A Travel Price Comparison for China Yangshuo vs. Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Yangshuo or Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)?

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 Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Yangshuo or Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)?

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.

Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)

In the heart of the Anhui Province of China is the stunning Mount Huangshan, or Yellow Mountain. This UNESCO World Heritage Site draws in visitors from around the world to take in the stunning views and conquer a new challenge.

Mount Huangshan is one of the most popular destinations in China. Because of this, most of the towns and regions around it also use the name Huangshan. Even the closest town, Tunxi, has begun going by Huangshan City. Keep this in mind as it could potentially cause some confusion in transit.

The whole of Huangshan has 36 separate peaks rising approximately 1,800 meters into the air. It is often covered in a spiritual-feeling mist that makes the peaks appear to live in the clouds. It has inspired artists for centuries, and is often thought to be the model for the typical mountain ranges seen in ancient Chinese paintings.

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.


Which place is cheaper, Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) or Yangshuo?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Yangshuo is $72, while the average daily cost in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) is $57. 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 Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Yangshuo $25
    Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) $25
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Yangshuo $50
    Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) $50
Compare Hotels in Yangshuo and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)

Looking for a hotel in Yangshuo or Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)? 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 Yangshuo


Hotels in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)


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 $42
    Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) $10

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yangshuo

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

  • Private Transfer from Yangshuo hotel to Xingping hotel: $21
  • Private Transfer from Xingping hotel to Yangshuo hotel: $21
  • Private Transfer from Yangshuo hotel to Guilin hotel: $37
  • Private Departure Transfer: Yangshuo to Guilin Train Stations: $49
  • Impression Liu Sanjie - Ticket Booking (including Round-trip Transfer): $75
  • Private Transfer from Yangshuo hotel to Longsheng hotel: $85
  • Private Impression Sanjie Liu Evening Show with Hotel Transfer: $88
  • Private Yangshuo Transfer from Hotel to Longji terraces Hotel: $96
  • Guilin Private Transfer in English-speaking Services: Between Airport & Yangshuo: $106
  • Private Transfer from Xingping hotel to Longsheng hotel: $107

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain):


  • Shuttle Bus to Tangkou for Two
    $3.59

Is it cheaper to fly into Yangshuo or Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)?

Prices for flights to both Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) 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 day
    Yangshuo $19
    Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) $19

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Yangshuo

For Yangshuo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • 3-Hour Yangshuo Cooking Class with Yangshuo Town Shopping: $138
  • Yangshuo Full Day Tour: Cooking class, River boat, Light Show: $259

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Yangshuo $23
    Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) $27

Tours and Activities in Yangshuo

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Yangshuo.

  • Tour to learn Chinese cuisine in Yangshuo group: $37
  • Impression Sanjie Liu Show Ticket: $45
  • Yangshuo Impression Liusanjie Show Ticket: $45
  • Yangshuo Impression Liusanjie Show Ticket: $47
  • Yangshuo Ruyi peak & round way cable car ticket: $55
  • Yangshuo Via Ferrata Ticket: $56
  • Half/Full-Day Yangshuo Countryside Moderate Cycling and Sightseeing Private Tour: $60
  • Gullin: Li River Cruise with Pickup and Yangshuo: $65
  • Private Half-Day Bike and Bamboo Raft Tour in Yangshuo: $80
  • 1 Day - Yangshuo Bike Tour: $80
  • All Inclusive Private Hiking Tour in Yangshuo: $84
  • Yangshuo Parasailing Experience Ticket: $89

Typical Entertainment Prices in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) are as follows:


  • Two Entrance Tickets
    $64
  • Two Cable Car Passes
    $22

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Yangshuo $33
    Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) $15


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Yangshuo and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain), we can see that Yangshuo is more expensive. And not only is Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) 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 Huangshan (Yellow Mountain).

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Yangshuo Expensive? and Is Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Yangshuo or Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)?

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 Yangshuo or Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) in the Summer?

Both Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) and Yangshuo during the summer are popular places to visit.

In the summer, Yangshuo is around the same temperature as Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). Typically, the summer temperatures in Yangshuo in July average around 30°C (86°F), and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) averages at about 29°C (85°F).

Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Yangshuo. Yangshuo usually gets more rain in July than Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). Yangshuo gets 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain, while Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) receives 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Yangshuo 30°C (86°F) 
    Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) 29°C (85°F)

Should I visit Yangshuo or Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Yangshuo and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain).

In October, Yangshuo is generally a little warmer than Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). Daily temperatures in Yangshuo average around 23°C (73°F), and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).

In October, Yangshuo usually receives more rain than Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). Yangshuo gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Yangshuo 23°C (73°F) 
    Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) 19°C (65°F)

Should I visit Yangshuo or Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Yangshuo as well as Huangshan (Yellow Mountain).

It's quite cold in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) in the winter. Yangshuo is much warmer than Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) in the winter. The daily temperature in Yangshuo averages around 10°C (49°F) in January, and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

Yangshuo usually gets more rain in January than Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). Yangshuo gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Yangshuo 10°C (49°F) 
    Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) 4°C (40°F)

Should I visit Yangshuo or Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) in the Spring?

Both Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) and Yangshuo are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

In the spring, Yangshuo is a little warmer than Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). Typically, the spring temperatures in Yangshuo in April average around 20°C (68°F), and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) averages at about 17°C (62°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). It's quite rainy in Yangshuo. In April, Yangshuo usually receives more rain than Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). Yangshuo gets 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain, while Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) receives 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Yangshuo 20°C (68°F) 
    Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) 17°C (62°F)

Typical Weather for Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) and Yangshuo

Yangshuo Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 10°C (49°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 4°C (40°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Feb 11°C (51°F) 87 mm (3.4 in) 6°C (42°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Mar 15°C (59°F) 129 mm (5.1 in) 10°C (51°F) 117 mm (4.6 in)
Apr 20°C (68°F) 263 mm (10.3 in) 17°C (62°F) 170 mm (6.7 in)
May 25°C (77°F) 334 mm (13.2 in) 22°C (71°F) 189 mm (7.4 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 320 mm (12.6 in) 26°C (78°F) 235 mm (9.2 in)
Jul 30°C (86°F) 206 mm (8.1 in) 29°C (85°F) 185 mm (7.3 in)
Aug 30°C (86°F) 168 mm (6.6 in) 29°C (84°F) 121 mm (4.7 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 24°C (75°F) 95 mm (3.7 in)
Oct 23°C (73°F) 93 mm (3.7 in) 19°C (65°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
Nov 17°C (63°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 13°C (55°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Dec 12°C (53°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 7°C (44°F) 36 mm (1.4 in)