Which place is cheaper, Benxi or Harbin?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Harbin or Benxi?
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 Harbin and Benxi can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Harbin or Benxi?
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.
Benxi
Benxi, China is a city in the south east of the Liaoning Province in northeast China. The city itself is a major industrial hub, but is best known for the Benxi Shuidong National Park where you'll find the famous five million year old water cave. Benxi experiences cold winters, with weather being less enjoyable for touring from November through March. May through August see much warmer weather, getting up to the high 80's Fahrenheit in late summer. September and October are also good times to visit as temperatures cool to 60-70 degrees.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in China, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, The Best Adventure Tours to China, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHarbin $54Benxi $95
The average daily cost (per person) in Harbin is $54, while the average daily cost in Benxi is $95. 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 Harbin and Benxi in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHarbin $21Benxi $47
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHarbin $42Benxi $94
Compare Hotels in Harbin and Benxi
Looking for a hotel in Harbin or Benxi? 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.Harbin $1.50Benxi $31
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 Chauffeur Service, Harbin Airport Transfer: $27
- Private Arrival Transfer:Any Harbin Railway Station to City Hotel: $29
- Harbin Airport (HRB) : Private Arrival Transfer with Meet & Greet Service: $32
- Private Arrival Transfer from Harbin West Railway Station to Harbin City Hotel: $65
- Private HRB Airport Departure Transfer from Harbin City Hotel: $70
- Private HRB Airport Arrival Transfer to Harbin City Hotel: $70
- Harbin Taiping Airport Chauffeur Service , Harbin Airport Transfer,Pick up: $78
- Shared Night Transfer Service to Harbin Ice and Snow World: $85
- Harbin Private Transfer from Harbin Airport (HRB) to central Harbin: $114
- Harbin City Car Transfer Service with Driver: $168
- Private Full Day Transfer Service to Harbin Top Winter Attractions: $168
Is it cheaper to fly into Harbin or Benxi?
Prices for flights to both Benxi and Harbin 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 dayHarbin $14Benxi $30
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Harbin $53Benxi $7.31
Tours and Activities in Harbin
For Harbin, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 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
- 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 Customized Harbin City Day Tour by Public Transportation: $220
- Songhua River Boat Tour and Food Experience in Harbin: $230
- Full Day Private Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow Festival: $250
- Small-Group Tour in Summer: Harbin Sun Island, Indoor Ice and Snow World: $261
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHarbin $7.85Benxi $7.70
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Harbin and Benxi, we can see that Benxi 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 Benxi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Benxi 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 Harbin Expensive? and Is Benxi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Harbin or Benxi?
Harbin has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Benxi. When comparing the sizes of Harbin and Benxi, 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 Harbin or Benxi?
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 Harbin or Benxi in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Harbin as well as Benxi.
Harbin is around the same temperature as Benxi in the summer. The daily temperature in Harbin averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Benxi fluctuates around 25°C (78°F).
It's quite rainy in Benxi. Harbin receives a lot of rain in the summer. Harbin usually gets less rain in July than Benxi. Harbin gets 153 mm (6 in) of rain, while Benxi receives 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHarbin 24°C (75°F)Benxi 25°C (78°F)
Should I visit Harbin or Benxi in the Autumn?
Both Benxi and Harbin are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.
In the autumn, Harbin is much colder than Benxi. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Harbin in October average around 7°C (44°F), and Benxi averages at about 11°C (52°F).
In October, Harbin usually receives less rain than Benxi. Harbin gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Benxi receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHarbin 7°C (44°F)Benxi 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Harbin or Benxi in the Winter?
Both Benxi and Harbin during the winter are popular places to visit.
The weather in Benxi can be very cold. Harbin can be very cold during winter. In January, Harbin is generally much colder than Benxi. Daily temperatures in Harbin average around -18°C (-0°F), and Benxi fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).
Harbin usually gets less rain in January than Benxi. Harbin gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Benxi receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHarbin -18°C (-0°F)Benxi -10°C (14°F)
Should I visit Harbin or Benxi in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Harbin and Benxi.
Harbin is cooler than Benxi in the spring. The daily temperature in Harbin averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Benxi fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
In April, Harbin usually receives less rain than Benxi. Harbin gets 21 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Benxi receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHarbin 8°C (46°F)Benxi 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Benxi and Harbin
| Harbin | Benxi | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -18°C (-0°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | -10°C (14°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | -14°C (7°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | -7°C (20°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | -3°C (26°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Apr | 8°C (46°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| May | 15°C (60°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 153 mm (6 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 7°C (44°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Nov | -4°C (24°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
| Dec | -14°C (7°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | -7°C (20°F) | 12 mm (0.5 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.