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

Should you visit Pondicherry or Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Pondicherry and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Pondicherry or Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)?

Pondicherry

Located on the eastern coast of India in the state of Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry has a long and interesting history of trade and war as the largest French colony in India. Today the French influence in the city remains, especially in the old quarters. This being said, Pondicherry very much embodies and east-meets-west culture.

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.

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


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

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Pondicherry is $33, while the average daily cost in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) is $57. 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 Pondicherry and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Pondicherry $16
    Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) $25
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Pondicherry $32
    Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) $50
Compare Hotels in Pondicherry and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)

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


Hotels in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)


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: Pondicherry Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Pondicherry $5.66
    Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) $9.99

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 Pondicherry or Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)?

Prices for flights to both Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) and Pondicherry 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
    Pondicherry $11
    Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) $19

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pondicherry

For Pondicherry, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Indian Cooking Class in Pondicherry: $28
  • French-Creole Cooking Class in Pondicherry with a Local Family: $78
  • South Indian Dinner With A Local Family In Pondicherry: $161
  • Cooking class in Pondicherry (with Lunch or Dinner): $289

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Pondicherry $11
    Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) $27

Tours and Activities in Pondicherry

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

  • Magical Pondicherry Markets Tour : $13
  • Spiritual Walk Tour Pondicherry: $13
  • Pondicherry Art Trails (2 Hours Guided Walking Tours): $13
  • Auroville Guided Walking Tour: $14
  • Heritage & Cultural Walking Tour of Pondicherry : $15
  • The Unique Pondicherry City Bike Tour : $18
  • Guided City Tour in Pondicherry with complimentary refreshments: $47
  • The Best of A Private Sightseeing Tour: $47
  • Sri Arunachaleswara Temple Tour From Pondicherry: $48
  • Private Walking Tour in the French Quarter of Pondicherry: $57
  • Best of the Pondicherry (Guided Full Day City Tour): $133
  • Day Trip to Mahabalipuram (Curated Private Sightseeing Experience): $150

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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Pondicherry $6.90
    Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) $15


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pondicherry and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain), we can see that Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) is more expensive. And not only is Pondicherry much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pondicherry would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pondicherry 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 Pondicherry.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pondicherry Expensive? and Is Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) Expensive?.