Which place is cheaper, Dewa Sanzan or Harbin?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Harbin or Dewa Sanzan?
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 Dewa Sanzan can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Harbin or Dewa Sanzan?
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.
Dewa Sanzan
Dewa Sanzan, Japan is a picturesque city in the Tohoku region which consists solely of the three sacred mountains: Mount Haguro, Mount Gassan, and Mount Yudono. The mountains are considered holy to the Japanese Shinto religion and are a popular pilgrimage site, especially since many ascetic pilgrims live in the mountains and are occasionally spotted throughout the various hiking trails.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in China, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, The Best Contiki Tours to Japan, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan.
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Harbin Prices
China PricesDewa Sanzan Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHarbin $66Dewa Sanzan $86
The average daily cost (per person) in Harbin is $66, while the average daily cost in Dewa Sanzan is $86. 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 Dewa Sanzan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHarbin $21Dewa Sanzan $29
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHarbin $42Dewa Sanzan $58
Compare Hotels in Harbin and Dewa Sanzan
Looking for a hotel in Harbin or Dewa Sanzan? 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: Dewa Sanzan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Harbin $1.52Dewa Sanzan $23
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Harbin
Also for Harbin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared Transfer Service to Ice and Snow World, Sun Island Snow Festival: $250
- Private HRB Airport Departure Transfer from Harbin City Hotel: $70
- Private HRB Airport Arrival Transfer to Harbin City Hotel: $70
- Private Full Day Transfer Service to Harbin Top Winter Attractions: $198
- Private Departure Transfer to Harbin North Railway Station from Harbin City: $100
- Private Arrival Transfer from Harbin West Railway Station to Harbin City Hotel: $65
- Harbin Volga Manor Private Transfer Service with Entry Tickets: $300
- Harbin Taiping Airport Chauffeur Service, Harbin Airport Transfer, Pick up.: $59
- Harbin Ice Festival Tickets and Transfer Service : $148
- Harbin Catholic Church Car Transfer Service: $80
- Harbin Airport (HRB) : Private Arrival Transfer with Meet & Greet Service: $32
- 4 Hour Private Transfer to Sun Island Snow Sculptures: $100
Is it cheaper to fly into Harbin or Dewa Sanzan?
Prices for flights to both Dewa Sanzan 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 $24Dewa Sanzan $43
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
- Harbin Cultural Tour at Zhongyang Dajie to Baluoke with Dinner: $80
- Central Street, Baluoke Village, and Dinner Tour: $90
- Harbin Dumpling Cooking Class: $154
- Hot Spring Experience with Hot Pot Dinner in Harbin: $300
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Harbin $53Dewa Sanzan $9.56
Tours and Activities in Harbin
For Harbin, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Harbin Igloos Hot Pot Private Tour: $300
- Private Night Tour to Harbin Ice Festival: $261
- 1-Day Harbin Private Tour: $168
- 2-Day Harbin City Private Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $280
- All-Inclusive Harbin City History and Local Culture Private Day Tour: $300
- Group Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow World plus Sun Island Snow Sculpture Festival: $298
- Half Day Tour for Harbin Guandong Ancient Lane and Wood Sculpture Museum: $104
- Half-Day Private Old Harbin Street Walking Tour with Meal: $300
- Harbin City Guided Tour to Zhongyang Street and Sophia Church: $180
- Harbin City Private Day Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $200
- Harbin Ice Festival New Year Eve Countdown Group Tour on December 31: $200
- Harbin Ice Lantern Show and Center Street Tour: $150
Tours and Activities in Dewa Sanzan
For Dewa Sanzan, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Mount Haguro E-Bike Sightseeing Tour in Yamagata, Japan: $202
- Tsuruoka & Dewa-Sanzan Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide: $249
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHarbin $7.96Dewa Sanzan $7.53
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 Harbin and Dewa Sanzan, we can see that Dewa Sanzan 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 Dewa Sanzan would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dewa Sanzan 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 Dewa Sanzan Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Harbin or Dewa Sanzan?
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.
Should I visit Harbin or Dewa Sanzan in the Summer?
Both Dewa Sanzan and Harbin are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the hiking are the main draw to Dewa Sanzan this time of year.
Harbin is around the same temperature as Dewa Sanzan in the summer. The daily temperature in Harbin averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Dewa Sanzan fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Dewa Sanzan. It's quite rainy in Harbin. In July, Harbin usually receives less rain than Dewa Sanzan. Harbin gets 153 mm (6 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 191 mm (7.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHarbin 24°C (75°F)Dewa Sanzan 23°C (74°F)
Should I visit Harbin or Dewa Sanzan in the Autumn?
Both Dewa Sanzan and Harbin during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Dewa Sanzan for the hiking trails.
In the autumn, Harbin is much colder than Dewa Sanzan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Harbin in October average around 7°C (44°F), and Dewa Sanzan averages at about 13°C (56°F).
Dewa Sanzan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Harbin usually gets less rain in October than Dewa Sanzan. Harbin gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHarbin 7°C (44°F)Dewa Sanzan 13°C (56°F)
Should I visit Harbin or Dewa Sanzan in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Harbin and Dewa Sanzan. Also, many visitors come to Dewa Sanzan in the winter for the museums and the cuisine.
Dewa Sanzan can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Harbin. In January, Harbin is generally much colder than Dewa Sanzan. Daily temperatures in Harbin average around -18°C (-0°F), and Dewa Sanzan fluctuates around -1°C (30°F).
Dewa Sanzan receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Harbin usually receives less rain than Dewa Sanzan. Harbin gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHarbin -18°C (-0°F)Dewa Sanzan -1°C (30°F)
Should I visit Harbin or Dewa Sanzan in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Harbin as well as Dewa Sanzan.
Harbin is cooler than Dewa Sanzan in the spring. The daily temperature in Harbin averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Dewa Sanzan fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).
Harbin usually gets less rain in April than Dewa Sanzan. Harbin gets 21 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHarbin 8°C (46°F)Dewa Sanzan 9°C (47°F)
Typical Weather for Dewa Sanzan and Harbin
| Harbin | Dewa Sanzan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -18°C (-0°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | -1°C (30°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) |
| Feb | -14°C (7°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | -1°C (30°F) | 151 mm (6 in) |
| Mar | -3°C (26°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Apr | 8°C (46°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| May | 15°C (60°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 153 mm (6 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 191 mm (7.5 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 174 mm (6.8 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 154 mm (6.1 in) |
| Oct | 7°C (44°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Nov | -4°C (24°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 207 mm (8.1 in) |
| Dec | -14°C (7°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 231 mm (9.1 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.