Which place is cheaper, Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) or Sandakan?
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 Sandakan or Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sandakan or Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Sandakan or Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)?
Sandakan
Located on the Northeast side of the state of Sabah in Borneo is the city of Sandakan, which is the 2nd largest city in the country. Sandakan was a prosperous port town in the 1800s because of its exports of tobacco, timber, pearls, and ivory. However, this booming town that was formerly the administrative capital in North Borneo was bombed practically out of existence at the end of World War II.
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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia, The Best Adventure Tours to Malaysia, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China.
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Sandakan Prices
Malaysia PricesHuangshan (Yellow Mountain) Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySandakan $81Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) $72
The average daily cost (per person) in Sandakan is $81, while the average daily cost in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) is $72. 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 Sandakan and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSandakan $23Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSandakan $46Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) $50
Compare Hotels in Sandakan and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)
Looking for a hotel in Sandakan 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.
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: Sandakan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sandakan $37Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) $10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sandakan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sandakan:
- Private 1Way Transfer to/from Sandakan Airport, City or Sepilok: $38
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain):
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Shuttle Bus to Tangkou for Two$3.64
Is it cheaper to fly into Sandakan or Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)?
Prices for flights to both Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) and Sandakan 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 daySandakan $36Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) $33
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sandakan
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sandakan.
- Mangrove Cruise with Fireflies Tour Including Dinner from Sandakan: $64
- Sandakan : Fireflies and Mangrove Cruise with Dinner: $193
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sandakan $8.15Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) $27
Tours and Activities in Sandakan
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Sandakan are as follows:
- Private Tour: Half Day Sandakan City Tour Including Local Lunch: $60
- Private Sandakan City Must See 6 Highlights Tour with Guide & Car: $63
- From 7 Unmissable Local Stops Private Tour: $82
- Sukau Rainforest Wildlife and Dawn Cruises Tour in Sandakan: $83
- Sukau Rainforest Wildlife Journey & Dawn Cruises: $87
- Borneo Kinabatangan River Cruise Day Trip: $88
- Sandakan Private City Tour Orangutan Sun Bears and Rainforest: $89
- Kinabatangan River Cruise from Sandakan: $90
- Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre & Sepilok Orang Utan Rehab Centre Tour: $112
- Day Trip Sepilok Orang-utan And City Tour (Flight Excluded): $119
- Private Full Day Sepilok Orang Utan, Bornean Sun Bear and Rainforest Discovery Center Tour: $125
- Labuk Proboscis, Sepilok, Sun Bear, Sandakan City Tour & Lunch: $147
Typical Entertainment Prices in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) are as follows:
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Two Entrance Tickets$64
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Two Cable Car Passes$22
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySandakan $7.47Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) $16
When comparing the travel costs between Sandakan and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain), we can see that Sandakan 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 Sandakan Expensive? and Is Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Sandakan or Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)?
Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Sandakan experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Sandakan or Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) in the Summer?
Both Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) and Sandakan are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sandakan throughout the year.
In the summer, Sandakan is around the same temperature as Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). Typically, the summer temperatures in Sandakan in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) averages at about 29°C (85°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). It's quite rainy in Sandakan. In July, Sandakan usually receives around the same amount of rain as Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). Sandakan gets 195 mm (7.7 in) of rain, while Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) receives 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySandakan 27°C (81°F)Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) 29°C (85°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) in the Autumn?
Both Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) and Sandakan during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Sandakan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In October, Sandakan is generally a little warmer than Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). Daily temperatures in Sandakan average around 28°C (82°F), and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. Sandakan usually gets more rain in October than Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). Sandakan gets 253 mm (10 in) of rain, while Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSandakan 28°C (82°F)Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) 19°C (65°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Sandakan and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sandakan year-round.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). Sandakan is much warmer than Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) in the winter. The daily temperature in Sandakan averages around 26°C (80°F) in January, and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).
Sandakan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Sandakan usually receives more rain than Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). Sandakan gets 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain, while Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySandakan 26°C (80°F)Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Sandakan as well as Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). Sandakan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the spring, Sandakan is much warmer than Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). Typically, the spring temperatures in Sandakan in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) averages at about 17°C (62°F).
It's quite rainy in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the spring. Sandakan usually gets less rain in April than Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). Sandakan gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) receives 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSandakan 28°C (82°F)Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) 17°C (62°F)
Typical Weather for Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) and Sandakan
| Sandakan | Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (80°F) | 437 mm (17.2 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 268 mm (10.6 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 235 mm (9.2 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 195 mm (7.7 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 185 mm (7.3 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 213 mm (8.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 121 mm (4.7 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 253 mm (10 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 344 mm (13.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 462 mm (18.2 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
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.