Which place is cheaper, Harbin or Beijing?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Beijing and Harbin 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.
Beijing is the capital of China and, with 21.5 million people, it is the second most populated city in the world after Shanghai. It is a city that keeps pockets of its history hidden in old neighborhoods or back alleys, despite the constant change and modernization that goes on around it. As the capital city of China, there is plenty of history and culture. You can still get yourself lost in one of the last remaining hutongs, which are old neighborhoods that remain untouched by the city's modernization. The alleys that weave between the old homes are lined with drying clothes, corner markets, and people going about their daily lives the way they have for centuries. Surrounding these hutongs you'll find modern buildings and a booming economy, all threatening to destroying these last bits of Beijing's history. Beijing offers a glimpse into a microcosm that represents the entire country of China. Make sure you give yourself enough time in China to truly experience Beijing. You can pass a lot of time soaking up life in the city, which remains as diverse as the country it resides within.
Harbin, China is the northernmost major city in the country, with a population of over 10 million. Harbin was founded in 1897 by Russia, which has resulted in a lot of Russian influence throughout the city and many Russian citizens. The city is most famous for their annual International Snow and Ice Festival, a two-month-long festival running from January through February of each year.
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.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Beijing is $77, while the average daily cost in Harbin is $54. 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 Beijing and Harbin in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Beijing or Harbin? 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.
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Beijing:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Beijing:
Also for Harbin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Harbin and Beijing 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.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Beijing:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Beijing.
For Harbin, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Here are a few typical costs in Beijing for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Here are a few actual costs in Beijing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
For Harbin, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Beijing:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Beijing and Harbin, we can see that Beijing is more expensive. And not only is Harbin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Harbin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Harbin 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 Beijing would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Beijing than you might in Harbin.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Beijing Expensive? and Is Harbin Expensive?.
Beijing has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Harbin. When comparing the sizes of Beijing and Harbin, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
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.
The summer brings many poeple to Beijing as well as Harbin. Many visitors come to Beijing in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Beijing is generally a little warmer than Harbin. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around 27°C (80°F), and Harbin fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
It's quite rainy in Harbin. Beijing receives a lot of rain in the summer. Beijing usually gets more rain in July than Harbin. Beijing gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 153 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Harbin and Beijing are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Beijing for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Beijing is much warmer than Harbin in the autumn. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around 14°C (56°F) in October, and Harbin fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).
In October, Beijing usually receives less rain than Harbin. Beijing gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Both Harbin and Beijing during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Beijing because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Harbin in the winter. The weather in Beijing can be very cold. In the winter, Beijing is much warmer than Harbin. Typically, the winter temperatures in Beijing in January average around -4°C (26°F), and Harbin averages at about -18°C (-0°F).
Beijing usually gets less rain in January than Harbin. Beijing gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Beijing and Harbin. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Beijing this time of year.
In April, Beijing is generally much warmer than Harbin. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around 14°C (57°F), and Harbin fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).
In April, Beijing usually receives more rain than Harbin. Beijing gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 21 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Beijing | Harbin | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | -4°C (26°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | -18°C (-0°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
Feb | -1°C (30°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | -14°C (7°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
Mar | 6°C (42°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) | -3°C (26°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
Apr | 14°C (57°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
May | 20°C (68°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
Jun | 25°C (76°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
Jul | 27°C (80°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
Aug | 25°C (78°F) | 182 mm (7.2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
Sep | 20°C (69°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
Oct | 14°C (56°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
Nov | 5°C (41°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | -4°C (24°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
Dec | -1°C (29°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | -14°C (7°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |