Which place is cheaper, Lake Tekapo or Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) or Lake Tekapo?
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 Lake Tekapo. 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 Lake Tekapo?
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.
Lake Tekapo
Tekapo is a lakeside town on the South Island of New Zealand, and it is part of the Mackenzie District of Canterbury. This is one of the bluest lakes in the country and is surrounded by the mighty mountains of the Southern Alps.
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 Tours for Seniors to New Zealand, and The Best G Adventures Tours to New Zealand.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHuangshan (Yellow Mountain) $57Lake Tekapo $75
The average daily cost (per person) in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) is $57, while the average daily cost in Lake Tekapo is $75. 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 Lake Tekapo in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHuangshan (Yellow Mountain) $25Lake Tekapo $59
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHuangshan (Yellow Mountain) $50Lake Tekapo $118
Compare Hotels in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) and Lake Tekapo
Looking for a hotel in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) or Lake Tekapo? 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: Lake Tekapo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) $9.99Lake Tekapo -
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$3.59
Is it cheaper to fly into Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) or Lake Tekapo?
Prices for flights to both Lake Tekapo 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 dayHuangshan (Yellow Mountain) $19Lake Tekapo $13
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) $27Lake Tekapo -
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$63
-
Two Cable Car Passes$22
Tours and Activities in Lake Tekapo
Here are a few actual costs in Lake Tekapo for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Indoor Māori Cultural Astronomy Experience: $30
- Dark Sky Indoor Cultural Astronomy Experience: $31
- Dark Sky Virtual Stargazing Experience: $41
- 45 Minutes Virtual Stargazing Experience in Lake Tekapo: $43
- High Country Farm Tour - Lake Tekapo: $59
- Alpine Stargazing Experience with a Guide: $59
- Chameleon Stargazing Shared Tour: $60
- 中文观星团 Chinese tour: $65
- Stargazing Experience: $65
- Crater Experience at Cowan's Observatory: $85
- From Tekapo: Mt Cook day tour via Pukaki, Tasman Glacier: $100
- Summit Experience - University of Canterbury Mt John Observatory: $114
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayHuangshan (Yellow Mountain) $15Lake Tekapo -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) and Lake Tekapo, we can see that Lake Tekapo is more expensive. And not only is Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) is in Asia and Lake Tekapo is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Lake Tekapo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lake Tekapo 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 Lake Tekapo Expensive?.
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.