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

Should you visit Surat Thani 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 Surat Thani 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: Surat Thani or Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)?

Surat Thani

The best way to see the real culture of a country is to go where the tourists are not. If you are itching to experience real Thai culture, you may want to visit the city of Surat Thani. Located on the central gulf coast of southern Thailand, this city is usually the gateway to other Thai islands – meaning visitors run through it without stopping. Stay a while and get to know Surat Thani – known to the locals as the "City of Good People."

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 Yoga Tours and Retreats in Thailand, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Thailand, 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 Surat Thani?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Surat Thani is $53, 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 Surat Thani and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) in more detail.



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

Looking for a hotel in Surat Thani 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 Surat Thani


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.


Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Surat Thani $24
    Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) $9.99

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surat Thani

Also for Surat Thani, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • From Koh Samui: One-Way Ferry Transfer to Surat Thani: $7.16
  • Private Airport Transfer in Koh Samui Sedan 1-3 PAX: $12
  • Private Arrival Transfer : Koh Samui Airport to Koh Samui Hotel (SHA Plus): $14
  • Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Bo Phut: $36
  • Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Chaweng: $36
  • Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Choeng Mon Beach: $36
  • Transfer to Don Sak Pier: $59
  • Donsak pier to aonang , krabi town , klongmuang any hotel Private transfer: $114
  • Private Transfer Surat Thani Airport (URT) to / from Surat Thani: $196

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 Surat Thani or Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)?

Prices for flights to both Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) and Surat Thani 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
    Surat Thani $14
    Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) $19
Typical Food Prices in Surat Thani

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Surat Thani:


  • Dinner
    $4.09

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Surat Thani

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

  • Khao Sok: Elephant Day Care, Cooking Class, & Bamboo Raft: $71

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Surat Thani $4.97
    Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) $27

Tours and Activities in Surat Thani

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Surat Thani.

  • Pick up and drop off tourists around Koh Samui: $14
  • The one and only Zipline Experience of Lamai Viewpoint: $38
  • Koh Samui Day and Night Fishing Experience: $48
  • Koh Samui: 4x4 Sightseeing Safari & Elephant Sanctuary Tour: $58
  • Koh Samui: Unique Iocal Tour & Elephant Sanctuary with lunch: $65
  • Blue Stars Kayaking Adventure in Angthong Marine Park: $69
  • X Quad Novice Waterfall ATV Tour (1 Driver): $76
  • Koh Samui: Elephant Kingdom Sanctuary Half-Day Tour: $81
  • Samui Dolphins Tour by Catamaran Yacht: $87
  • Khao Sok: Cheow Lan Lake Sunset Cruise w/ Drinks: $91
  • From Khao Lak/Khao Sok: Cheow Lan Lake and Emerald Pool Tour: $105
  • Samui X Quad ATV Tour (1 Driver) with lunch: $122

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
    Surat Thani $4.96
    Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) $15


When comparing the travel costs between Surat Thani and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain), we can see that Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) 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 Surat Thani Expensive? and Is Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Surat Thani or Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)?

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

Should I visit Surat Thani or Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) in the Summer?

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

In July, Surat Thani is generally around the same temperature as Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). Daily temperatures in Surat Thani average around 28°C (82°F), and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).

Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Surat Thani. Surat Thani usually gets less rain in July than Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). Surat Thani gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) receives 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Surat Thani 28°C (82°F) 
    Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) 29°C (85°F)

Should I visit Surat Thani or Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Surat Thani and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Surat Thani year-round.

Surat Thani is a little warmer than Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) in the autumn. The daily temperature in Surat Thani averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).

Surat Thani gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Surat Thani usually receives more rain than Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). Surat Thani gets 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Surat Thani 27°C (81°F) 
    Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) 19°C (65°F)

Should I visit Surat Thani or Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) in the Winter?

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

Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Surat Thani is much warmer than Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). Typically, the winter temperatures in Surat Thani in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) averages at about 4°C (40°F).

Surat Thani usually gets more rain in January than Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). Surat Thani gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Surat Thani 25°C (77°F) 
    Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) 4°C (40°F)

Should I visit Surat Thani or Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) in the Spring?

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

In April, Surat Thani is generally much warmer than Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). Daily temperatures in Surat Thani average around 29°C (83°F), and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). In April, Surat Thani usually receives less rain than Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). Surat Thani gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) receives 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Surat Thani 29°C (83°F) 
    Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) 17°C (62°F)

Typical Weather for Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) and Surat Thani

Surat Thani Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 25°C (77°F) 51 mm (2 in) 4°C (40°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Feb 26°C (79°F) 11 mm (0.4 in) 6°C (42°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Mar 27°C (81°F) 24 mm (0.9 in) 10°C (51°F) 117 mm (4.6 in)
Apr 29°C (83°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 17°C (62°F) 170 mm (6.7 in)
May 29°C (83°F) 164 mm (6.5 in) 22°C (71°F) 189 mm (7.4 in)
Jun 28°C (83°F) 145 mm (5.7 in) 26°C (78°F) 235 mm (9.2 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 143 mm (5.6 in) 29°C (85°F) 185 mm (7.3 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 29°C (84°F) 121 mm (4.7 in)
Sep 28°C (82°F) 196 mm (7.7 in) 24°C (75°F) 95 mm (3.7 in)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 240 mm (9.5 in) 19°C (65°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 335 mm (13.2 in) 13°C (55°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Dec 26°C (78°F) 134 mm (5.3 in) 7°C (44°F) 36 mm (1.4 in)