Which place is cheaper, Harbin or Zhangjiajie?
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 Zhangjiajie 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 Zhangjiajie 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: Zhangjiajie or Harbin?
Zhangjiajie
Zhangjiajie, China is a picturesque city located in the northwest of the Hunan Province. This ancient city, which dates all the way back to the Stone Age, is famous for being home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Wulingyuan Scenic Area. Zhangjiajie is also known for being a popular filming location and and overall great place to escape the bustling Chinese cities. Zhangjiajie has its own dialect, which is a branch of the Hunan and Southern dialects, so Mandarin does not always translate when trying to speak to locals here.
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 Historical Tours in China, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China, and The Best 2-Week Tours in China.
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Zhangjiajie Prices
China PricesHarbin Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZhangjiajie $79Harbin $65
The average daily cost (per person) in Zhangjiajie is $79, 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 Zhangjiajie and Harbin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZhangjiajie $30Harbin $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZhangjiajie $60Harbin $42
Compare Hotels in Zhangjiajie and Harbin
Looking for a hotel in Zhangjiajie 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.Zhangjiajie $15Harbin $1.51
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zhangjiajie
Also for Zhangjiajie, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 4-Day Private Tour with Airport Transfers: $710
- Private transfer from Zhangjiajie(Wulingyuan) to Changsha area: $213
- Private Transfer: Zhangjiajie from/to Fenghuang: $167
- Private Transfer: Yichang hotel from/to Zhangjiajie Hotel: $319
- Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Fenghuang and stops at Furong old town: $187
- Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Fenghuang and stops at Aizhai bridge area: $187
- Fox Fairy Show VIP Ticket with Private Transfer in ZJJ City: $57
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Harbin
Also for Harbin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Harbin Volga Manor Private Transfer Service with Entry Tickets: $300
- Shared Transfer Service to Ice and Snow World, Sun Island Snow Festival: $250
- Private Full Day Transfer Service to Harbin Top Winter Attractions: $198
- Harbin Ice Festival Tickets and Transfer Service : $148
- Harbin Private Transfer from Harbin central to Harbin Taiping Airport (HRB): $126
- Private Departure Transfer to Harbin North Railway Station from Harbin City: $100
- 4 Hour Private Transfer to Sun Island Snow Sculptures: $100
- Private Arrival Transfer from Harbin South Railway Station to Harbin City Hotel: $80
- 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
Is it cheaper to fly into Zhangjiajie or Harbin?
Prices for flights to both Harbin and Zhangjiajie 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 dayZhangjiajie $36Harbin $24
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zhangjiajie
For Zhangjiajie, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Full-Day Private Discovery Tour to Tianmen Mountain National Park with Dinner: $184
- 1 Day Zhangjiajie Private Tour Visit Avatar Mount and Tianzi Mount with Dinner: $196
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.Zhangjiajie $23Harbin $53
Tours and Activities in Zhangjiajie
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Zhangjiajie.
- Zhangjiajie Cable Car and Walking Private Tour: $263
- Zhangjiajie National Forest Park(Avatar) & Yellow Dragon Cave Private Day Tour: $189
- 1 Day Private Expedition Tour to Jiutian Cave and Visit Marshal Helong Memorial: $179
- 1-Day Fenghuang Tour from Zhangjiajie(Wulingyuan) by Round-way Bullet Train: $240
- 1-Day Private Tour to Glass Bridge & Yellow Dragon Cave: $102
- 1-Day Private Tour to ZJJ National Forest Park & Avatar Mountain: $98
- 1-Day Private Tour to Zhangjiajie Forest Park & AVATAR Mountain: $98
- 1-Day Private Tour to Zhangjiajie Forest Park & Avatar Mountain: $195
- 1-Day Private Tour to Zhangjiajie Highlights: $123
- 1-Day Private Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain & Glass Skywalk Tour: $154
- 1-Day Private Zhangjiajie Tour to Avatar Mountain & Glass Bridge: $220
- 1-Day VIP Access Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Private Tour: $189
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 dayZhangjiajie $16Harbin $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 Zhangjiajie and Harbin, we can see that Zhangjiajie 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 Zhangjiajie would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zhangjiajie 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 Zhangjiajie Expensive? and Is Harbin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zhangjiajie or Harbin?
Harbin has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Zhangjiajie. When comparing the sizes of Zhangjiajie 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 Zhangjiajie 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 Zhangjiajie or Harbin in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Zhangjiajie and Harbin.
Zhangjiajie is a little warmer than Harbin in the summer. The daily temperature in Zhangjiajie averages around 29°C (85°F) in July, and Harbin fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
Harbin receives a lot of rain in the summer. Zhangjiajie gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Zhangjiajie usually receives less rain than Harbin. Zhangjiajie gets 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 153 mm (6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyZhangjiajie 29°C (85°F)Harbin 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Harbin in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Zhangjiajie as well as Harbin.
In the autumn, Zhangjiajie is much warmer than Harbin. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Zhangjiajie in October average around 19°C (65°F), and Harbin averages at about 7°C (44°F).
Zhangjiajie usually gets more rain in October than Harbin. Zhangjiajie gets 90 mm (3.6 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 OctoberZhangjiajie 19°C (65°F)Harbin 7°C (44°F)
Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Harbin in the Winter?
Both Harbin and Zhangjiajie are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
The weather in Harbin can be very cold. In January, Zhangjiajie is generally much warmer than Harbin. Daily temperatures in Zhangjiajie average around 5°C (42°F), and Harbin fluctuates around -18°C (-0°F).
In January, Zhangjiajie usually receives more rain than Harbin. Zhangjiajie gets 44 mm (1.7 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 JanuaryZhangjiajie 5°C (42°F)Harbin -18°C (-0°F)
Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Harbin in the Spring?
Both Harbin and Zhangjiajie during the spring are popular places to visit.
Zhangjiajie is much warmer than Harbin in the spring. The daily temperature in Zhangjiajie averages around 17°C (63°F) in April, and Harbin fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Zhangjiajie. Zhangjiajie usually gets more rain in April than Harbin. Zhangjiajie gets 166 mm (6.5 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 AprilZhangjiajie 17°C (63°F)Harbin 8°C (46°F)
Typical Weather for Harbin and Zhangjiajie
| Zhangjiajie | Harbin | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 5°C (42°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | -18°C (-0°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | -14°C (7°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 11°C (52°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | -3°C (26°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 166 mm (6.5 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| May | 22°C (72°F) | 179 mm (7 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jun | 26°C (78°F) | 199 mm (7.8 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (65°F) | 90 mm (3.6 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 70 mm (2.7 in) | -4°C (24°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (45°F) | 44 mm (1.7 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.