First-time travelers to Hunan or Guangxi often ask: Which is more worth visiting, Zhangjiajie or Guilin? Located in northwest Hunan and north Guangxi respectively, both are famous scenic spots with mountains and rivers. Zhangjiajie has over 3,000 pillar-like peaks, while Guilin features pastoral scenery along the Lijiang River. Many travelers cannot decide which to choose or wonder if the two places can be visited together. This guide compares main expenses including transportation, accommodation, tickets and catering, and explains the cost and experience differences in detail. After reading, you can tell which one fits your needs.
Core Differences Between Zhangjiajie and Guilin
The natural scenery of Guilin and Zhangjiajie is quite different.
- Guilin features karst landforms with round and elegant mountains, and the tour is relaxing, which can be done by boat, rafting or cycling through the countryside.
- Zhangjiajie features quartz sandstone peak forest landforms with steep and precipitous mountains, and the tour intensity is high, requiring cable cars, cliff plank roads or mountain climbing.
Guilin is suitable for tourists who like leisurely visits and enjoy natural scenery. Zhangjiajie attracts travelers who like hiking and exploring unique landforms. The choice mainly depends on the travel experience you want.
How to Travel to Zhangjiajie and Guilin from Abroad
Departing from abroad, both places can be reached by connecting flights.
Flying to Zhangjiajie
Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport has connecting or transit flights from many countries and regions. You can also fly to big cities such as Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou and Chengdu first, then transfer to domestic flights to Zhangjiajie. Zhangjiajie Airport is only a few kilometers away from the urban area, and it is convenient to take a taxi.
Flying to Guilin
Guilin Liangjiang International Airport has more international routes than Zhangjiajie, with more options for flights from abroad. There are airport buses from the airport to the urban area, about 20 CNY per person, and a taxi costs about 100 CNY.
Transportation between the two places: If you want to visit both places together, taking a high-speed train from Zhangjiajie to Guilin is the most convenient. Although there is no direct train, you can transfer in Changsha or Hengyang, the whole journey takes about 6 to 7 hours, and the fare is about 340 to 410 CNY.
Comparison of Accommodation Costs Between Zhangjiajie and Guilin
There are many accommodation options in both places, and the price difference mainly depends on the location and grade.
Accommodation in Zhangjiajie
Staying in Wulingyuan District is the most convenient, as it is the entrance to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. Budget inns cost 150 to 250 CNY per night in the off-season, and rise to 300 to 500 CNY in the peak season. Three-star hotels cost about 250 to 400 CNY per night.
- If you stay in the urban area, the hotel price is similar, but it takes an extra half an hour to drive to the scenic spot every day.
- There are a few homestays inside the scenic spot, priced at 600 to 1000 CNY, which can avoid the daytime crowds and are suitable for those who want a deep experience.
- It is recommended to book online in advance, as accommodation is in short supply in the peak season.
Accommodation in Guilin
Ordinary hotels in Guilin urban area cost 150 to 300 CNY per night, and high-end hotels near Central Square cost 400 to 800 CNY. But most people prefer to stay in Yangshuo, because the scenery there is the essence of Guilin’s mountains and rivers.
- Budget inns near West Street Yangshuo cost 150 to 300 CNY, and pastoral homestays around Yulong River and Ten-mile Gallery cost 200 to 500 CNY.
- High-end resort hotels start from 2000 CNY per night.
- Stilted houses on Longji Rice Terraces cost more than 100 CNY in the off-season, and 200 to 400 CNY in the peak season, with simple conditions but great views.
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
Comparison of Ticket Costs Between Zhangjiajie and Guilin
In terms of tickets, Zhangjiajie’s expenses are significantly higher than Guilin’s, mainly because the scenic area is large and there is much internal transportation.
Main Tickets in Zhangjiajie
- Wulingyuan Core Scenic Area: Ticket 228 CNY, valid for four days, including environmental protection vehicles.
- Tianzi Mountain Cableway: one-way 72 CNY, Bailong Elevator: one-way 65 CNY, Huangshizhai Cableway: one-way 65 CNY.
- Three Cableways and One Elevator Four-Trip Package: 238 CNY, four rides available, more cost-effective than buying separately.
- Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park: Ticket 278 CNY, including round-trip large cableway.
- Grand Canyon Glass Bridge: Ticket 188 CNY.
If you visit all these main scenic spots, the total cost of tickets and cable cars per person exceeds 500 CNY. Money-saving tips: Tourists with good physical strength in Wulingyuan Scenic Area can take fewer cable cars, only buy tickets, and hike up and down the mountain on some sections, saving 100 to 200 CNY.
Main Tickets in Guilin
- Lijiang River Four-Star Cruise: about 210 CNY.
- Yulong River Bamboo Rafting: Charged by section, the classic Jinlongqiao to Jiuxian section double raft is about 255 CNY.
- Longji Rice Terraces: Ticket 80 CNY, round-trip cableway about 100 CNY.
- Yinziyan Cave 65 CNY, Elephant Trunk Hill 55 CNY, Xianggong Mountain 60 CNY.
Guilin’s tickets are much cheaper, with the most expensive Lijiang River cruise only costing more than 200 CNY. Many scenic spots in Guilin can be purchased separately, unlike Zhangjiajie which requires a large one-time ticket investment.
Comparison of Catering Costs Between Zhangjiajie and Guilin
The two places have completely different dining styles, but the daily cost is similar.
