Which place is cheaper, Harbin or Dalian?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Dalian or Harbin? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Dalian, China is a very large peninsula city located in the southernmost part of the Liaoning Province in northeast China. The area has a wealth of history, with roots in Russian and Japanese rule, resulting in unique architecture and many universities that attract foreign students and teachers. Dalian is also known for their beautiful green spaces and relaxing beaches which juxtapose a lot of the more industrial cities found throughout other areas of northern China.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Historical Tours in China, and The Best 10-Day Tours in China.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Dalian is $103, 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 Dalian and Harbin in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Dalian 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.
Also for Dalian, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Also for Harbin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Harbin and Dalian 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.
For Harbin, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dalian.
For Harbin, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dalian and Harbin, we can see that Dalian 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 Dalian would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dalian 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 Dalian Expensive? and Is Harbin Expensive?.
Harbin has a larger population, and is about 59% larger than the population of Dalian. When comparing the sizes of Dalian 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 destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Dalian and Harbin.
In July, Dalian is generally around the same temperature as Harbin. Daily temperatures in Dalian average around 24°C (75°F), and Harbin fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
Harbin receives a lot of rain in the summer. Dalian gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Dalian usually receives more rain than Harbin. Dalian gets 202 mm (8 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 153 mm (6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
The autumn brings many poeple to Dalian as well as Harbin.
Dalian is much warmer than Harbin in the autumn. The daily temperature in Dalian averages around 15°C (58°F) in October, and Harbin fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).
Dalian usually gets more rain in October than Harbin. Dalian gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Harbin and Dalian are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
Harbin can be very cold during winter. Dalian can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Dalian is much warmer than Harbin. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dalian in January average around -4°C (25°F), and Harbin averages at about -18°C (-0°F).
In January, Dalian usually receives more rain than Harbin. Dalian gets 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Both Harbin and Dalian during the spring are popular places to visit.
In April, Dalian is generally a little warmer than Harbin. Daily temperatures in Dalian average around 11°C (51°F), and Harbin fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).
Dalian usually gets more rain in April than Harbin. Dalian gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 21 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
Dalian | Harbin | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | -4°C (25°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) | -18°C (-0°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
Feb | -2°C (28°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | -14°C (7°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
Mar | 4°C (38°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | -3°C (26°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
Apr | 11°C (51°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
May | 17°C (62°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 202 mm (8 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
Aug | 25°C (77°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
Oct | 15°C (58°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
Nov | 7°C (44°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | -4°C (24°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
Dec | -0°C (32°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | -14°C (7°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |