Which place is cheaper, Harbin or Xiamen?
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 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.
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Xiamen Prices
China PricesHarbin Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayXiamen $84Harbin $65
The average daily cost (per person) in Xiamen is $84, while the average daily cost in Harbin is $65. 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
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personXiamen $31Harbin $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomXiamen $62Harbin $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.
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.Xiamen $6.05Harbin $1.51
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 Gaoqi International Airport Chauffeur Service ,Xiamen Airport Transfer: $25
- Private Xiamen Gaoqi Airport Departure Transfer from City Areas: $33
- Private Xiamen Gaoqi Airport Arrival Transfer to City Area: $30
- Private Transfer to Tianluokeng and HekengHakka Tulou fromXiamen: $90
- 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 Yunshuiyao Village from Xiamen City: $98
- Private Transfer from Xiamen North Railway Station to City Area: $19
- Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster : $89
- Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Hua’an Earth Building: $89
- Private Transfer Service between Xiamen and Anxi : $89
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Harbin
Also for Harbin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared Transfer Service to Ice and Snow World, Sun Island Snow Festival: $250
- 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: $198
- Private Departure Transfer to Harbin West Railway Station from Harbin City Hotel: $60
- Private Departure Transfer to Harbin North Railway Station from Harbin City: $100
- Private Arrival Transfer from Harbin West Railway Station to Harbin City Hotel: $65
- Private Arrival Transfer from Harbin South Railway Station to Harbin City Hotel: $80
- Private Arrival Transfer from Harbin East Railway Station to Harbin City Hotel: $60
- Harbin Volga Manor Private Transfer Service with Entry Tickets: $300
- Harbin Taiping Airport Chauffeur Service, Harbin Airport Transfer, Pick up.: $59
- Harbin Private Transfer from Harbin central to Harbin Taiping Airport (HRB): $126
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
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Food Meals for one dayXiamen $46Harbin $24
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Harbin
For Harbin, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Harbin Private City and Food Tour: $200
- Private Full Day Tour to Harbin Beifang Forest Zoo and Optional Seafood Dinner: $261
- Hot Spring Experience with Hot Pot Dinner in Harbin: $300
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Xiamen $16Harbin $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
- 1-Day Xiamen City Highlights and Gulangyu Island Private Tour: $244
- 1-day Xiapu Photography Tour: East Route: $273
- 4-Hour Xiamen Private Local Food Market Experience: $103
- 4-Hour Xiamen Private Shore Excursion Tour in Your Way: $121
- 4-hour Xiamen Private Flexible Tour in Your Way: $115
- A Night Tour to Xiamen Gulang Island: $100
- Dongshan Island Highlights Full-Day Private Tour: $232
- Flexible Private Half-Day Tour to Visit the Top Attraction Xiamen Yuanbo Garden: $110
- Flexible Private Xiamen Layover Tour from Cruise Port or Airport : $155
- Flexible Xiamen Private Half Day Tour to Experience Xiamen Botanical Garden: $105
- Flexible Xiamen Private Half Day Tour with Meal Option: $164
Tours and Activities in Harbin
For Harbin, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 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
- 4 Hour Summer Tour to Sun Island to Harbin Ice and Snow World: $260
- 4Hour Tour Heilongjiang Museum to Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral: $250
- Group Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow World plus Sun Island Snow Sculpture Festival: $298
- Half-Day Private Old Harbin Street Walking Tour with Meal: $300
- Harbin China's Pavilion Garden and Gogol Street Private Tour with Chunbing Lunch: $300
- Harbin City Private Day Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $200
- Harbin City Walking Sightseeing : $198
- Harbin Cultural Tour at Zhongyang Dajie to Baluoke with Lunch: $64
- Harbin Ice Festival New Year Eve Countdown Group Tour on December 31: $200
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayXiamen $17Harbin $7.92
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 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.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyXiamen 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.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberXiamen 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.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryXiamen 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.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilXiamen 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) |
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.