Which place is cheaper, Harbin or Chongqing?
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 Chongqing or Harbin?
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 Chongqing and Harbin. 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: Chongqing or Harbin?
Chongqing
Chongqing, China is a large city in central China and one of only four cities in the country that are not part of a province. While Chongqing is famous for being an economically important city, brush away its industrial surface and you'll find a naturally beautiful city with plenty of hidden wonders. Although you'll find many expats in the city, English is rarely spoken, meaning knowing some basic Mandarin will come in handy.
Harbin
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 10-Day Tours in China, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China, The Best 2-Week Tours in China, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China.
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Chongqing Prices
China PricesHarbin Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChongqing $111Harbin $69
The average daily cost (per person) in Chongqing is $111, while the average daily cost in Harbin is $69. 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 Chongqing and Harbin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChongqing $53Harbin $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChongqing $106Harbin $44
Compare Hotels in Chongqing and Harbin
Looking for a hotel in Chongqing 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chongqing $20Harbin $1.60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chongqing
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chongqing:
- [Airport Transfer] Chongqing Airport ⇔ Chongqing City Transfer ☆ High reputation for service! : $23
- Private Transfer: Chongqing Jiangbei Airport (CKG) to Chaotianmen Cruise Pier: $29
- Private Transfer: Chongqing Chaotianmen Cruise Pier to Airport (CKG): $30
- Private Transfer from Chongqing hotel to Chongqing Train Station: $27
- Private Transfer from Chongqing Railway Station to City Hotel: $52
- Private Round-Trip Transfer: Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport(CKG): $60
- Private Departure Transfer:Hotel to Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport CKG: $39
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chongqing Chaotianmen Cruise Pier: $29
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Any Railway Station in Chongqing: $24
- Private Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport Arrival Transfer to City Hotels: $49
- Private Chongqing International Airport Departure Transfer from City Hotels: $49
- Private Arrival Transfer:Any Chongqing Railway Station to Hotel: $24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Harbin
Also for Harbin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 4 Hour Private Transfer to Sun Island Snow Sculptures: $100
- Harbin Airport(HRB) Private Arrival Transfer: Meet&Greet Service: $36
- Harbin Airport, Harbin City, Heilongjiang Province Transfer Service: $27
- Harbin City Car Transfer Service with Driver: $198
- Harbin Ice Festival Tickets and Transfer Service: $148
- Harbin Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Airport: $88
- Harbin Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Railway Station: $55
- Harbin Sun Island Snow Fair tickets and Transfer Service: $128
- Harbin Taiping Airport Chauffeur Service, Harbin Airport Transfer, Pick up.: $59
- Harbin Volga Manor Private Transfer Service with Entry Tickets: $300
- Private Arrival Transfer from Harbin East Railway Station to Harbin City Hotel: $60
- Private Arrival Transfer from Harbin Railway Station to Harbin City Hotel: $55
Is it cheaper to fly into Chongqing or Harbin?
Prices for flights to both Harbin and Chongqing 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 dayChongqing $45Harbin $26
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chongqing
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chongqing.
- Qingyu Banquet Experience with Show and Dinner: $51
- Be a Chongqinger - wet market tour &cooking class & paper cutting: $59
- Half-Day Cultural Immersion with Cooking Class: $80
- Food Tour with Old Town and Magical Night Views: $93
- Chongqing Food Tour: $93
- Chongqing City Private Night Tour with Hot Pot Dinner or Massage: $150
- Chongqing Port Transfer Service with Half-Day Tour and Hot Pot Dinner: $245
- From Port Transfer with Half Day Tour and Hot Pot Dinner: $246
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Harbin
For Harbin, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Dinner Show with Costumes and Performances: $29
- Central Street, Baluoke Village, and Dinner Tour: $90
- Harbin Cultural Tour at Zhongyang Dajie to Baluoke with Dinner: $150
- Harbin Private City and Food Tour: $200
- Private Full Day Tour to Harbin Beifang Forest Zoo and Optional Seafood Dinner: $261
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chongqing $14Harbin $56
Tours and Activities in Chongqing
Here are a few actual costs in Chongqing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1 Day Chongqing Adventures 18 Steps Laojun Cave and Huangjueya: $195
- 1 Day Private Tour to UNESCO Dazu Rock Carvings from Chongqing: $166
- 1 Day Private tour to Chongqing Wulong National Geology Park: $179
- 1-Day Chongqing City Private Tour with the Hot pot Lunch: $157
- 3Days Chongqing Cyber City✖ Wulong Karst Cave Adventure: $750
- 4D3N Yangtze River Victoria Cruise: Chongqing to Yichang: $628
- All-In-One Chongqing Trendy Spots Private Tour: $230
- Authentic Chongqing Walking Tour: Explore History & Local Vibe: $98
- Best of Chongqing One Day Tour: Stilwell Museum, Arhat Temple, Eling Park, Panda: $197
- Century Cruises Chongqing to Yichang Yangzte River Tour: $61
- Chinese calligraphy experience: $42
- Chong Qing : 1949 theater historical Show Ticket: $39
Tours and Activities in Harbin
For Harbin, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Harbin Ice and Snow World Ticket Booking: $66
- Admission Ticket to Ice and Snow World: $75
- Harbin Summer Indoor Ice and Snow World Tour: $136
- Harbin Ice Lantern Show and Center Street Tour: $150
- 1-Day Harbin Private Tour: $168
- Harbin Private Day Tour to Yabuli ski Resort: $170
- Private Half Day City Tour including Russian Town and Harbin Ropeway Ride: $198
- Harbin City Walking Sightseeing: $198
- Small Group Night Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow World: $199
- Harbin Ice Festival New Year Eve Countdown Group Tour on December 31: $200
- Harbin City Private Day Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $200
- Harbin Private Day Tour to lce and Snow World and Sun Island: $213
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChongqing $7.39Harbin $8.39
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chongqing and Harbin, we can see that Chongqing 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 Chongqing would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Chongqing 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 Chongqing Expensive? and Is Harbin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chongqing or Harbin?
Chongqing has a larger population, and is about 23% larger than the population of Harbin. When comparing the sizes of Chongqing 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.
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.