Which place is cheaper, Harbin or Qingdao?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Qingdao 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.
Qingdao, China, located in the Shandong Province, is a very large city right on the Yellow Sea coast. The city, whose name means "The Green Island" due to it's gorgeous landscapes and interesting geography, was named China's most livable city in 2012. The city is rich in history, having almost become a German territory in 1897 and being occupied by the Japanese during WWI. Evidence of these occupiers is present in much of the architecture around the city, which includes a few Catholic and Protestant churches.
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 Cultural Tours in China, The Best Luxury Tours to China, The Best Budget Tours to China, and The Best Tours for Seniors to China.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Qingdao is $57, while the average daily cost in Harbin is $54. 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 Qingdao and Harbin in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Qingdao 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.
Also for Qingdao, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Also for Harbin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Harbin and Qingdao 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.
For Harbin, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
For Qingdao, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
For Harbin, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
When comparing the travel costs between Qingdao and Harbin, we can see that Qingdao is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Qingdao Expensive? and Is Harbin Expensive?.
Harbin has a larger population, and is about 97% larger than the population of Qingdao. When comparing the sizes of Qingdao 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.
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Both Harbin and Qingdao are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.
In July, Qingdao is generally around the same temperature as Harbin. Daily temperatures in Qingdao average around 25°C (77°F), and Harbin fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Harbin. It's quite rainy in Qingdao. In July, Qingdao usually receives more rain than Harbin. Qingdao gets 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 153 mm (6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Both Harbin and Qingdao during the autumn are popular places to visit.
Qingdao is much warmer than Harbin in the autumn. The daily temperature in Qingdao averages around 17°C (62°F) in October, and Harbin fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).
Qingdao usually gets more rain in October than Harbin. Qingdao gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Qingdao and Harbin.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Harbin. It's quite cold in Qingdao in the winter. In the winter, Qingdao is much warmer than Harbin. Typically, the winter temperatures in Qingdao in January average around -0°C (32°F), and Harbin averages at about -18°C (-0°F).
In January, Qingdao usually receives more rain than Harbin. Qingdao gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
The spring brings many poeple to Qingdao as well as Harbin.
In April, Qingdao is generally much warmer than Harbin. Daily temperatures in Qingdao average around 12°C (53°F), and Harbin fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).
Qingdao usually gets more rain in April than Harbin. Qingdao gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 21 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
Qingdao | Harbin | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | -0°C (32°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | -18°C (-0°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
Feb | 1°C (34°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | -14°C (7°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | -3°C (26°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
May | 17°C (62°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 162 mm (6.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
Oct | 17°C (62°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
Nov | 10°C (49°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | -4°C (24°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
Dec | 3°C (37°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | -14°C (7°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |