A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ao Nang vs. Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Ao Nang or Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Ao Nang or Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

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

Ao Nang

If you're looking for a relaxing beach on the coast of Thailand, it might be time to make a trip to Ao Nang. This developed and "westernized" beach was once the place to be for backpackers, but is now quite popular with package tourist crowds, too, as prices have risen in recent decades. Here you'll find nice hotels, restaurants, and plenty of fun activities at the beach and nearby, too.

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 Tours Under $1000 in Thailand, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ao Nang and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain), we can see that Ao Nang 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 Ao Nang would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ao Nang 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 Ao Nang Expensive? and Is Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) Expensive?.

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

Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Ao Nang experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Ao Nang or Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Ao Nang as well as Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). Ao Nang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Ao Nang is around the same temperature as Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) in the summer. The daily temperature in Ao Nang averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).

It's quite rainy in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). Ao Nang receives a lot of rain in the summer. Ao Nang usually gets more rain in July than Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). Ao Nang gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) receives 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain this time of the year. August to October in Ao Nang is the rainy season.

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

Both Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) and Ao Nang are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ao Nang throughout the year.

In the autumn, Ao Nang is a little warmer than Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). Typically, the autumn temperatures in Ao Nang in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) averages at about 19°C (65°F).

It's quite rainy in Ao Nang. In October, Ao Nang usually receives more rain than Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). Ao Nang gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Ao Nang is December to March. The rainy season in Ao Nang is August to October.

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

Both Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) and Ao Nang during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Ao Nang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). In January, Ao Nang is generally much warmer than Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). Daily temperatures in Ao Nang average around 28°C (82°F), and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

Ao Nang usually gets less rain in January than Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). Ao Nang gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year. December to March is the dry season in Ao Nang.

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

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Ao Nang and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ao Nang year-round.

Ao Nang is much warmer than Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) in the spring. The daily temperature in Ao Nang averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) receives a lot of rain in the spring. Ao Nang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Ao Nang usually receives less rain than Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). Ao Nang gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) receives 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) and Ao Nang