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

Should you visit Zhangye 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 Zhangye 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: Zhangye or Harbin?

Zhangye

Zhangye, China is a city in the Gansu Province in the central north part of the country, close to Mongolia. This ancient city has often been used as a military strong hold, having been the headquarters of General Huo among many others. Zhangye is a fabulous day trip city to visit when staying in larger nearby cities.

Zhangye is privy to beautiful summer weather, with lots of sunshine and temperatures in the high 70's Fahrenheit. The best times to visit are between July and September, when temperatures and sunshine are at their highest. Autumn, Winter, and Spring tend to be a little chillier and rainier.

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.


Which place is cheaper, Harbin or Zhangye?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Zhangye is $105, 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 Zhangye and Harbin in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Zhangye $38
    Harbin $21
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Zhangye $76
    Harbin $42
Compare Hotels in Zhangye and Harbin

Looking for a hotel in Zhangye 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 Zhangye


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.
    Zhangye $39
    Harbin $1.51

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zhangye

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zhangye:

  • Private Airport Transfer: Zhangye Hotel to Zhangye Airport (YZY): $59
  • Private Airport Transfer: Zhangye Airport (YZY) to Zhangye Hotel: $59

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Harbin

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

  • Harbin Airport, Harbin City, Heilongjiang Province Transfer Service: $27
  • Harbin Airport (HRB) : Private Arrival Transfer with Meet & Greet Service: $32
  • Harbin Taiping Airport Chauffeur Service, Harbin Airport Transfer, Pick up.: $59
  • Private Departure Transfer to Harbin West Railway Station from Harbin City Hotel: $60
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Harbin East Railway Station to Harbin City Hotel: $60
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Harbin West Railway Station to Harbin City Hotel: $65
  • 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 South Railway Station to Harbin City Hotel: $80
  • Private Departure Transfer to Harbin North Railway Station from Harbin City: $100
  • 4 Hour Private Transfer to Sun Island Snow Sculptures: $100
  • Harbin Private Transfer from Harbin central to Harbin Taiping Airport (HRB): $126

Is it cheaper to fly into Zhangye or Harbin?

Prices for flights to both Harbin and Zhangye 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
    Zhangye $44
    Harbin $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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Zhangye $10
    Harbin $53

Tours and Activities in Zhangye

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zhangye are as follows:

  • Private day tour to Zhangye Danxia Landform the Rainbow Mountain: $150
  • From 6-Day Private Photography Tour to Dunhuang: $1,099
  • Private Day Tour: Horse Hoof Temple Grottoes and Zhangye Danxia Landform: $299
  • Private Hiking Tour: Binggou Danxia and Zhangye Danxia Geopark from Zhangye: $299
  • Private Hiking Tour: Pingshanhu Grand Canyon and the Horse Hoof Temple Grottoes: $235
  • Private day tour to Zhangye Mati temple & Giant Buddha Temple start from Zhangye: $155
  • Zhangye Danxia Half Day tour: $195
  • Zhangye One Day City Tour: $77
  • Zhangye Rainbow Danxia Private Day Tour: $214

Tours and Activities in Harbin

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

  • Harbin Ice and Snow World Ticket Booking: $51
  • Harbin Cultural Tour at Zhongyang Dajie to Baluoke with Lunch: $64
  • Harbin Summer Indoor Ice and Snow World Tour: $136
  • Harbin Ice Lantern Show and Center Street Tour: $150
  • Private Half Day Tour Harbin ConfucianTemple and Temple of Bliss (Jile Si): $157
  • 1-Day Harbin Private Tour: $168
  • Private Half Day City Tour including Russian Town and Harbin Ropeway Ride: $198
  • Harbin City Walking Sightseeing : $198
  • Small Group Night Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow World: $199
  • Harbin Ice Festival New Year Eve Countdown Group Tour on December 31: $200
  • Harbin City Private Day Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $200
  • Private Half Day Tour to Unit 731 Museum and Sites in Harbin: $218

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Zhangye $6.98
    Harbin $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 Zhangye and Harbin, we can see that Zhangye 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 Zhangye would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zhangye 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 Zhangye Expensive? and Is Harbin Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Zhangye or Harbin?

Harbin has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Zhangye. When comparing the sizes of Zhangye 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.

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