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

Should you visit Similan Islands or Zhengzhou?

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 Zhengzhou 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 Zhengzhou?

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.

Zhengzhou

Along the Yellow River, a city from the future and the past resides. Ancient pagodas, futuristic domes, verdant gardens - Zhengzhou is a myriad of many worlds in one urban area. The provincial capital of the Henan Province, Zhengzhou is the encapsulation of a perfect city from its delicate balance of the natural and urban spheres. It was born during the Sui Dynasty, and its actual location was in the modern-day Chenggao. Moreover, Zhengzhou works as the political, economic, technological, and educational center of the province. The city is also one of the eight great ancient capitals of China, with a collection of architecture and art originating during iconic dynasties. These relics of the old world include the Shaolin Monastery, Henan Museum, the Pagoda Forest, the Gaocheng Astronomical Observatory, the Songyue Pagoda, the Emperors of Yan and Huang, and the scenic views of the Yellow River. With over nine million inhabitants, Zhengzhou continues to grow at a thriving rate. It also should be noted that in June 2012, Greater Zhengzhou was named one of the thirteen emerging megacities in China according to the Economist Intelligent Unit. Known internationally for its amazing culmination of culture and history, Zhengzhou is the ideal city for travelers and inhabitants alike.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Shanghai, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing.

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

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 Zhengzhou Expensive?.

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

Zhengzhou 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 Zhengzhou in the Summer?

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

In July, Similan Islands is generally around the same temperature as Zhengzhou. Daily temperatures in Similan Islands average around 28°C (82°F), and Zhengzhou fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).

In Zhengzhou, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Similan Islands. In the summer, Similan Islands often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Zhengzhou. Similan Islands gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zhengzhou receives 215 hours of full sun.

Zhengzhou 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 more rain in July than Zhengzhou. Similan Islands gets 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain, while Zhengzhou receives 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year. June to September is the rainy season in Similan Islands.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Zhengzhou in the Autumn?

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

Similan Islands is much warmer than Zhengzhou in the autumn. The daily temperature in Similan Islands averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Zhengzhou fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

Similan Islands usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Zhengzhou during autumn. Similan Islands gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Zhengzhou receives 188 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Similan Islands gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Similan Islands usually receives more rain than Zhengzhou. Similan Islands gets 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain, while Zhengzhou receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn. October to May in Similan Islands is the dry season.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Zhengzhou in the Winter?

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

It's quite cold in Zhengzhou in the winter. In the winter, Similan Islands is much warmer than Zhengzhou. Typically, the winter temperatures in Similan Islands in January average around 27°C (80°F), and Zhengzhou averages at about 1°C (34°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Similan Islands this time of the year. In the winter, Similan Islands often gets more sunshine than Zhengzhou. Similan Islands gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zhengzhou receives 159 hours of full sun.

Similan Islands usually gets more rain in January than Zhengzhou. Similan Islands gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Zhengzhou receives 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Zhengzhou in the Spring?

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

In April, Similan Islands is generally much warmer than Zhengzhou. Daily temperatures in Similan Islands average around 29°C (83°F), and Zhengzhou fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

It's quite sunny in Zhengzhou. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Similan Islands. Similan Islands usually receives more sunshine than Zhengzhou during spring. Similan Islands gets 249 hours of sunny skies, while Zhengzhou receives 201 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Similan Islands. In April, Similan Islands usually receives more rain than Zhengzhou. Similan Islands gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Zhengzhou receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Similan Islands is October to May. The rainy season in Similan Islands is June to September.

Typical Weather for Zhengzhou and Similan Islands