Dining in Zhangjiajie
Xiangxi Cuisine features sour, spicy and cured flavors. Sanxiaguo is the signature dish, a stew of pork intestines, pork tripe and walnut meat, with a per capita cost of 40 to 60 CNY. Tujia Cured Pork and Stewed Chicken with Rock Fungus are also worth trying.
- Dining inside the scenic spot is more expensive, a stir-fried dish 40 to 50 CNY, a bottle of water 5 to 8 CNY.
- It is recommended to eat in Wulingyuan Town outside the scenic spot, with a per capita cost of 30 to 50 CNY for a full meal.
- Daily cost: Breakfast 10 CNY, Lunch 30 CNY, Dinner 50 CNY, about 90 CNY per day.
Dining in Guilin
Guilin Rice Noodles are a common staple food, two liang of braised rice noodles 5 to 6 CNY, plus a braised egg less than 10 CNY for a full meal. Beer Fish is a famous dish in Yangshuo, about 60 to 80 CNY per jin of swordfish, a fish about two jin, suitable for two people to share.
- A regular meal on West Street Yangshuo costs 50 to 70 CNY per capita.
- Order a native chicken (about 100 CNY) plus two vegetables at a farmstay, 60 CNY per capita.
- Daily cost: Breakfast 8 CNY, Lunch 25 CNY, Dinner 50 CNY, more than 80 CNY per day.
There are many street snacks in Guilin with low cost.
Best Travel Time for Zhangjiajie and Guilin
Choosing the right time to travel can save more than 30% of your budget.
Best Seasons for Zhangjiajie
Spring from April to June and autumn from September to October are the most comfortable times, with suitable temperatures and clear mountain views, perfect for taking photos and hiking. It rains a lot in summer from July to August, and you may see sea of clouds, but it may affect the view. There are few tourists in winter from December to February, and you can enjoy snow scenery, but some plank roads may be closed due to ice, and tickets and accommodation drop to about 60% of the peak season prices.
- Peak season (March-November): Ticket about 228 CNY, accommodation doubles, inns in Wulingyuan rise from 150 CNY to 400 CNY.
- Off-season (December-February): Ticket about 90 CNY, much cheaper.
- It is not recommended to travel during May Day, National Day and summer vacation, as you may wait two hours to take the cable car.
Best Seasons for Guilin
April to October is the best travel time. The misty Lijiang River scenery is good in spring from April to May, and Longji Rice Terraces begin to fill with water. The air is fresh in autumn from September to October, the visibility of Lijiang River is high, and Longji Rice Terraces are golden.
- Summer from June to August has abundant water, suitable for rafting, but occasional rainstorms and hot and humid weather.
- Winter from November to March of the next year is cold, the water level of Lijiang River is low, the scenery is affected, but accommodation is cheap.
- Accommodation prices double in peak season, especially homestays in Yangshuo.
If you have a limited budget and don’t mind low temperatures, traveling in the off-season has the highest cost performance. For the best scenery, spring and autumn are the best choices.
Yulong River, Yangshuo, Guilin
Comparison of Tour Modes Between Zhangjiajie and Guilin
Independent travel is suitable for people who like to plan their own routes. The advantage is freedom, you can arrange your own time. The disadvantage is that you may not be able to buy tickets for popular scenic spots in the peak season, for example, tickets for Tianmen Mountain Cableway in Zhangjiajie often need to be booked in advance.
- Independent travel per capita cost in Zhangjiajie: 2500 to 3500 CNY (including round-trip transportation).
- Independent travel per capita cost in Guilin: 2000 to 3000 CNY.
- Do your homework in advance, book tickets and accommodation by yourself to save costs.
Group tours are suitable for tourists who don’t want to handle things by themselves, or travel with the elderly or children. There are many one-day and two-day pure play small group tours locally.
- One-day tour of Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan including tickets, environmental protection vehicles, lunch and tour guide: about 400 to 500 CNY.
- The advantage is worry-free, no need to queue up to buy tickets by yourself, and the tour guide helps plan the route.
- The disadvantage is fixed itinerary and low freedom.
If you don’t want to arrange everything by yourself and don’t want to join a large group, you can find a professional travel agency to assist in planning. China Dragon Travel specializes in in-depth tours in China, and can arrange itineraries, handle tickets and accommodation according to your needs with transparent prices.
How to Choose Between Zhangjiajie and Guilin Based on Your Needs
Back to the original question: Which is more worth visiting, Zhangjiajie or Guilin? Both places are worth visiting, and the choice depends on your personal travel needs.
Conditions for Choosing Zhangjiajie
- Like spectacular natural landscapes and are interested in unique peaks.
- Have good physical strength and do not mind climbing mountains and long-distance walking.
- Want to take satisfying landscape photos.
- Have a slightly flexible budget (higher costs for tickets and cable cars).
Conditions for Choosing Guilin
- Want a relaxing holiday without too much tiredness.
- Like pastoral scenery and water views.
- Travel with the elderly or children.
- Have a limited budget and hope for lower costs on tickets and catering.
No matter which one you choose, it is recommended to make a plan in advance. If you go to Zhangjiajie in peak season, you may not be able to travel without booking tickets and accommodation in advance. The peaks of Zhangjiajie and the water views of Guilin are both landscapes worth a special trip. There is no need to struggle which is better, just judge which one is more suitable for your situation. Make a choice according to the above comparison and set off.
