A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) vs. Paihia for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) or Paihia?

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 Paihia. 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 Paihia?

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.

Paihia

Paihia is a town on the North Island of New Zealand in the Bay of Islands region. It is about a three hours north of Auckland by car. For those visiting the Bay of Islands, it is the main town in the area and is located near the town of Russell and Kerikeri. There is a wharf in town where most ships depart from if you are planning on going out to explore the Bay of Islands. Paihia is a very small town with a population of about 1800 people. There is a fair climate all year round with temperatures ranging from sixty to seventy degrees Fahrenheit.

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


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

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) Prices
    China Prices
    Paihia Prices
    New Zealand Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) $72
    Paihia $99

The average daily cost (per person) in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) is $72, while the average daily cost in Paihia is $99. 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 Paihia in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) $25
    Paihia $33
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) $50
    Paihia $66
Compare Hotels in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) and Paihia

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


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: Paihia Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) $10
    Paihia $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
    $3.64

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Paihia

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

  • Bay Of Islands - Airport Transfers: $24

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

Prices for flights to both Paihia 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) $33
    Paihia $48

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) $27
    Paihia $34
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 Paihia

For Paihia, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Bay of Islands: 1 Hour Scenic Bay of Islands Tour: $29
  • 1 Hour Scenic Bay of Islands Tour: $30
  • Bay of Islands - Mini Tour (75-90 mins): $44
  • Bay of Islands - Mini Tour: (75-90mins): $45
  • Bay of Islands 30-minute Adventure Jet Boat Trip: $52
  • Bay of Islands 2-Hour Sundowner Evening Sailing Cruise: $56
  • Sundowner Evening Cruise - 2 hour evening sailing cruise with swim stop: $57
  • Bay of Islands: Late Afternoon Sailing Cruise: $58
  • Bay of Islands Waterfall Explorer Kayaking Tour: $58
  • Bay of islands Waterfall Cruise Kayaking Tour: $58
  • Bay of Islands Scenic Tour : $65
  • Hole in the Rock Fast Boat Ocean Adventure: $70

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) $16
    Paihia $22


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) and Paihia, we can see that Paihia 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 Paihia 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 Paihia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Paihia 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 Paihia Expensive?.