Which place is cheaper, Harbin or Vang Vieng?
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 Vang Vieng or Harbin?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Harbin? 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: Vang Vieng or Harbin?
Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng is a town in the Vientiane province of Laos that sits along the banks of the Nam Song River. With its beautifully carved karst topography cliffs towering over the winding river, the area has become very tourist-oriented for those seeking to explore the outdoor wonders. People from all over come to engage in the unique landscape-mountain biking, trekking, kayaking, caving, swimming, and rock climbing, amongst others.
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 Adventure Tours to Laos, The Best Budget Tours to Laos, The Best 2-Week Tours in China, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China.
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Vang Vieng Prices
Laos PricesHarbin Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVang Vieng $19Harbin $66
The average daily cost (per person) in Vang Vieng is $19, while the average daily cost in Harbin is $66. 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 Vang Vieng and Harbin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVang Vieng $4.25Harbin $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVang Vieng $8.50Harbin $42
Compare Hotels in Vang Vieng and Harbin
Looking for a hotel in Vang Vieng 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Vang Vieng Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vang Vieng $3.11Harbin $1.52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vang Vieng
Also for Vang Vieng, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared transfer from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang city: $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Harbin
Also for Harbin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Harbin Volga Manor Private Transfer Service with Entry Tickets: $300
- Shared Transfer Service to Ice and Snow World, Sun Island Snow Festival: $250
- Private Full Day Transfer Service to Harbin Top Winter Attractions: $198
- Harbin Ice Festival Tickets and Transfer Service : $148
- 4 Hour Private Transfer to Sun Island Snow Sculptures: $100
- Private Departure Transfer to Harbin North Railway Station from Harbin City: $100
- Harbin Catholic Church Car Transfer Service: $80
- Private HRB Airport Departure Transfer from Harbin City Hotel: $70
- Private HRB Airport Arrival Transfer to Harbin City Hotel: $70
- Private Arrival Transfer from Harbin West Railway Station to Harbin City Hotel: $65
- Harbin Taiping Airport Chauffeur Service, Harbin Airport Transfer, Pick up.: $59
- Harbin Airport (HRB) : Private Arrival Transfer with Meet & Greet Service: $32
Is it cheaper to fly into Vang Vieng or Harbin?
Prices for flights to both Harbin and Vang Vieng 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 dayVang Vieng $11Harbin $24
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Harbin
For Harbin, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Dinner Show with Costumes and Performances: $29
- Harbin Cultural Tour at Zhongyang Dajie to Baluoke with Dinner: $80
- Central Street, Baluoke Village, and Dinner Tour: $90
- Harbin Dumpling Cooking Class: $154
- Hot Spring Experience with Hot Pot Dinner in Harbin: $300
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vang Vieng $4.76Harbin $53
Tours and Activities in Vang Vieng
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vang Vieng.
- 1 Day Guided Tour in Cave from Vang Vieng: $175
- Get Your Laos–China Train Ticket Fast – No Waiting, No Worries: $30
- Laos: Jungle Zipline and Caving Tour: $58
- Nam Xay Viewpoint Hike & Blue Lagoon 1 Tour in Vang Vieng: $180
- Nam Xay Viewpoint Hike and Blue Lagoon Tour: $79
- One Day Guided Tour: Kayaking, Zipline & Tubing In The Cave from Vang Vieng : $50
- Vang Vieng 1-Day Cave Exploration Tour with Guide: $175
- Vang Vieng Ballooning Adventures: $260
- Vang Vieng Bike Tour: $49
- Vang Vieng Day Tour - Longtail boat, Paragliding: $175
- Vang Vieng Hot Air Balloon Experience and Longtail Boat: $137
- Vang Vieng Hot Air Balloon Kayak Zipline,Blue lagoon1 Tour: $148
Tours and Activities in Harbin
For Harbin, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Harbin Igloos Hot Pot Private Tour: $300
- Private Night Tour to Harbin Ice Festival: $261
- 1-Day Harbin Private Tour: $168
- 2-Day Harbin City Private Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $280
- All-Inclusive Harbin City History and Local Culture Private Day Tour: $300
- 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
- Half-Day Private Old Harbin Street Walking Tour with Meal: $300
- Harbin City Guided Tour to Zhongyang Street and Sophia Church: $180
- Harbin City Private Day Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $200
- Harbin Ice Festival New Year Eve Countdown Group Tour on December 31: $200
- Harbin Ice Lantern Show and Center Street Tour: $150
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVang Vieng $1.11Harbin $7.96
Sample the Local Flavors in Harbin
Also in Harbin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Half-Day Private Harbin Beer Museum and Brewery Tour: $250
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vang Vieng and Harbin, we can see that Harbin is more expensive. And not only is Vang Vieng much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Vang Vieng would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vang Vieng 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 Harbin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Harbin than you might in Vang Vieng.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Vang Vieng Expensive? and Is Harbin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vang Vieng or Harbin?
Harbin has a larger population, and is about 130 times larger than the population of Vang Vieng. When comparing the sizes of Vang Vieng 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 Vang Vieng or Harbin?
Harbin has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Vang Vieng experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Harbin in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Vang Vieng and Harbin. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vang Vieng year-round.
In July, Vang Vieng is generally around the same temperature as Harbin. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 22°C (72°F), and Harbin fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
Harbin receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Vang Vieng usually receives less rain than Harbin. Vang Vieng gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 153 mm (6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVang Vieng 22°C (72°F)Harbin 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Harbin in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Vang Vieng as well as Harbin. Vang Vieng attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Vang Vieng is much warmer than Harbin in the autumn. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 23°C (73°F) in October, and Harbin fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).
Vang Vieng usually gets more rain in October than Harbin. Vang Vieng gets 63 mm (2.5 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 OctoberVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)Harbin 7°C (44°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Harbin in the Winter?
Both Harbin and Vang Vieng are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vang Vieng throughout the year.
Harbin can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Vang Vieng is much warmer than Harbin. Typically, the winter temperatures in Vang Vieng in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Harbin averages at about -18°C (-0°F).
In January, Vang Vieng usually receives more rain than Harbin. Vang Vieng gets 57 mm (2.2 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 JanuaryVang Vieng 24°C (75°F)Harbin -18°C (-0°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Harbin in the Spring?
Both Harbin and Vang Vieng during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Vang Vieng because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Vang Vieng is generally much warmer than Harbin. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 23°C (73°F), and Harbin fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Vang Vieng. Vang Vieng usually gets more rain in April than Harbin. Vang Vieng gets 188 mm (7.4 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 AprilVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)Harbin 8°C (46°F)
Typical Weather for Harbin and Vang Vieng
| Vang Vieng | Harbin | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | -18°C (-0°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | -14°C (7°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | -3°C (26°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 23°C (73°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | -4°C (24°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 81 mm (3.2 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.