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

Should you visit Similan Islands 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 Similan Islands 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: Similan Islands or Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)?

Similan Islands

There are places divers like, and there are places divers love. One of the most popular spots to visit the underwater world is at the national park of the Similan Islands in southern Thailand. With 140 square kilometers of land and nine islands, this area is a paradise for those ready to get their feet wet.

The park is made up of nine islands: Ko Bon, Ko Bayu, Ko Similan, Ko Payu, Ko Miang, Ko Payan, Ko Paying and Ko Huyong. If these names are a bit too similar for you to easily differentiate, don't worry. Most refer to each island with a number from 1 to 9. Two more islands were added to the park – Koh Bon and Koh Tachai – in 1998.

Even though the park was only established in 1982, the islands have been around for approximately 65 million years. They are the product of swells of hot magma during the Cretaceous period and smoothed over by glacial ice and water erosion. The reefs beneath the surface are approximately 5,000 years and therefor the oldest in Thailand. Luckily, because of its deep waters, the islands' underwater landscapes were essentially unharmed during the 2004 tsunami.

Each island is covered in lush, tropical jungle and white, sandy coastlines. There is fish of every shape, color and size – including the famous "Nemo" clownfish, batfish, barracudas, whale sharks and manta rays.

You'll want to plan your visit around monsoon season. So book a trip sometime between December and April. March is a particularly good time to visit as the winds have died down and the water is crystal clear. The park is closed from May to November.

There are a few tents and bungalows on some of the islands. They are government run, and you'll need to reserve them in advance. Many divers will simply take day trips, or sleep on board boats. There are several organized tour and boat options available out of Phuket, Khao Lak and Ranong. Both areas will likely offer day trips and live-aboard cruises. These cruises typically start at four days and 4 nights, but shorter trips are available. There is an entry fee to the park, along with a daily usage fee for those spending multiple days in the park. This fee is paid to your driver before the trip.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bangkok, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Phuket, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Similan Islands and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain), we can see that Similan Islands is more expensive. And not only is Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) 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 Similan Islands would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Similan Islands than you might in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain).

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

When is the best time to visit Similan Islands or Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)?

Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Similan Islands experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Similan Islands as well as Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). Similan Islands attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the summer, Similan Islands is around the same temperature as Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). Typically, the summer temperatures in Similan Islands in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) averages at about 29°C (85°F).

It's quite rainy in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). Similan Islands receives a lot of rain in the summer. Similan Islands usually gets more rain in July than Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). Similan Islands gets 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain, while Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) receives 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain this time of the year. June to September in Similan Islands is the rainy season.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) in the Autumn?

Both Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) and Similan Islands are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Similan Islands throughout the year.

In October, Similan Islands is generally a little warmer than Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). Daily temperatures in Similan Islands average around 27°C (81°F), and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).

It's quite rainy in Similan Islands. In October, Similan Islands usually receives more rain than Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). Similan Islands gets 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain, while Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Similan Islands is October to May.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) in the Winter?

Both Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) and Similan Islands during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Similan Islands because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) can be very cold during winter. Similan Islands is much warmer than Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) in the winter. The daily temperature in Similan Islands averages around 27°C (80°F) in January, and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

Similan Islands usually gets more rain in January than Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). Similan Islands gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Similan Islands and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Similan Islands year-round.

In the spring, Similan Islands is much warmer than Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). Typically, the spring temperatures in Similan Islands in April average around 29°C (83°F), and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) averages at about 17°C (62°F).

Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) receives a lot of rain in the spring. Similan Islands gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Similan Islands usually receives less rain than Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). Similan Islands gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) receives 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the spring. October to May in Similan Islands is the dry season. Also, June to September is the rainy season in Similan Islands.

Typical Weather for Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) and Similan Islands