Which place is cheaper, Harbin or Yangshuo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Yangshuo or Harbin?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Yangshuo and Harbin can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Yangshuo or Harbin?
Yangshuo
A county of the city, Guilin, Yangshuo is located in a region famous for its karst topography. Surrounded by jagged mountain peaks and bordered on one side by the Li River, Yangshuo has become a popular home base for tourists looking to explore the region's natural wonders. Backpackers and tourists, both foreign and domestic, come to Yangshuo every year making it a city of many cultures. Most locals are even able to speak English, which is fairly uncommon for Chinese cities.
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 Budget Tours to China, The Best Tours for Seniors to China, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Beijing, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Lhasa.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayYangshuo $72Harbin $54
The average daily cost (per person) in Yangshuo is $72, 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 Yangshuo and Harbin in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personYangshuo $25Harbin $21
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomYangshuo $50Harbin $42
Compare Hotels in Yangshuo and Harbin
Looking for a hotel in Yangshuo 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
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Yangshuo $42Harbin $1.50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yangshuo
Also for Yangshuo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Yangshuo Via Ferrata with Round way private transfer from Yangshuo hotel: $56
- Visit 100% primitive cave with Transfer: $97
- Private Transfer from Yangshuo hotel to Guilin hotel: $37
- Private Transfer from Xingping hotel to Longsheng hotel: $107
- Private Impression Sanjie Liu Evening Show with Hotel Transfer: $88
- Private Departure Transfer: Yangshuo to Guilin Train Stations: $49
- Private Departure Transfer: Yangshuo to Guilin International Airport (KWL): $49
- Private Airport Transfer: Yangshuo Hotel to Guilin Liangjiang Airport: $45
- Impression Liu Sanjie - Ticket Booking (including Round-trip Transfer): $75
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Harbin
Also for Harbin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Harbin City Car Transfer Service with Driver: $168
- Private Full Day Transfer Service to Harbin Top Winter Attractions: $168
- Harbin Private Transfer from Harbin central to Harbin Taiping Airport (HRB): $114
- 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
- Private Departure Transfer to Harbin West Railway Station from Harbin City Hotel: $60
- Harbin Airport (HRB) : Private Arrival Transfer with Meet & Greet Service: $32
- Private Arrival Transfer:Any Harbin Railway Station to City Hotel: $29
- Harbin Airport Chauffeur Service, Harbin Airport Transfer: $27
- Private Departure Transfer:City Hotel to Any Harbin Railway Station : $25
Is it cheaper to fly into Yangshuo or Harbin?
Prices for flights to both Harbin and Yangshuo 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 dayYangshuo $19Harbin $14
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Yangshuo
For Yangshuo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- The impression Liu sanjie show and local dinner in town : $145
- Yangshuo Full Day Tour: Cooking class, River boat, Light Show: $259
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Harbin
For Harbin, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 4-Hour Private Night Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow World with Dinner Options: $261
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Yangshuo $23Harbin $53
Tours and Activities in Yangshuo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Yangshuo.
- Longji Rice Terraces Day Tour from Yangshuo hotel: $181
- 1 Day - Yangshuo Bike Tour: $80
- 1-Day Guilin City Tour and Ends of Longji Rice Terraces from Yangshuo: $218
- 2 Day - Longji Rice Terraces - Sunrise Hiking Tour: $280
- All Inclusive Private Hiking Tour in Yangshuo: $84
- From Guilin or Top 4 Highlights Private Day tour: $157
- Full-Day Li-River Tour from Yangshuo to Yangdi With the English Speaking Driver: $159
- Full-day Tour: Longji Rice Terraces & Minority Villages: $146
- Full-day Tour: Spectacular Sunrise, Tea Plantation & Sunset: $134
- Full/Half-Day Yangshuo Xianggong Hill Sunrise Private Tour: $137
- Guilin Highlight Sightseeing Private Day City Tour: $139
- Guilin: 3-Day Private Tour with Longsheng&Cruise to Yangshuo: $328
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
- All-Inclusive Harbin Jewish Culture Private Day Tour: $300
- 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 Group Tour including Crossing Songhua River by Ropeway and Ice Swimming Show: $290
- 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
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayYangshuo $33Harbin $7.85
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Yangshuo and Harbin, we can see that Yangshuo 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 Yangshuo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Yangshuo 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 Yangshuo Expensive? and Is Harbin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Yangshuo or Harbin?
Harbin has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Yangshuo. When comparing the sizes of Yangshuo 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 Yangshuo 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 Yangshuo or Harbin in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Yangshuo and Harbin.
Yangshuo is a little warmer than Harbin in the summer. The daily temperature in Yangshuo averages around 30°C (86°F) in July, and Harbin fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
Harbin receives a lot of rain in the summer. Yangshuo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Yangshuo usually receives more rain than Harbin. Yangshuo gets 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 153 mm (6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyYangshuo 30°C (86°F)Harbin 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Yangshuo or Harbin in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Yangshuo as well as Harbin.
In the autumn, Yangshuo is much warmer than Harbin. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Yangshuo in October average around 23°C (73°F), and Harbin averages at about 7°C (44°F).
Yangshuo usually gets more rain in October than Harbin. Yangshuo gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberYangshuo 23°C (73°F)Harbin 7°C (44°F)
Should I visit Yangshuo or Harbin in the Winter?
Both Harbin and Yangshuo are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
Harbin can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Yangshuo is generally much warmer than Harbin. Daily temperatures in Yangshuo average around 10°C (49°F), and Harbin fluctuates around -18°C (-0°F).
In January, Yangshuo usually receives more rain than Harbin. Yangshuo gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryYangshuo 10°C (49°F)Harbin -18°C (-0°F)
Should I visit Yangshuo or Harbin in the Spring?
Both Harbin and Yangshuo during the spring are popular places to visit.
Yangshuo is much warmer than Harbin in the spring. The daily temperature in Yangshuo averages around 20°C (68°F) in April, and Harbin fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Yangshuo. Yangshuo usually gets more rain in April than Harbin. Yangshuo gets 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 21 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilYangshuo 20°C (68°F)Harbin 8°C (46°F)
Typical Weather for Harbin and Yangshuo
| Yangshuo | Harbin | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (49°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | -18°C (-0°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (51°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | -14°C (7°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 15°C (59°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | -3°C (26°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 20°C (68°F) | 263 mm (10.3 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 334 mm (13.2 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 320 mm (12.6 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (86°F) | 168 mm (6.6 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Nov | 17°C (63°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | -4°C (24°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (53°F) | 47 mm (1.9 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.