Which place is cheaper, Harbin or Shenzhen?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Shenzhen or Harbin?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Shenzhen and Harbin 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: Shenzhen or Harbin?
Shenzhen
Located in the Guangdong Province of southeastern China, Shenzhen is a metropolis that connects Hong Kong to China's mainland. It is one of China's most populous cities, inhabited by vast array of people from other Chinese regions. It is perhaps best known for it shopping, collection of amusement parks, green parks, museums and galleries, and a few historic sites. It is on UNESCO's Creative Cities list.
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 Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best Cultural Tours in China, The Best Luxury Tours to China, and The Best Budget Tours to China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayShenzhen $123Harbin $54
The average daily cost (per person) in Shenzhen is $123, 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 Shenzhen and Harbin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personShenzhen $89Harbin $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomShenzhen $178Harbin $42
Compare Hotels in Shenzhen and Harbin
Looking for a hotel in Shenzhen 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.Shenzhen $15Harbin $1.50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shenzhen
Also for Shenzhen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- [Airport Transfer] Shenzhen Airport 送 迎 Shenzhen City Transfer High reputation for service! : $32
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Hong Kong HTL-APT (HKG): $83
- Transfers anywhere in Hong Kong: $140
- Transfer Hong Kong to Hong Kong Airport by Luxury Van or Sedan: $111
- Transfer Hong Kong Airport to Hong Kong by Luxury Van or Sedan: $111
- Shenzhen to Shenzhen Airport (SZX) - Departure Private Transfer: $47
- Shenzhen Private Transfer from Shenzhen central to Shenzhen Bao'an Airport (SZX): $78
- Shenzhen Private Transfer from Shenzhen Bao'an Airport (SZX) to central Shenzhen: $78
- Shenzhen Bao'an Airport Private Arrival Transfer to City Center: $49
- Shenzhen Airport (SZX): Private Transfer to/from Shenzhen: $48
- Shenzhen Airport (SZX) to Round Trip Private Transfer: $93
- Shenzhen Airport (SZX) to Guangzhou - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $104
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Harbin
Also for Harbin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared Night Transfer Service to Harbin Ice and Snow World: $85
- Private HRB Airport Departure Transfer from Harbin City Hotel: $70
- Private HRB Airport Arrival Transfer to Harbin City Hotel: $70
- Private Full Day Transfer Service to Harbin Top Winter Attractions: $168
- Private Departure Transfer to Harbin West Railway Station from Harbin City Hotel: $60
- Private Departure Transfer to Harbin Railway Station from Harbin City Hotel: $50
- Private Arrival Transfer:Any Harbin Railway Station to City Hotel: $29
- Private Arrival Transfer to China's Snow Town from Harbin HRB Airport: $149
- Private Arrival Transfer from Harbin West Railway Station to Harbin City Hotel: $65
- Private Arrival Transfer from Harbin Railway Station to Harbin City Hotel: $55
- Harbin Taiping Airport Chauffeur Service, Harbin Airport Transfer, Pick up.: $59
- Harbin Taiping Airport Chauffeur Service , Harbin Airport Transfer,Pick up: $78
Is it cheaper to fly into Shenzhen or Harbin?
Prices for flights to both Harbin and Shenzhen 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 dayShenzhen $20Harbin $14
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Shenzhen
For Shenzhen, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Vegetarian Food Tour: $77
- Wet market tour & cooking class with local mum: $89
- Hong Kong Guided Dinner + Laser Show Lounge Entry (2023) | 200+ booked : $100
- Hong Kong Food Tour: Sham Shui Po District: $107
- Hong Kong Food Tour: Central and Sheung Wan Districts: $107
- Secret Food Tour With the Locals in Tin Hau Hong Kong w/ Private Tour Option: $109
- Private Food Tour With the Locals in Hong Kong: $141
- The 10 Tastings of Hong Kong With Locals: Private Street Food Tour : $159
- Hong Kong Food Tour with a Local: A Feast for Foodies 100% Personalized: $160
- Kowloon Street Food Tour with a Local: 100% Personalized & Private: $160
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Harbin
For Harbin, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 4-Hour Private Night Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow World with Dinner Options: $261
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Shenzhen $17Harbin $53
Tours and Activities in Shenzhen
For Shenzhen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Shenzhen Self-Guided Flexible Tour with Private Car and Driver : $86
- (Private class) Hong Kong gourmet baking experience class: Hong Kong-style egg tart + custard mooncake: $88
- 2.5-Hour Shenzhen City-Village Walking Tour: Back In The 90's & TikTok Influence: $51
- 4-Hour Private Hong Kong Layover Tour: $263
- 60 Minutes Virtual Reality Experience in Hong Kong: $37
- A Private Tour of Hong Kong with Mercedes-Benz: $275
- A Taste of Hong Kong: Private Tour With Locals : $125
- Aqua Luna: Evening Cruise at Victoria Harbour Hong Kong: $40
- Aqua Luna: Symphony of Lights Cruise in Hong Kong: $49
- Authentic Hong Kong Private Tour: $275
- Big Bus Hong Kong Open Top Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour: $50
- Cheung Chau Island Tour: $105
Tours and Activities in Harbin
For Harbin, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1-Day Harbin Private Tour: $130
- 2-Day Harbin City Private Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $280
- 4-Hour Private Tour of the Largest Indoor Ice and Snow Paradise: $136
- All-Inclusive Harbin Jewish Culture Private Day Tour: $300
- From Amazing Day Trip Including tickets: $400
- Full Day Private Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow Festival: $250
- Group Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow World plus Sun Island Snow Sculpture Festival: $298
- Half Day Tour for Harbin Guandong Ancient Lane and Wood Sculpture Museum: $104
- Harbin City Group Tour including Crossing Songhua River by Ropeway and Ice Swimming Show: $290
- Harbin City Guided Tour to Zhongyang Street and Sophia Church: $180
- Harbin City Private Day Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $200
- Private City Tour of Harbin: $360
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayShenzhen $19Harbin $7.85
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Shenzhen and Harbin, we can see that Shenzhen is more expensive. And not only is Harbin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Harbin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Harbin 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 Shenzhen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Shenzhen than you might in Harbin.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Shenzhen Expensive? and Is Harbin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Shenzhen or Harbin?
Harbin has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Shenzhen. When comparing the sizes of Shenzhen 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.
When is the best time to visit Shenzhen or Harbin?
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.
Should I visit Shenzhen or Harbin in the Summer?
Both Harbin and Shenzhen are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.
In July, Shenzhen is generally a little warmer than Harbin. Daily temperatures in Shenzhen average around 30°C (85°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 Shenzhen. In July, Shenzhen usually receives more rain than Harbin. Shenzhen gets 323 mm (12.7 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 153 mm (6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyShenzhen 30°C (85°F)Harbin 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Shenzhen or Harbin in the Autumn?
Both Harbin and Shenzhen during the autumn are popular places to visit.
Shenzhen is much warmer than Harbin in the autumn. The daily temperature in Shenzhen averages around 26°C (78°F) in October, and Harbin fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Shenzhen. Shenzhen usually gets more rain in October than Harbin. Shenzhen gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberShenzhen 26°C (78°F)Harbin 7°C (44°F)
Should I visit Shenzhen or Harbin in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Shenzhen and Harbin.
It's quite cold in Harbin in the winter. In the winter, Shenzhen is much warmer than Harbin. Typically, the winter temperatures in Shenzhen in January average around 16°C (60°F), and Harbin averages at about -18°C (-0°F).
In January, Shenzhen usually receives more rain than Harbin. Shenzhen gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryShenzhen 16°C (60°F)Harbin -18°C (-0°F)
Should I visit Shenzhen or Harbin in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Shenzhen as well as Harbin.
In April, Shenzhen is generally much warmer than Harbin. Daily temperatures in Shenzhen average around 23°C (73°F), and Harbin fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).
Shenzhen receives a lot of rain in the spring. Shenzhen usually gets more rain in April than Harbin. Shenzhen gets 154 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 21 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilShenzhen 23°C (73°F)Harbin 8°C (46°F)
Typical Weather for Harbin and Shenzhen
| Shenzhen | Harbin | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 16°C (60°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | -18°C (-0°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Feb | 16°C (61°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | -14°C (7°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 19°C (66°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | -3°C (26°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 23°C (73°F) | 154 mm (6.1 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| May | 27°C (80°F) | 325 mm (12.8 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (83°F) | 382 mm (15 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 393 mm (15.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 300 mm (11.8 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (78°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (70°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | -4°C (24°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Dec | 17°C (63°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | -14°C (7°F) | 5 mm (0.2 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.