and Hongcun.

In October, Nanchang is generally around the same temperature as Hongcun. Daily temperatures in Nanchang average around 20°C (68°F), and Hongcun fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).

In October, Nanchang usually receives less rain than Hongcun. Nanchang gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Nanchang or Hongcun in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Nanchang as well as Hongcun.

The weather in Hongcun can be very cold. Nanchang is a little warmer than Hongcun in the winter. The daily temperature in Nanchang averages around 6°C (43°F) in January, and Hongcun fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

Nanchang usually gets more rain in January than Hongcun. Nanchang gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nanchang or Hongcun in the Spring?

Both Hongcun and Nanchang are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

In the spring, Nanchang is around the same temperature as Hongcun. Typically, the spring temperatures in Nanchang in April average around 18°C (64°F), and Hongcun averages at about 17°C (62°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hongcun. It's quite rainy in Nanchang. In April, Nanchang usually receives more rain than Hongcun. Nanchang gets 229 mm (9 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Hongcun and Nanchang