A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Similan Islands vs. Zhangjiajie for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Similan Islands or Zhangjiajie?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Similan Islands and Zhangjiajie can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Similan Islands or Zhangjiajie?

Similan Islands

There are places divers like, and there are places divers love. One of the most popular spots to visit the underwater world is at the national park of the Similan Islands in southern Thailand. With 140 square kilometers of land and nine islands, this area is a paradise for those ready to get their feet wet.

The park is made up of nine islands: Ko Bon, Ko Bayu, Ko Similan, Ko Payu, Ko Miang, Ko Payan, Ko Paying and Ko Huyong. If these names are a bit too similar for you to easily differentiate, don't worry. Most refer to each island with a number from 1 to 9. Two more islands were added to the park – Koh Bon and Koh Tachai – in 1998.

Even though the park was only established in 1982, the islands have been around for approximately 65 million years. They are the product of swells of hot magma during the Cretaceous period and smoothed over by glacial ice and water erosion. The reefs beneath the surface are approximately 5,000 years and therefor the oldest in Thailand. Luckily, because of its deep waters, the islands' underwater landscapes were essentially unharmed during the 2004 tsunami.

Each island is covered in lush, tropical jungle and white, sandy coastlines. There is fish of every shape, color and size – including the famous "Nemo" clownfish, batfish, barracudas, whale sharks and manta rays.

You'll want to plan your visit around monsoon season. So book a trip sometime between December and April. March is a particularly good time to visit as the winds have died down and the water is crystal clear. The park is closed from May to November.

There are a few tents and bungalows on some of the islands. They are government run, and you'll need to reserve them in advance. Many divers will simply take day trips, or sleep on board boats. There are several organized tour and boat options available out of Phuket, Khao Lak and Ranong. Both areas will likely offer day trips and live-aboard cruises. These cruises typically start at four days and 4 nights, but shorter trips are available. There is an entry fee to the park, along with a daily usage fee for those spending multiple days in the park. This fee is paid to your driver before the trip.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bangkok, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Phuket, The Best Historical Tours in China, and The Best 10-Day Tours in China.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Similan Islands or Zhangjiajie?

Zhangjiajie has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Similan Islands experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Zhangjiajie in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Similan Islands and Zhangjiajie. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Similan Islands year-round.

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

Zhangjiajie receives a lot of rain in the summer. Similan Islands gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Similan Islands usually receives more rain than Zhangjiajie. Similan Islands gets 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain each month for the summer. Also, June to September is the rainy season in Similan Islands.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Zhangjiajie in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Similan Islands as well as Zhangjiajie. Similan Islands attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

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

Similan Islands receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Similan Islands usually gets more rain in October than Zhangjiajie. Similan Islands gets 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 90 mm (3.6 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, October to May in Similan Islands is the dry season.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Zhangjiajie in the Winter?

Both Zhangjiajie and Similan Islands are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Similan Islands throughout the year.

In January, Similan Islands is generally much warmer than Zhangjiajie. Daily temperatures in Similan Islands average around 27°C (80°F), and Zhangjiajie fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).

In January, Similan Islands usually receives around the same amount of rain as Zhangjiajie. Similan Islands gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Zhangjiajie in the Spring?

Both Zhangjiajie and Similan Islands during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Similan Islands because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Similan Islands is much warmer than Zhangjiajie in the spring. The daily temperature in Similan Islands averages around 29°C (83°F) in April, and Zhangjiajie fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Zhangjiajie gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Similan Islands. Similan Islands usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Zhangjiajie. Similan Islands gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 166 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year. October to May is the dry season in Similan Islands. June to September is the rainy season in Similan Islands.

Typical Weather for Zhangjiajie and Similan Islands