Which place is cheaper, Harbin or Wuhu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Wuhu or Harbin?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Wuhu and Harbin. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Wuhu or Harbin?
Wuhu
The city of Wuhu is located in the southeast of the Anhui province of China. It lies on the south bank of the Yangtze River, and about 74 miles from the capital city of Hefei. It is made of floodplains, terraces and low hills, and its plentiful water supply makes it the perfect spot for fish and rice production.
The area has a subtropical climate with a humid monsoon season. When planning your trip, remember that the rainy season is from spring to early winter with the heaviest rainfall from mid-June to early July. So the best trips will be in autumn when it is nice and cool, and the chrysanthemums are in bloom.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Lhasa, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Shanghai, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayWuhu $86Harbin $54
The average daily cost (per person) in Wuhu is $86, 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 Wuhu and Harbin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personWuhu $30Harbin $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomWuhu $60Harbin $42
Compare Hotels in Wuhu and Harbin
Looking for a hotel in Wuhu 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.Wuhu $26Harbin $1.50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Harbin
Also for Harbin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Departure Transfer:City Hotel to Any Harbin Railway Station : $25
- Harbin Airport Chauffeur Service, Harbin Airport Transfer: $27
- Private Arrival Transfer:Any Harbin Railway Station to City Hotel: $29
- Harbin Airport (HRB) : Private Arrival Transfer with Meet & Greet Service: $32
- Private Arrival Transfer from Harbin West Railway Station to Harbin City Hotel: $65
- Private HRB Airport Departure Transfer from Harbin City Hotel: $70
- Private HRB Airport Arrival Transfer to Harbin City Hotel: $70
- Harbin Taiping Airport Chauffeur Service , Harbin Airport Transfer,Pick up: $78
- Shared Night Transfer Service to Harbin Ice and Snow World: $85
- Harbin Private Transfer from Harbin Airport (HRB) to central Harbin: $114
- Harbin City Car Transfer Service with Driver: $168
- Private Full Day Transfer Service to Harbin Top Winter Attractions: $168
Is it cheaper to fly into Wuhu or Harbin?
Prices for flights to both Harbin and Wuhu 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 dayWuhu $39Harbin $14
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Harbin
For Harbin, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Harbin Dumpling Cooking Class: $154
- 4-Hour Private Night Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow World with Dinner Options: $261
- Hot Spring Experience with Hot Pot Dinner in Harbin: $300
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Wuhu $18Harbin $53
Tours and Activities in Harbin
For Harbin, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Private Harbin Ice Lantern Show at Zhaolin Park Night Tour with Zhongyang Pedestrian Street: $104
- 1-Day Harbin Private Tour: $130
- 4-Hour Private Tour of the Largest Indoor Ice and Snow Paradise: $136
- Private Half Day City Tour including Russian Town and Harbin Ropeway Ride: $150
- Private Harbin City Day Tour of Russian Historical Sites and Culture: $157
- Small Group Night Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow World: $198
- Harbin City Private Day Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $200
- Private Harbin Ice Festival Night Tour: $209
- Private Customized Harbin City Day Tour by Public Transportation: $220
- Songhua River Boat Tour and Food Experience in Harbin: $230
- Full Day Private Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow Festival: $250
- Small-Group Tour in Summer: Harbin Sun Island, Indoor Ice and Snow World: $261
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayWuhu $8.10Harbin $7.85
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Wuhu and Harbin, we can see that Wuhu 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 Wuhu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Wuhu 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 Wuhu Expensive? and Is Harbin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Wuhu or Harbin?
Harbin has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Wuhu. When comparing the sizes of Wuhu 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 Wuhu or Harbin?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Wuhu or Harbin in the Summer?
Both Harbin and Wuhu during the summer are popular places to visit.
In July, Wuhu is generally a little warmer than Harbin. Daily temperatures in Wuhu average around 28°C (83°F), and Harbin fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
Harbin gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Wuhu. Wuhu usually gets more rain in July than Harbin. Wuhu gets 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 153 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyWuhu 28°C (83°F)Harbin 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Wuhu or Harbin in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Wuhu and Harbin.
Wuhu is much warmer than Harbin in the autumn. The daily temperature in Wuhu averages around 17°C (63°F) in October, and Harbin fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).
In October, Wuhu usually receives more rain than Harbin. Wuhu gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberWuhu 17°C (63°F)Harbin 7°C (44°F)
Should I visit Wuhu or Harbin in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Wuhu as well as Harbin.
The weather in Harbin can be very cold. Wuhu can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Wuhu is much warmer than Harbin. Typically, the winter temperatures in Wuhu in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Harbin averages at about -18°C (-0°F).
Wuhu usually gets more rain in January than Harbin. Wuhu gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryWuhu 3°C (37°F)Harbin -18°C (-0°F)
Should I visit Wuhu or Harbin in the Spring?
Both Harbin and Wuhu are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.
In April, Wuhu is generally much warmer than Harbin. Daily temperatures in Wuhu average around 15°C (60°F), and Harbin fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).
It's quite rainy in Wuhu. In April, Wuhu usually receives more rain than Harbin. Wuhu gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 21 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilWuhu 15°C (60°F)Harbin 8°C (46°F)
Typical Weather for Harbin and Wuhu
| Wuhu | Harbin | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | -18°C (-0°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (40°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | -14°C (7°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (48°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | -3°C (26°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (60°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| May | 21°C (69°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (74°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 17°C (63°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Nov | 11°C (52°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | -4°C (24°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Dec | 5°C (41°F) | 25 mm (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.