A Travel Price Comparison for China Xiamen vs. Harbin for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Xiamen 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 Xiamen 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: Xiamen or Harbin?

Xiamen

Xiamen is a coastal city in the Fujian Province of China and has been a major port city and gateway to China for centuries. This vibrant and modern city was named the most livable city in the world in 2002 and one of the first cities to be named a Special Economic Zone. Xiamen is best known for being home to Gulangyu Island, a beautiful island full of historic colonial buildings and lovely walking paths.

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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China.


Which place is cheaper, Harbin or Xiamen?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Xiamen is $64, while the average daily cost in Harbin is $55. 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 Xiamen and Harbin in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Xiamen $31
    Harbin $21
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Xiamen $62
    Harbin $42
Compare Hotels in Xiamen and Harbin

Looking for a hotel in Xiamen 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.

Hotels in Xiamen


Hotels in Harbin


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.
    Xiamen $6.02
    Harbin $1.50

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xiamen

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

  • Xiamen Railway Station Private Transfer to Gaoqi Airport : $19
  • Xiamen North Railway Station Private Transfer from City Area: $19
  • Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport Chauffeur Service ,Xiamen Airport Transfer: $47
  • Private Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport Transfers in Xiamen City: $12
  • Private Xiamen Gaoqi Airport Arrival Transfer to City Area: $30
  • Private Transfer to Tianluokeng Tulou and Hekeng Hakka Tulou from Xiamen City : $98
  • Private Transfer to Hongkeng Tulou and Yunshuiyao Village from Xiamen City: $98
  • Private Transfer to Gaobei Tulou and Hongkeng Tulou from Xiamen City: $98
  • Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Hui'an county in Quanzhou: $89
  • Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Hua’an Earth Building: $89
  • Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Gaobei Tulou Cluster: $89
  • Private Transfer between Riyue Gu Hotspring Resort and Xiamen City : $32

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Harbin

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

  • Private Transfer to China's Snow Town from Yabuli Ski Resort: $107
  • 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 Railway Station from Harbin City Hotel: $50
  • Private Arrival Transfer:Any Harbin Railway Station to City Hotel: $29
  • 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 Private Transfer from Harbin central to Harbin Taiping Airport (HRB): $116
  • Harbin City Car Transfer Service with Driver: $168
  • Harbin Airport Chauffeur Service, Harbin Airport Transfer: $27
  • Harbin Airport Chauffeur Service, Harbin Airport Transfer: $40

Is it cheaper to fly into Xiamen or Harbin?

Prices for flights to both Harbin and Xiamen 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
    Xiamen $26
    Harbin $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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Xiamen $16
    Harbin $53

Tours and Activities in Xiamen

For Xiamen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Fujian Tulou Private Day Tour to World Heritage Site Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster: $178
  • Xiamen Private One Day Tailor Made Tour with Gulangyu and City Highlights : $176
  • 1-Day Xiamen City Highlights and Gulangyu Island Private Tour: $244
  • 4-Hour Xiamen Private Shore Excursion Tour in Your Way: $121
  • 4-hour Xiamen Private Flexible Tour in Your Way: $113
  • A 2 Days 1 Night Group Tour to Explore Kinmen Island: $216
  • A Night Tour to Xiamen Gulang Island: $100
  • Day Tour to Admire the Panorama of Gulangyu Island and Visit the Precious Birds: $110
  • Flexible Private Half-Day Tour to Visit the Top Attraction Xiamen Yuanbo Garden: $110
  • Flexible Xiamen Private Half Day Tour to Experience Xiamen Botanical Garden: $105
  • Flexible Xiamen Private Half Day Tour with Meal Option: $109
  • Fujian Hakka Tulou Private Day Tour of Tianluokeng and Daping Lou: $194

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
  • 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 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
  • Private Half Day City Tour including Russian Town and Harbin Ropeway Ride: $150
  • Private Half Day Tour Harbin ConfucianTemple and Temple of Bliss (Jile Si): $157

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Xiamen $17
    Harbin $7.88


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Xiamen and Harbin, we can see that Xiamen 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 Xiamen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Xiamen 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 Xiamen Expensive? and Is Harbin Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Xiamen or Harbin?

Harbin has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Xiamen. When comparing the sizes of Xiamen 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 Xiamen 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 Xiamen or Harbin in the Summer?

Both Harbin and Xiamen are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.

In July, Xiamen is generally a little warmer than Harbin. Daily temperatures in Xiamen average around 30°C (86°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 Xiamen. In July, Xiamen usually receives less rain than Harbin. Xiamen gets 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 153 mm (6 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Xiamen 30°C (86°F) 
    Harbin 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Xiamen or Harbin in the Autumn?

Both Harbin and Xiamen during the autumn are popular places to visit.

Xiamen is much warmer than Harbin in the autumn. The daily temperature in Xiamen averages around 25°C (77°F) in October, and Harbin fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Xiamen usually gets more rain in October than Harbin. Xiamen gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Xiamen 25°C (77°F) 
    Harbin 7°C (44°F)

Should I visit Xiamen or Harbin in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Xiamen and Harbin.

It's quite cold in Harbin in the winter. In the winter, Xiamen is much warmer than Harbin. Typically, the winter temperatures in Xiamen in January average around 14°C (58°F), and Harbin averages at about -18°C (-0°F).

In January, Xiamen usually receives more rain than Harbin. Xiamen gets 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Xiamen 14°C (58°F) 
    Harbin -18°C (-0°F)

Should I visit Xiamen or Harbin in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Xiamen as well as Harbin.

In April, Xiamen is generally much warmer than Harbin. Daily temperatures in Xiamen average around 20°C (69°F), and Harbin fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

Xiamen receives a lot of rain in the spring. Xiamen usually gets more rain in April than Harbin. Xiamen gets 147 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 21 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Xiamen 20°C (69°F) 
    Harbin 8°C (46°F)

Typical Weather for Harbin and Xiamen

Xiamen Harbin
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 14°C (58°F) 37 mm (1.4 in) -18°C (-0°F) 3 mm (0.1 in)
Feb 14°C (57°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) -14°C (7°F) 6 mm (0.2 in)
Mar 16°C (61°F) 99 mm (3.9 in) -3°C (26°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Apr 20°C (69°F) 147 mm (5.8 in) 8°C (46°F) 21 mm (0.8 in)
May 24°C (76°F) 152 mm (6 in) 15°C (60°F) 37 mm (1.5 in)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 197 mm (7.7 in) 21°C (70°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
Jul 30°C (86°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 24°C (75°F) 153 mm (6 in)
Aug 30°C (85°F) 149 mm (5.9 in) 22°C (72°F) 116 mm (4.6 in)
Sep 28°C (83°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) 16°C (60°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Oct 25°C (77°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 7°C (44°F) 23 mm (0.9 in)
Nov 21°C (69°F) 37 mm (1.4 in) -4°C (24°F) 8 mm (0.3 in)
Dec 16°C (61°F) 25 mm (1 in) -14°C (7°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)