Which place is cheaper, Harbin or Guilin?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Guilin 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 Guilin and Harbin can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Guilin or Harbin?
Guilin
Guilin is a city in Southern China situated on the west bank of the Li River with Hunan to the north. Its name means, "Forest of Sweet Osmanthus," owing to the large number of fragrant Sweet Osmanthus trees located in the city. Products like tea, sugar, and wine, can be made from the tree and are found in many shops throughout Guilin. A popular tourist destination, the city is renowned for its scenery of karst topography with unique mountains jutting out of the urban landscape.
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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China.
-
Guilin Prices
China PricesHarbin Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGuilin $90Harbin $70
The average daily cost (per person) in Guilin is $90, while the average daily cost in Harbin is $70. 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 Guilin and Harbin in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGuilin $37Harbin $22
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGuilin $74Harbin $44
Compare Hotels in Guilin and Harbin
Looking for a hotel in Guilin 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Guilin Hotel Prices and Harbin Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Guilin $6.23Harbin $1.62
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Guilin
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Guilin are as follows:
-
Taxi$2.99
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guilin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guilin:
- Yangshuo Via Ferrata with Round way private transfer from Guilin hotel: $120
- Transfer from Guilin Liangjiang Airport to Guilin City Center: $91
- Transfer from Guilin Hotels to Yangshuo Town: $47
- Private Transfer: Guilin to/from Zhangjiajie/Fenghuang: $256
- Private Transfer: Guilin Airport to Yangshuo Hotel: $115
- Private Transfer from/to Zhangjiajie to Guilin: $387
- Private Transfer from Yangshuo/Guilin to Sanjiang and stops Longji Rice Terraces: $160
- Private Transfer from Haikou (HAK) airport to/from Sanya hotel: $120
- Private Transfer from Guilin to Zhaoxing and stops at Longji terraces: $168
- Private Transfer from Guilin to Zhaoxing and stops at Chengyang Dong Village: $197
- Private Transfer from Guilin to Fenghuang and stops at Longji rice terraces area: $267
- Private Transfer from Guilin to Fenghuang and stops at Hongjiang: $267
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 City Car Transfer Service with Driver: $198
- Harbin Ice Festival Tickets and Transfer Service: $148
- Harbin Private Arrival Transfer: Airport to Hotel: $88
- Harbin Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Airport: $88
- 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 North Railway Station to Harbin City Hotel: $100
- Private Arrival Transfer from Harbin South Railway Station to Harbin City Hotel: $80
Is it cheaper to fly into Guilin or Harbin?
Prices for flights to both Harbin and Guilin 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 dayGuilin $42Harbin $26
Typical Food Prices in Guilin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Guilin:
-
Fresh Coconut Drink$1.49
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guilin
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Guilin.
- Wukong Guilin Neighborhood Food Tour: $69
- Countryside Cycling 1-day Tour with Cooking Class: $306
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 Dumpling Cooking Class: $154
- Private Full Day Tour to Harbin Beifang Forest Zoo and Optional Seafood Dinner: $261
- Harbin Cultural Tour at Zhongyang Dajie to Baluoke with Dinner: $300
- Hot Spring Experience with Hot Pot Dinner in Harbin: $300
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Guilin $30Harbin $57
Typical Entertainment Prices in Guilin
Here are a few typical costs in Guilin for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
Entrance to the Caves$18
Tours and Activities in Guilin
Here are a few actual costs in Guilin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1 Day Congjiang Ethnic Dong Village Private Tour from Guilin: $219
- 1 Day Guilin Sanjiang Tour to Dong Villages: $169
- 1 Day Guilin Tour: Village Visit, Waterfall Viewing, Hiking: $230
- 1 Day Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo with Private Guide: $209
- 1 Day Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo with Private Guide & Driver: $209
- 1 Day Li River Tour with Xingping Town & Xianggong Mountain: $209
- 1 Day Private Cruise Tour at Li River from Guilin with Biking: $198
- 1 Day Private Longji Rice Terraces and Minority Village Tour: $202
- 1 Day Private Tour: Li River Cruise from Guilin & Yangshuo Biking: $88
- 1 Day Relaxing Li River Cruise Private Tour with the 4 Star boat: $251
- 1 Day Tour: Li River Hiking, Xianggong Hill & Yulong River Biking: $119
- 1 Day Yangshuo Adventure Balloon Helicopter and Cave Experience: $208
Tours and Activities in Harbin
For Harbin, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Harbin Private Day Tour to Volga Manor: $11
- Harbin Ice and Snow World Entry Ticket: $66
- Half Day Tour for Harbin Guandong Ancient Lane and Wood Sculpture Museum: $120
- Harbin Ice Lantern Show and Center Street Tour: $150
- 1-Day Harbin Private Tour: $168
- Private Half Day City Tour including Russian Town and Harbin Ropeway Ride: $198
- Small Group Night Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow World: $199
- 3 Hours Harbin Frozen Songhua River Sightseeing: $200
- 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
- Private Half Day Tour to Unit 731 Museum and Sites in Harbin: $218
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayGuilin $6.19Harbin $8.47
Sample the Local Flavors in Harbin
Also in Harbin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Half-Day Private Harbin Beer Museum and Brewery Tour: $250
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Guilin and Harbin, we can see that Guilin 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 Guilin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Guilin 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 Guilin Expensive? and Is Harbin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Guilin or Harbin?
Harbin has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Guilin. When comparing the sizes of Guilin 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 Guilin 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 Guilin or Harbin in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Guilin as well as Harbin.
In the summer, Guilin is a little warmer than Harbin. Typically, the summer temperatures in Guilin in July average around 30°C (86°F), and Harbin averages at about 24°C (75°F).
It's quite rainy in Harbin. Guilin receives a lot of rain in the summer. Guilin usually gets more rain in July than Harbin. Guilin gets 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 153 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyGuilin 30°C (86°F)Harbin 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Guilin or Harbin in the Autumn?
Both Harbin and Guilin are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.
In October, Guilin is generally much warmer than Harbin. Daily temperatures in Guilin average around 23°C (73°F), and Harbin fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).
In October, Guilin usually receives more rain than Harbin. Guilin gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGuilin 23°C (73°F)Harbin 7°C (44°F)
Should I visit Guilin or Harbin in the Winter?
Both Harbin and Guilin during the winter are popular places to visit.
Harbin can get quite cold in the winter. Guilin is much warmer than Harbin in the winter. The daily temperature in Guilin averages around 10°C (49°F) in January, and Harbin fluctuates around -18°C (-0°F).
Guilin usually gets more rain in January than Harbin. Guilin gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGuilin 10°C (49°F)Harbin -18°C (-0°F)
Should I visit Guilin or Harbin in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Guilin and Harbin.
In the spring, Guilin is much warmer than Harbin. Typically, the spring temperatures in Guilin in April average around 20°C (68°F), and Harbin averages at about 8°C (46°F).
Guilin gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Guilin usually receives more rain than Harbin. Guilin gets 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 21 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilGuilin 20°C (68°F)Harbin 8°C (46°F)
Typical Weather for Harbin and Guilin
| Guilin | Harbin | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (49°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | -18°C (-0°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (51°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | -14°C (7°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 15°C (59°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | -3°C (26°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 20°C (68°F) | 263 mm (10.3 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 334 mm (13.2 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 320 mm (12.6 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (86°F) | 168 mm (6.6 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Nov | 17°C (63°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | -4°C (24°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (53°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | -14°C (7°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
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.