A Travel Price Comparison for China Guangzhou vs. Harbin for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Guangzhou or Harbin?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

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.

Where Should I go: Guangzhou or Harbin?

Guangzhou

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

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.


Which place is cheaper, Harbin or Guangzhou?

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.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Guangzhou $58
    Harbin $21
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Guangzhou $116
    Harbin $42
Compare Hotels in Guangzhou and Harbin

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.

Hotels in Guangzhou


Hotels in Harbin


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Guangzhou $14
    Harbin $1.50

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guangzhou

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guangzhou:

  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Guangzhou HTL-APT (CAN): $62
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Guangzhou APT-HTL (CAN): $62
  • Private Transfer from Guangzhou South Railway Station to City Center : $49
  • Private Transfer from Guangzhou Int Airport to Shekou Port: $62
  • Private Transfer from Guangzhou City Center to South Railway Station: $49
  • Private Transfer between Guangzhou Chimelong Safari Park and City Center: $38
  • Private Round-Trip Airport Transfers in English-speaking Services: $197
  • Private Departure Transfer:Hotel to Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport(CAN): $35
  • Private Departure Transfer in English-speaking: Hotel to Airport: $99
  • Private Day Tour to Zhuhai from Guangzhou by Private Transfer: $230
  • Private Baiyun Airport Transfer to Guangzhou Railway or East Railway Station: $49
  • Private Baiyun Airport Arrival Transfer to Guangzhou South Railway Station : $53

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Harbin

Also for Harbin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Departure Transfer:City Hotel to Any Harbin Railway Station : $25
  • Harbin Airport (HRB) : Private Arrival Transfer with Meet & Greet Service: $32
  • Harbin Airport Chauffeur Service, Harbin Airport Transfer: $27
  • Harbin Airport Chauffeur Service, Harbin Airport Transfer: $40
  • Harbin City Car Transfer Service with Driver: $168
  • Harbin Private Transfer from Harbin central to Harbin Taiping Airport (HRB): $116
  • Harbin Taiping Airport Chauffeur Service, Harbin Airport Transfer, Pick up.: $59
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Harbin West Railway Station to Harbin City Hotel: $65
  • Private Arrival Transfer:Any Harbin Railway Station to City Hotel: $29
  • Private Departure Transfer to Harbin Railway Station from Harbin City Hotel: $50
  • Private Full Day Transfer Service to Harbin Top Winter Attractions: $168
  • Private HRB Airport Arrival Transfer to Harbin City Hotel: $70

Is it cheaper to fly into Guangzhou or Harbin?

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.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Guangzhou $19
    Harbin $14

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guangzhou

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Guangzhou.

  • Guangzhou Evening Food Tour Through Local Neighborhood: $65
  • 3-Hour Guangzhou Private Cooking Class with Local Market Visit : $165
  • Private Guangzhou Food Tour Michelin Restaurant&Local Food Market: $170
  • Private Guangzhou Night Tour with Canton Tower and Dim-Sum Dinner: $176
  • Cantonese Dim Sum Dinner with Pearl River Night Cruise in Guangzhou: $199
  • Guangzhou Pearl River Night Cruise and Din Tai Feng Dinner: $199
  • Guangzhou Private Night Tour: Lychee Bay, Beijing Road, Cruise, Dinner: $204
  • Private Cooking Canton Cuisine Cooking Class in Guangzhou : $266

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Harbin

For Harbin, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Harbin Dumpling Cooking Class: $154
  • 4-Hour Private Night Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow World with Dinner Options: $261
  • Hot Spring Experience with Hot Pot Dinner in Harbin: $300

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Guangzhou $18
    Harbin $53

Tours and Activities in Guangzhou

Here are a few actual costs in Guangzhou for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Guangzhou Self-Guided Tour with Private Car and Driver Service: $75
  • Liuxihe National Forest Park Private Day Tour from Guangzhou: $266
  • 1 Day Guangzhou City Highlight Layover Tour from Airport: $276
  • 3-Hour Private Tour to Museum of Nanyue King Tomb in Guangzhou: $91
  • 4 Hours Half Day Guangzhou Airport Layover Visa-Free Private Tour: $175
  • 4-Hour Guangzhou Walking Tour in Xiguan Area: $89
  • 4-Hour Private Flexible Guangzhou City Tour with Dim-Sum Option: $95
  • 4-Hour Private Tour to Museum of Nanyue King & Academy of Clan Chen in Guangzhou: $91
  • 7 Day Private Tour in Guangzhou: $150
  • All Inclusive Private Day Tour to Lotus Hill and Shawan Old Town from Guangzhou: $229
  • All-inclusive Guangzhou Historic City Private Day Tour: $192
  • Ancient Foshan Day Tour from Guangzhou: $201

Tours and Activities in Harbin

For Harbin, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Half Day Tour for Harbin Guandong Ancient Lane and Wood Sculpture Museum: $104
  • Private Harbin Ice Lantern Show at Zhaolin Park Night Tour with Zhongyang Pedestrian Street: $104
  • 1-Day Harbin Private Tour: $130
  • 4-Hour Private Tour of the Largest Indoor Ice and Snow Paradise: $136
  • Private Half Day City Tour including Russian Town and Harbin Ropeway Ride: $150
  • Private Harbin City Day Tour of Russian Historical Sites and Culture: $157
  • Private Half Day Tour Harbin ConfucianTemple and Temple of Bliss (Jile Si): $157
  • Harbin City Guided Tour to Zhongyang Street and Sophia Church: $180
  • Small Group Night Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow World: $198
  • Harbin City Private Day Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $200
  • Private Harbin Ice Festival Night Tour: $209
  • Private Half Day Tour to Unit 731 Museum in Harbin: $209

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Guangzhou $14
    Harbin $7.88


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?.


Which is Bigger, Guangzhou or Harbin?

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.


When is the best time to visit Guangzhou or Harbin?

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.

Should I visit Guangzhou or Harbin in the Summer?

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.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Guangzhou 29°C (84°F) 
    Harbin 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Guangzhou or Harbin in the Autumn?

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.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Guangzhou 25°C (76°F) 
    Harbin 7°C (44°F)

Should I visit Guangzhou or Harbin in the Winter?

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.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Guangzhou 14°C (58°F) 
    Harbin -18°C (-0°F)

Should I visit Guangzhou or Harbin in the Spring?

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.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Guangzhou 22°C (72°F) 
    Harbin 8°C (46°F)

Typical Weather for Harbin and Guangzhou

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)