Which place is cheaper, Harbin or Guangzhou?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Guangzhou and Harbin can help you decide which place is right for you.
With a population of more than 12 million, Guangzhou is the third largest city in China after Beijing and Shanghai. Though it has a long history, founded in 214 BC, the city has also many modern attractions, a mix of the old and new with temples and parks as well as skyscrapers and shopping centers. Its location on the Pearl River has contributed to this growth, making Guangzhou a major port and commercial hub.
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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in China, The Best 2-Week Tours in China, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, and The Best Adventure Tours to China.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Guangzhou is $89, while the average daily cost in Harbin is $55. 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 Guangzhou and Harbin in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Guangzhou 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.
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guangzhou:
Also for Harbin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Harbin and Guangzhou 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.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Guangzhou.
For Harbin, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Here are a few actual costs in Guangzhou for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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 Guangzhou and Harbin, we can see that Guangzhou 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 Guangzhou would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Guangzhou 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 Guangzhou Expensive? and Is Harbin Expensive?.
Harbin has a larger population, and is about 2% larger than the population of Guangzhou. When comparing the sizes of Guangzhou 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 Guangzhou as well as Harbin.
In the summer, Guangzhou is a little warmer than Harbin. Typically, the summer temperatures in Guangzhou in July average around 29°C (84°F), and Harbin averages at about 24°C (75°F).
It's quite rainy in Harbin. Guangzhou receives a lot of rain in the summer. Guangzhou usually gets more rain in July than Harbin. Guangzhou gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 153 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Harbin and Guangzhou are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.
In October, Guangzhou is generally much warmer than Harbin. Daily temperatures in Guangzhou average around 25°C (76°F), and Harbin fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).
In October, Guangzhou usually receives more rain than Harbin. Guangzhou gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Both Harbin and Guangzhou during the winter are popular places to visit.
Harbin can get quite cold in the winter. Guangzhou is much warmer than Harbin in the winter. The daily temperature in Guangzhou averages around 14°C (58°F) in January, and Harbin fluctuates around -18°C (-0°F).
Guangzhou usually gets more rain in January than Harbin. Guangzhou gets 43 mm (1.7 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 Guangzhou and Harbin.
In the spring, Guangzhou is much warmer than Harbin. Typically, the spring temperatures in Guangzhou in April average around 22°C (72°F), and Harbin averages at about 8°C (46°F).
Guangzhou gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Guangzhou usually receives more rain than Harbin. Guangzhou gets 182 mm (7.2 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 21 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Guangzhou | Harbin | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 14°C (58°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | -18°C (-0°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
Feb | 15°C (59°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | -14°C (7°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
Mar | 18°C (65°F) | 85 mm (3.4 in) | -3°C (26°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
Apr | 22°C (72°F) | 182 mm (7.2 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
May | 26°C (79°F) | 284 mm (11.2 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.1 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
Jul | 29°C (84°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 221 mm (8.7 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 172 mm (6.8 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
Oct | 25°C (76°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
Nov | 20°C (68°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | -4°C (24°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
Dec | 16°C (61°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | -14°C (7°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |