Which place is cheaper, Harbin or Mandalay?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Mandalay or Harbin?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Mandalay or Harbin, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Mandalay or Harbin?
Mandalay
Located in Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) on the banks of the Irawaddy River, Mandalay is the nation's second largest city behind Yangon. It is centered on the restored Royal Palace and has a large population of Buddhist monks who frequent the city's many temples and monasteries.
Harbin
Harbin, China is the northernmost major city in the country, with a population of over 10 million. Harbin was founded in 1897 by Russia, which has resulted in a lot of Russian influence throughout the city and many Russian citizens. The city is most famous for their annual International Snow and Ice Festival, a two-month-long festival running from January through February of each year.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in China, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China.
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Mandalay Prices
Myanmar PricesHarbin Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMandalay $19Harbin $69
The average daily cost (per person) in Mandalay is $19, while the average daily cost in Harbin is $69. 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 Mandalay and Harbin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMandalay $8.65Harbin $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMandalay $17Harbin $44
Compare Hotels in Mandalay and Harbin
Looking for a hotel in Mandalay or Harbin? 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.Mandalay -Harbin $1.59
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mandalay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Mandalay:
- Private Transfer Of Mandalay To Bagan: $180
- Private Mandalay Airport Transfer: $27
- Private Land Transfer : Mandalay to Bagan: $139
- Mandalay To Bagan Transfer Tour: $180
- Inle [Heho] Airport Private Transfer : $46
- From Mandalay To Kalaw-NyaungShwe-Inle Lake Private Transfer: $230
- Bagan Land Transfer form Mandalay: $103
- 2 Days in Mandalay Region, 3 Night in Monywa and 4 Days to transfer Bagan: $260
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Harbin
Also for Harbin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 4 Hour Private Transfer to Sun Island Snow Sculptures: $100
- Harbin Airport(HRB) Private Arrival Transfer: Meet&Greet Service: $36
- Harbin Airport, Harbin City, Heilongjiang Province Transfer Service: $27
- Harbin Catholic Church Car Transfer Service: $80
- Harbin City Car Transfer Service with Driver: $198
- Harbin Ice Festival Tickets and Transfer Service: $148
- Harbin Private Arrival Transfer: Airport to Hotel: $88
- Harbin Private Arrival Transfer: Railway Station to Hotel: $88
- Harbin Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Airport: $88
- Harbin Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Railway Station: $55
- Harbin Private Transfer from Harbin Airport (HRB) to central Harbin: $124
- Harbin Private Transfer from Harbin central to Harbin Taiping Airport (HRB): $124
Is it cheaper to fly into Mandalay or Harbin?
Prices for flights to both Harbin and Mandalay 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 dayMandalay $10Harbin $26
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mandalay
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Mandalay.
- Myanmar traditional cooking class with local: $26
- Bamboo Bike Food Tour: $42
- Bicycle Food Tour in Mandalay: $45
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Harbin
For Harbin, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Dinner Show with Costumes and Performances: $29
- Central Street, Baluoke Village, and Dinner Tour: $90
- Harbin Cultural Tour at Zhongyang Dajie to Baluoke with Dinner: $150
- Harbin Private City and Food Tour: $200
- Private Full Day Tour to Harbin Beifang Forest Zoo and Optional Seafood Dinner: $261
- Hot Spring Experience with Hot Pot Dinner in Harbin: $300
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mandalay -Harbin $56
Tours and Activities in Mandalay
Here are a few actual costs in Mandalay for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Kayah Villages Full Day Tour (Pan Pet & Hta Nee La): $260
- 2 Days Private Tour in Mandalay: $176
- A Little Adventure Village Explore: $17
- Amarapura,Mingun,Sagaing,Innwa Sightseeing Tour: $110
- Amarapura,Sagaing,Innwa Sightseeing Tour: $95
- Amarapura,Sagging,Innwa/Ava Sightseeing: $75
- Ancient Cities, Pagodas, and Sunset Tour from Mandalay: $194
- Day Trip Tour From Mandalay To Pyin Oo Lwin: $130
- Full Day Adventure: $153
- Full day Adventure Trip in Mandalay & Amarapura: $61
- Half day to Mandalay city tour: $88
- Half-Day Private Tour to Mingun: $82
Tours and Activities in Harbin
For Harbin, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Harbin Private Day Tour to Volga Manor: $11
- Harbin Ice and Snow World Ticket Booking: $66
- Admission Ticket to Ice and Snow World: $75
- Harbi Hongmen Imperial Banquet Entry Ticket: $87
- Half Day Tour for Harbin Guandong Ancient Lane and Wood Sculpture Museum: $120
- Harbin Summer Indoor Ice and Snow World Tour: $136
- Harbin Ice Lantern Show and Center Street Tour: $150
- Private Half Day Tour Harbin ConfucianTemple and Temple of Bliss (Jile Si): $157
- Full Day Harbin Private Tour: $160
- 1-Day Harbin Private Tour: $168
- Harbin Private Day Tour to Yabuli ski Resort: $170
- Harbin City Guided Tour to Zhongyang Street and Sophia Church: $180
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMandalay -Harbin $8.33
Sample the Local Flavors in Harbin
Also in Harbin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Half-Day Private Harbin Beer Museum and Brewery Tour: $250
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mandalay and Harbin, we can see that Harbin is more expensive. And not only is Mandalay much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Mandalay would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mandalay 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 Harbin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Harbin than you might in Mandalay.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mandalay Expensive? and Is Harbin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mandalay or Harbin?
Harbin has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Mandalay. When comparing the sizes of Mandalay and Harbin, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
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.