Which place is cheaper, Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) or Luang Prabang?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Luang Prabang or Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Luang Prabang or Huangshan (Yellow Mountain), this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Luang Prabang or Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)?
Luang Prabang
Southeast Asia is a region full of mystical wonders and cultural charm, but nowhere is as charming as the city of Luang Prabang. As the former capital of Laos, Luang Prabang was reopened to tourism in 1989. With that move the city experienced an upswing in revenue and was able to restore and rebuild the beautiful colonial mansions to serve as guesthouses and hotels for the new swarm of tourists.
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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Laos, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Laos, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China.
-
Luang Prabang Prices
Laos PricesHuangshan (Yellow Mountain) Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLuang Prabang $18Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) $72
The average daily cost (per person) in Luang Prabang is $18, while the average daily cost in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) is $72. 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 Luang Prabang and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLuang Prabang $5.60Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) $25
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLuang Prabang $11Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) $50
Compare Hotels in Luang Prabang and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)
Looking for a hotel in Luang Prabang 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.
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: Luang Prabang Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Luang Prabang $2.07Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) $10
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Luang Prabang
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Luang Prabang are as follows:
-
Tuk Tuk Ride$2.31
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Luang Prabang
Also for Luang Prabang, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Luang Prabang Private Airport transfers: $9.00
- LPQ Airport: Private Transfer to/from Luang Prabang City: $20
- 2D Transfer to Huay Xai by Slow Boat: $61
- 2-Day Private Tour with Airport Transfers: $165
- From 3-Day Oudomxay Town Trip with Transfers: $580
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$3.64
Is it cheaper to fly into Luang Prabang or Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)?
Prices for flights to both Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) and Luang Prabang 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 dayLuang Prabang $9.25Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) $33
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Luang Prabang
For Luang Prabang, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Luang Prabang Local Market and Morning Food Tour with Drinks: $39
- Bamboo Weaving Workshop & Cooking Class: $44
- Day-time Bamboo weaving & Cooking Classes join-in: $44
- Luangprabang: Dinner with Lao Traditional Dance Performance: $45
- Mekong Meals Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $45
- Cooking Class at the Former Royal Palace: $45
- Prabang Plates Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $45
- Mekong Meals Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $46
- Laos: Prabang Plates Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $46
- Evening Bamboo weaving & Cooking classes join-in: $47
- Mekong River Sunset & Lao Tasting Dinner: $49
- Evening Cooking Class & Local Baci Ceremony: $51
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Luang Prabang $2.66Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) $27
Tours and Activities in Luang Prabang
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Luang Prabang.
- Shuttle Bus ticket to Kuang Si Waterfalls: $8.00
- Farm Tour and Buffalo Buffet Adventure: $9.00
- Audio-Guided City Tour in Electric Car: $14
- Laos Railway: Train Tickets Easily - Skip the Lines - No worries : $30
- Kuang Si Waterfalls and Hmong Village Half-Day Tour: $30
- Small Group Half Day Luang Prabang city tour: $30
- Sunset Cruise Luang Prabang: $35
- Unwind with a Sunset Cruise on the Mekong River: $35
- UNESCO World Heritage City Highlights Tour: $35
- Full day / Half Day Kayaking and Pak Ou Caves with optional sunset cruise: $41
- From Guided Mountain Bike Tour with Lunch: $42
- Kayak Tour to Pak Ou Caves: $43
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 dayLuang Prabang $1.78Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) $16
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Luang Prabang and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain), we can see that Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) is more expensive. And not only is Luang Prabang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Luang Prabang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Luang Prabang 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 Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) than you might in Luang Prabang.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Luang Prabang Expensive? and Is Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Luang Prabang or Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)?
Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Luang Prabang experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) in the Summer?
Both Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) and Luang Prabang during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Luang Prabang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In July, Luang Prabang is generally around the same temperature as Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). Daily temperatures in Luang Prabang average around 28°C (82°F), and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) fluctuates around 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 Luang Prabang. Luang Prabang usually gets more rain in July than Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). Luang Prabang gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) receives 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyLuang Prabang 28°C (82°F)Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) 29°C (85°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Luang Prabang and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Luang Prabang year-round.
Luang Prabang is a little warmer than Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) in the autumn. The daily temperature in Luang Prabang averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).
Luang Prabang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Luang Prabang usually receives more rain than Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). Luang Prabang gets 126 mm (5 in) of rain, while Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLuang Prabang 26°C (79°F)Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) 19°C (65°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Luang Prabang as well as Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). Luang Prabang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
The weather in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) can be very cold. In the winter, Luang Prabang is much warmer than Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). Typically, the winter temperatures in Luang Prabang in January average around 21°C (70°F), and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) averages at about 4°C (40°F).
Luang Prabang usually gets less rain in January than Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). Luang Prabang gets 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLuang Prabang 21°C (70°F)Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) in the Spring?
Both Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) and Luang Prabang are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Luang Prabang throughout the year.
In April, Luang Prabang is generally much warmer than Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). Daily temperatures in Luang Prabang average around 28°C (82°F), and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). It's quite rainy in Luang Prabang. In April, Luang Prabang usually receives less rain than Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). Luang Prabang gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) receives 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilLuang Prabang 28°C (82°F)Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) 17°C (62°F)
Typical Weather for Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) and Luang Prabang
| Luang Prabang | Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 23°C (73°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 235 mm (9.2 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 185 mm (7.3 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 121 mm (4.7 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 126 mm (5 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 36 mm (1.4 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.