Which place is cheaper, Guilin or Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) or Guilin?
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 Guilin. 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 Guilin?
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.
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.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHuangshan (Yellow Mountain) $57Guilin $67
The average daily cost (per person) in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) is $57, while the average daily cost in Guilin is $67. 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 Guilin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHuangshan (Yellow Mountain) $25Guilin $34
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHuangshan (Yellow Mountain) $50Guilin $68
Compare Hotels in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) and Guilin
Looking for a hotel in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) or Guilin? 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.Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) $10Guilin $5.77
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain):
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Shuttle Bus to Tangkou for Two$3.59
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Guilin
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Guilin are as follows:
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Taxi$2.76
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guilin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guilin:
- Private Arrival Transfer: Guilin Train Stations to Downtown Hotel: $17
- Private Departure Transfer from Hotel to Guilin Train Stations: $17
- Private Arrival Transfer: Guilin International Airport (KWL) to Downtown Hotel: $25
- Private Departure Transfer: Downtown Guilin Hotel to Airport (KWL): $25
- Private Airport Transfer:Guilin Hotel to Guilin Liangjiang International Airport: $35
- Private Airport Transfer: Guilin Liangjiang International Aiport to Guilin Hotel: $35
- Private Transfer from Guilin hotel to Yangshuo hotel: $37
- Guilin Railway stations Transfer Service: $37
- Transfer from Guilin Liangjiang Airport to Guilin City Center: $41
- Private Guilin Airport Transfer to Yangshuo: $42
- One Way Transfer Service between Guilin city and airport: $43
- Private Arrival Transfer: Guilin Train Stations to Yangshuo: $49
Is it cheaper to fly into Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) or Guilin?
Prices for flights to both Guilin 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
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Food Meals for one dayHuangshan (Yellow Mountain) $19Guilin $22
Typical Food Prices in Guilin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Guilin:
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Fresh Coconut Drink$1.38
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guilin
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Guilin.
- Half day Yangshuo Cooking lesson Small Group Tour: $62
- Full-Day Li-River with the 4 Star Luxury Boat VIP Room and Yangshuo Cooking Tour: $286
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) $27Guilin $28
Typical Entertainment Prices in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) are as follows:
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Two Entrance Tickets$64
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Two Cable Car Passes$22
Typical Entertainment Prices in Guilin
Here are a few typical costs in Guilin for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entrance to the Caves$17
Tours and Activities in Guilin
Here are a few actual costs in Guilin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Guilin Yangshuo & Longji Rice Terrace 4 days tour: $21
- 1-DAY Private Longji Rice Terraces and Minority Villages Tour: $45
- Guilin Four lakes night cruise with the English speaking driver from Guilin hotel: $47
- Guilin City Center Walking Group Tour at Night for Three Hours: $50
- Half-Day Self-Guided Yangshuo Xianggong Hill Sunrise Tour: $52
- Li River Cruise Ticket Booking (E-ticket & Seat Reservation): $54
- Private Full-Day City Tour with Fubo Hill: $59
- Full-Day Guilin Essence and Lifestyle Walking Tour: $69
- Private Bike Tour: Yangshuo Countryside: $72
- Kayaking Adventure with Local Guide: $72
- Yangshuo Old Town and Li River Cruise from Guilin: $72
- One Day Private Longshen Rice Terraces Tour Including Lunch: $73
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHuangshan (Yellow Mountain) $15Guilin $5.73
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) and Guilin, we can see that Guilin is more expensive. And not only is Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) 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 Huangshan (Yellow Mountain).
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 Guilin Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) or Guilin?
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 Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) or Guilin in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) and Guilin.
In the summer, Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) is around the same temperature as Guilin. Typically, the summer temperatures in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) in July average around 29°C (85°F), and Guilin averages at about 30°C (86°F).
Guilin receives a lot of rain in the summer. Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) usually receives less rain than Guilin. Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) gets 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHuangshan (Yellow Mountain) 29°C (85°F)Guilin 30°C (86°F)
Should I visit Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) or Guilin in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) as well as Guilin.
In October, Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) is generally cooler than Guilin. Daily temperatures in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) average around 19°C (65°F), and Guilin fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) usually gets less rain in October than Guilin. Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHuangshan (Yellow Mountain) 19°C (65°F)Guilin 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) or Guilin in the Winter?
Both Guilin and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) can be very cold during winter. Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) is much colder than Guilin in the winter. The daily temperature in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) averages around 4°C (40°F) in January, and Guilin fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).
In January, Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) usually receives less rain than Guilin. Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHuangshan (Yellow Mountain) 4°C (40°F)Guilin 10°C (49°F)
Should I visit Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) or Guilin in the Spring?
Both Guilin and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) during the spring are popular places to visit.
In the spring, Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) is cooler than Guilin. Typically, the spring temperatures in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) in April average around 17°C (62°F), and Guilin averages at about 20°C (68°F).
Guilin gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) usually gets less rain in April than Guilin. Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) gets 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHuangshan (Yellow Mountain) 17°C (62°F)Guilin 20°C (68°F)
Typical Weather for Guilin and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)
| Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) | Guilin | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 4°C (40°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (42°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Mar | 10°C (51°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (62°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 263 mm (10.3 in) |
| May | 22°C (71°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 334 mm (13.2 in) |
| Jun | 26°C (78°F) | 235 mm (9.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 320 mm (12.6 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 185 mm (7.3 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 121 mm (4.7 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 168 mm (6.6 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (65°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (44°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 47 mm (1.9 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.