Which place is cheaper, Koh Pha Ngan 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 Koh Pha Ngan?
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 Koh Pha Ngan. 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 Koh Pha Ngan?
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.
Koh Pha Ngan
Ko Phangan (or Pha Ngan) is best known for its full moon parties, attracting backpackers and budget travelers the world over for all-night parties on the beach. The clear, blue water, beautiful beaches, and tropical atmosphere bring the tourists to the island, and the low prices, diverse activities, and abundant amenities keep them here.
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 Budget Tours to Thailand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHuangshan (Yellow Mountain) $57Koh Pha Ngan $45
The average daily cost (per person) in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) is $57, while the average daily cost in Koh Pha Ngan is $45. 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 Koh Pha Ngan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHuangshan (Yellow Mountain) $25Koh Pha Ngan $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHuangshan (Yellow Mountain) $50Koh Pha Ngan $46
Compare Hotels in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) and Koh Pha Ngan
Looking for a hotel in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) or Koh Pha Ngan? 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: Koh Pha Ngan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) $9.99Koh Pha Ngan $13
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 Koh Pha Ngan
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Koh Pha Ngan are as follows:
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Scooter Rental$8.18
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Ferry Ride$14
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Gas for Scooter$3.00
Is it cheaper to fly into Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) or Koh Pha Ngan?
Prices for flights to both Koh Pha Ngan 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) $19Koh Pha Ngan $10
Typical Food Prices in Koh Pha Ngan
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Koh Pha Ngan:
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Noodle Lunch (for One)$1.09
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Sit Down Dinner (for Two)$11
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Smoothies (for Two)$1.09
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Ice Cream$0.55
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Juice$1.64
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3 Spring Rolls$0.82
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2 Pancakes$1.64
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) $27Koh Pha Ngan $17
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$63
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Two Cable Car Passes$22
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHuangshan (Yellow Mountain) $15Koh Pha Ngan $9.89
Typical Alcohol Prices in Koh Pha Ngan
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Koh Pha Ngan are as follows:
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Drinks at Irish Pub (for Two)$7.09
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) and Koh Pha Ngan, we can see that Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) is more expensive. And not only is Koh Pha Ngan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Koh Pha Ngan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Pha Ngan 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 Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) than you might in Koh Pha Ngan.
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 Koh Pha Ngan Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) or Koh Pha Ngan?
Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Koh Pha Ngan experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) or Koh Pha Ngan in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) and Koh Pha Ngan. Koh Pha Ngan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) is a little warmer than Koh Pha Ngan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) in July average around 29°C (85°F), and Koh Pha Ngan averages at about 24°C (76°F).
Koh Pha Ngan 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 more rain than Koh Pha Ngan. Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) gets 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHuangshan (Yellow Mountain) 29°C (85°F)Koh Pha Ngan 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) or Koh Pha Ngan in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) as well as Koh Pha Ngan. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Pha Ngan throughout the year.
In October, Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) is generally cooler than Koh Pha Ngan. Daily temperatures in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) average around 19°C (65°F), and Koh Pha Ngan fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
It's quite rainy in Koh Pha Ngan. Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) usually gets less rain in October than Koh Pha Ngan. Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to March in Koh Pha Ngan is the dry season. October and November in Koh Pha Ngan is the rainy season.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHuangshan (Yellow Mountain) 19°C (65°F)Koh Pha Ngan 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) or Koh Pha Ngan in the Winter?
Both Koh Pha Ngan and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Pha Ngan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) can be very cold during winter. Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) is much colder than Koh Pha Ngan in the winter. The daily temperature in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) averages around 4°C (40°F) in January, and Koh Pha Ngan fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
In January, Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) usually receives less rain than Koh Pha Ngan. Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Koh Pha Ngan is December to March.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHuangshan (Yellow Mountain) 4°C (40°F)Koh Pha Ngan 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) or Koh Pha Ngan in the Spring?
Both Koh Pha Ngan and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Pha Ngan year-round.
In the spring, Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) is cooler than Koh Pha Ngan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) in April average around 17°C (62°F), and Koh Pha Ngan averages at about 24°C (76°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) usually gets more rain in April than Koh Pha Ngan. Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) gets 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHuangshan (Yellow Mountain) 17°C (62°F)Koh Pha Ngan 24°C (76°F)
Typical Weather for Koh Pha Ngan and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)
| Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) | Koh Pha Ngan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 4°C (40°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (42°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 10°C (51°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (62°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 22°C (71°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Jun | 26°C (78°F) | 235 mm (9.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 185 mm (7.3 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 121 mm (4.7 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (65°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 240 mm (9.5 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (44°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 134 mm (5.3 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.