A Travel Price Comparison for China Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) vs. Datong for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) or Datong?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) and Datong. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) or Datong?

Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)

In the heart of the Anhui Province of China is the stunning Mount Huangshan, or Yellow Mountain. This UNESCO World Heritage Site draws in visitors from around the world to take in the stunning views and conquer a new challenge.

Mount Huangshan is one of the most popular destinations in China. Because of this, most of the towns and regions around it also use the name Huangshan. Even the closest town, Tunxi, has begun going by Huangshan City. Keep this in mind as it could potentially cause some confusion in transit.

The whole of Huangshan has 36 separate peaks rising approximately 1,800 meters into the air. It is often covered in a spiritual-feeling mist that makes the peaks appear to live in the clouds. It has inspired artists for centuries, and is often thought to be the model for the typical mountain ranges seen in ancient Chinese paintings.

Datong

If you're looking for an old world city, with a renovated feel, you might want to spend some time in Datong, China. This city was once walled-in and the newest initiative is to rebuild their great wall to maintain their old world charm. Datong is definitely done a lot to make itself a contender in the world of vacation destinations.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in China, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China, The Best 2-Week Tours in China, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China.


Which place is cheaper, Datong or Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) is $57, while the average daily cost in Datong is $56. 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 Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) and Datong in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) $25
    Datong $23
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) $50
    Datong $46
Compare Hotels in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) and Datong

Looking for a hotel in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) or Datong? 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 Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)


Hotels in Datong


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.
    Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) $10
    Datong $12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain):


  • Shuttle Bus to Tangkou for Two
    $3.61

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Datong

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

  • Datong Yungang Airport Chauffeur Service , to Datong Transfer: $12
  • Private Transfer Service from Yungang Airport to Datong Hotel: $29
  • Transfer from Datong Railway Stations to Hotels in City Center: $35
  • Datong Hanging Temple Private Transfer from Hotel or Station: $69
  • Private Round-Trip Transfer to Hanging Temple: $98
  • Dunhuang Private Round Trip Transfer to Jiayuguan and Xuanbi Great Wall : $100
  • Private Round-Trip Transfer Service to Hanging Temple and Hengshan from Datong: $118
  • Private One Way Transfer from Datong to Beijing : $211

Is it cheaper to fly into Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) or Datong?

Prices for flights to both Datong and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) 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
    Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) $19
    Datong $20

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) $27
    Datong $25
Typical Entertainment Prices in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) are as follows:


  • Two Entrance Tickets
    $64
  • Two Cable Car Passes
    $22

Tours and Activities in Datong

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Datong.

  • Yungang Grottoes Entrance Ticket with Optional Guided Service: $22
  • Datong Private Self-guided Tour with Chartered Car: $26
  • YungangGrottoe HangingTemple Private Self-guided Tour by Car: $79
  • Datong Hanging Temple Wooden Pagoda Self-guided Tour by Car: $95
  • 4-8 hours Private Datong Great Wall Tour: $99
  • Private Datong Day Tour Arranged by Local Tour Guide Nancy: $129
  • Temples and Grottoes Private Full–Day Tour: $149
  • Private city tour Datong Yungang grottoes and Huayan Monastery: $160
  • Private Custom Tour: Datong City in One Day: $180
  • Datong Private Day Tour to Deshengbu and Zhenchuankou Great Wall with Lunch: $190
  • Datong Day Tour to Yungang Grottoes and Hanging Temple: $203
  • All-Inclusive Private Day Tour to Wooden Pagoda and Hanging Temple from Datong: $220

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) $15
    Datong $12


When comparing the travel costs between Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) and Datong, we can see that Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) Expensive? and Is Datong Expensive?.