Which place is cheaper, Kanazawa or Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)?
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 Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) or Kanazawa?
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 Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) and Kanazawa. 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: Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) or Kanazawa?
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.
Kanazawa
An important city of the Edo-period, Kanazawa is a well preserved city from a time when samurai, merchants, geisha, and lords made up the core of its culture. Though it is often overlooked by foreigners, the city is a gem of Japanese tourism with a number of preserved historic districts, temples, regional handicrafts, art museums, and some of the best food to be had in Japan.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in China, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Japan, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Japan.
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Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) Prices
China PricesKanazawa Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHuangshan (Yellow Mountain) $72Kanazawa $131
The average daily cost (per person) in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) is $72, while the average daily cost in Kanazawa is $131. 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 Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) and Kanazawa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHuangshan (Yellow Mountain) $25Kanazawa $66
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHuangshan (Yellow Mountain) $50Kanazawa $132
Compare Hotels in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) and Kanazawa
Looking for a hotel in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) or Kanazawa? 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Kanazawa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) $10Kanazawa $9.66
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain):
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Shuttle Bus to Tangkou for Two$3.64
Is it cheaper to fly into Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) or Kanazawa?
Prices for flights to both Kanazawa and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) 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 dayHuangshan (Yellow Mountain) $33Kanazawa $58
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kanazawa
For Kanazawa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Authentic Japanese Cooking and Sushi-Making Lesson: $101
- traditional Japanese & sushi cooking classes: $103
- Fishing Experience with Gyotaku and Cooking: $422
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) $27Kanazawa $10
Typical Entertainment Prices in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) are as follows:
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Two Entrance Tickets$64
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Two Cable Car Passes$22
Tours and Activities in Kanazawa
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Kanazawa.
- Rental Kimono Selfie Photo Experience: $21
- Ring making experience　 Completed in about 1 hour! : $23
- Private Ring Craft Experience in Kanazawa: $23
- Selfie Photo Experience with Rental Kimono - Moon: $23
- Selfie Photo Experience with Rental Kimono - Color: $27
- Tea Ceremony Experience at Kenrokuen: $30
- Kanazawa:Traditional Experience -kimono rent at wargo: $33
- Kenrokuen Tea Ceremony Experience: $37
- 2-Hour Private Tour of Omicho Market with Tastings: $54
- Private Custom Tour with Local Guide: $54
- Private Walking Tour with a Local: $55
- Market Tastings and Castle Town Adventure in Kanazawa: $55
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHuangshan (Yellow Mountain) $16Kanazawa $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Kanazawa
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Kanazawa:
- Kanazawa Historic Brewery: Fermentation Tour, Tasting, Lunch: $81
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) and Kanazawa, we can see that Kanazawa 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 Kanazawa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kanazawa 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 Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) Expensive? and Is Kanazawa Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) or Kanazawa?
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 Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) or Kanazawa in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) as well as Kanazawa. Also, many visitors come to Kanazawa in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) is a little warmer than Kanazawa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) in July average around 29°C (85°F), and Kanazawa averages at about 26°C (78°F).
It's quite rainy in Kanazawa. Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) receives a lot of rain in the summer. Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) usually gets less rain in July than Kanazawa. Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) gets 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 251 mm (9.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHuangshan (Yellow Mountain) 29°C (85°F)Kanazawa 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) or Kanazawa in the Autumn?
Both Kanazawa and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Kanazawa for the shopping scene during these months.
In October, Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) is generally a little warmer than Kanazawa. Daily temperatures in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) average around 19°C (65°F), and Kanazawa fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kanazawa. In October, Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) usually receives less rain than Kanazawa. Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 203 mm (8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHuangshan (Yellow Mountain) 19°C (65°F)Kanazawa 17°C (62°F)
Should I visit Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) or Kanazawa in the Winter?
Both Kanazawa and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Kanazawa because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Kanazawa can be very cold. Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) can be very cold during winter. Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) is a little warmer than Kanazawa in the winter. The daily temperature in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) averages around 4°C (40°F) in January, and Kanazawa fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).
Kanazawa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) usually gets less rain in January than Kanazawa. Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 294 mm (11.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHuangshan (Yellow Mountain) 4°C (40°F)Kanazawa 3°C (38°F)
Should I visit Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) or Kanazawa in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) and Kanazawa.
In the spring, Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) is a little warmer than Kanazawa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) in April average around 17°C (62°F), and Kanazawa averages at about 12°C (54°F).
Kanazawa receives a lot of rain in the spring. Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) usually receives more rain than Kanazawa. Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) gets 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHuangshan (Yellow Mountain) 17°C (62°F)Kanazawa 12°C (54°F)
Typical Weather for Kanazawa and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)
| Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) | Kanazawa | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 4°C (40°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 294 mm (11.6 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (42°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 192 mm (7.6 in) |
| Mar | 10°C (51°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (62°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| May | 22°C (71°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Jun | 26°C (78°F) | 235 mm (9.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 202 mm (8 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 185 mm (7.3 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 251 mm (9.9 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 121 mm (4.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 248 mm (9.8 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (65°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 203 mm (8 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (44°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 306 mm (12 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.