Which place is cheaper, Zhangjiajie or Pai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Pai or Zhangjiajie?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Pai and Zhangjiajie. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Pai or Zhangjiajie?
Pai
As the lush green mountains adorn the blue horizon amidst its creamy clouds, Pai, in northern Thailand, works as one of the many hubs for some of the world's most exciting cultural adventures and natural wonders. Within this small town just north of the Mae Hong Son Province, near the Myanmar border, Pai lays on the Pai River and holds a population of no more than 2,500. Despite its geographical insignificance, this town attracts a wide array of tourists. From breathtaking waterfalls to relaxing hot springs, you will find yourself astonished at how much this little city holds within its borders.
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 G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best Historical Tours in China, and The Best 10-Day Tours in China.
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Pai Prices
Thailand PricesZhangjiajie Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPai $91Zhangjiajie $79
The average daily cost (per person) in Pai is $91, while the average daily cost in Zhangjiajie is $79. 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 Pai and Zhangjiajie in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPai $16Zhangjiajie $30
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPai $32Zhangjiajie $60
Compare Hotels in Pai and Zhangjiajie
Looking for a hotel in Pai 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Pai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pai $42Zhangjiajie $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zhangjiajie
Also for Zhangjiajie, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 4-Day Private Tour with Airport Transfers: $710
- Zhangjiajie airport/city pick up transfer to hotel or Vice Versa: $15
- Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport private transfer service: $20
- Private transfer from Zhangjiajie(Wulingyuan) to Changsha area: $213
- Private Transfer: Zhangjiajie from/to Fenghuang: $168
- Private Transfer: Yichang hotel from/to Zhangjiajie Hotel: $322
- Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Guilin or Yangshuo: $256
- Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Fenghuang and stops at Furong old town: $187
- Private Car Transfer From WLY to Glass Bridge (Round Trip ): $105
- Fox Fairy Show VIP Ticket with Private Transfer in ZJJ City: $52
- 1 Day Fenghuang and Furong Town Day Tour with Hotel Transfers: $192
Is it cheaper to fly into Pai or Zhangjiajie?
Prices for flights to both Zhangjiajie and Pai 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 dayPai $42Zhangjiajie $36
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.Pai $46Zhangjiajie $23
Tours and Activities in Zhangjiajie
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Zhangjiajie.
- 2-Day Private Combo Tour: Avatar Mountain & Tianmen Mountain: $251
- 2-Days Private tour to Avatar mount & Have's Gate & Glass bridge: $250
- (Private Day Tour) Zhangjiajie National Park + Tianzi Mountain: $195
- 1 Day Dragon Sitting Gorge & Red Stone Forest Geo-park TOUR！: $272
- 1 Day Private Expedition Tour to Binlang Valley: $142
- 1 Day VIP Tour: Avatar Mountain&72 Odd Towers (Free Ticket): $203
- 1 day tour Avatar Mountain and Grand Canyon & Glass Bridge: $239
- 1-Day Private Tour to Glass Bridge & Yellow Dragon Cave: $102
- 1-Day Private Tour to Tianmen Mountain & Glass Walk & Night Light: $146
- 1-Day Private Tour to ZJJ National Forest Park & Avatar Mountain: $98
- 1-Day Private Tour to Zhangjiajie Forest Park & AVATAR Mountain: $98
- 1-Day Private Tour to Zhangjiajie Forest Park & Avatar Mountain: $195
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPai $15Zhangjiajie $16
When comparing the travel costs between Pai and Zhangjiajie, we can see that Pai is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pai Expensive? and Is Zhangjiajie Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Pai or Zhangjiajie?
Zhangjiajie has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Pai experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Pai or Zhangjiajie in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Pai and Zhangjiajie. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pai year-round.
In the summer, Pai is around the same temperature as Zhangjiajie. Typically, the summer temperatures in Pai in July average around 29°C (85°F), and Zhangjiajie averages at about 29°C (85°F).
Zhangjiajie receives a lot of rain in the summer. Pai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Pai usually receives more rain than Zhangjiajie. Pai gets 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPai 29°C (85°F)Zhangjiajie 29°C (85°F)
Should I visit Pai or Zhangjiajie in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Pai as well as Zhangjiajie. Pai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Pai is generally much warmer than Zhangjiajie. Daily temperatures in Pai average around 29°C (84°F), and Zhangjiajie fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).
Pai receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Pai usually gets more rain in October than Zhangjiajie. Pai gets 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 90 mm (3.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPai 29°C (84°F)Zhangjiajie 19°C (65°F)
Should I visit Pai or Zhangjiajie in the Winter?
Both Zhangjiajie and Pai are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Pai throughout the year.
Pai is much warmer than Zhangjiajie in the winter. The daily temperature in Pai averages around 24°C (74°F) in January, and Zhangjiajie fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).
In January, Pai usually receives less rain than Zhangjiajie. Pai gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPai 24°C (74°F)Zhangjiajie 5°C (42°F)
Should I visit Pai or Zhangjiajie in the Spring?
Both Zhangjiajie and Pai during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Pai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The heat can be very extreme in Pai. In the spring, Pai is much warmer than Zhangjiajie. Typically, the spring temperatures in Pai in April average around 32°C (89°F), and Zhangjiajie averages at about 17°C (63°F).
Zhangjiajie gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Pai usually gets less rain in April than Zhangjiajie. Pai gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 166 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPai 32°C (89°F)Zhangjiajie 17°C (63°F)
Typical Weather for Zhangjiajie and Pai
| Pai | Zhangjiajie | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (74°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (83°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| Apr | 32°C (89°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 166 mm (6.5 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 179 mm (7 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 199 mm (7.8 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 256 mm (10.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (85°F) | 207 mm (8.1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 90 mm (3.6 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 70 mm (2.7 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (76°F) | 12 mm (0.5 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.