Which place is cheaper, Harbin or Yaeyama Islands?
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 Yaeyama Islands 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 Yaeyama Islands 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: Yaeyama Islands or Harbin?
Yaeyama Islands
The Yaeyama Islands is a cluster of islands located in the southwestern part of Japan, close to Taiwan. There are nine different islands, varying from small islets to large holiday resort islands. The Yaeyama Islands are one of the most popular destination in Japan due to their beautiful beaches and underwater ruins. Yaeyama is also known for having their own language and writing system. For the most part, everyone on the Islands speak Japanese, but you'll often find the Yaeyama writing on T-shirts in souvenir shops or scattered around Yaeyama.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Tokyo, The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, The Best 2-Week Tours in China, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China.
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Yaeyama Islands Prices
Japan PricesHarbin Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayYaeyama Islands $118Harbin $66
The average daily cost (per person) in Yaeyama Islands is $118, while the average daily cost in Harbin is $66. 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 Yaeyama Islands and Harbin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personYaeyama Islands $56Harbin $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomYaeyama Islands $112Harbin $42
Compare Hotels in Yaeyama Islands and Harbin
Looking for a hotel in Yaeyama Islands 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Yaeyama Islands Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Yaeyama Islands $19Harbin $1.52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Harbin
Also for Harbin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Harbin Airport (HRB) : Private Arrival Transfer with Meet & Greet Service: $32
- Harbin Taiping Airport Chauffeur Service, Harbin Airport Transfer, Pick up.: $59
- 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
- Harbin Catholic Church Car Transfer Service: $80
- 4 Hour Private Transfer to Sun Island Snow Sculptures: $100
- Private Departure Transfer to Harbin North Railway Station from Harbin City: $100
- Harbin Ice Festival Tickets and Transfer Service : $148
- Private Full Day Transfer Service to Harbin Top Winter Attractions: $198
- Shared Transfer Service to Ice and Snow World, Sun Island Snow Festival: $250
- Harbin Volga Manor Private Transfer Service with Entry Tickets: $300
Is it cheaper to fly into Yaeyama Islands or Harbin?
Prices for flights to both Harbin and Yaeyama Islands 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 dayYaeyama Islands $50Harbin $24
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Harbin
For Harbin, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Dinner Show with Costumes and Performances: $29
- Harbin Cultural Tour at Zhongyang Dajie to Baluoke with Dinner: $80
- Central Street, Baluoke Village, and Dinner Tour: $90
- Harbin Dumpling Cooking Class: $154
- Hot Spring Experience with Hot Pot Dinner in Harbin: $300
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Yaeyama Islands $8.93Harbin $53
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
- Half Day Tour for Harbin Guandong Ancient Lane and Wood Sculpture Museum: $104
- 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
- Harbin City Guided Tour to Zhongyang Street and Sophia Church: $180
- Private Half Day City Tour including Russian Town and Harbin Ropeway Ride: $198
- Small Group Night Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow World: $199
- Harbin City Private Day Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $200
- Harbin Ice Festival New Year Eve Countdown Group Tour on December 31: $200
- Private Half Day Tour to Unit 731 Museum and Sites in Harbin: $218
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayYaeyama Islands $6.51Harbin $7.96
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 Yaeyama Islands and Harbin, we can see that Yaeyama Islands 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 Yaeyama Islands would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Yaeyama Islands 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 Yaeyama Islands Expensive? and Is Harbin Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Yaeyama Islands or Harbin?
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 Yaeyama Islands or Harbin in the Summer?
Both Harbin and Yaeyama Islands during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Yaeyama Islands for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Yaeyama Islands is a little warmer than Harbin. Typically, the summer temperatures in Yaeyama Islands in July average around 29°C (85°F), and Harbin averages at about 24°C (75°F).
Harbin gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Yaeyama Islands. Yaeyama Islands usually gets more rain in July than Harbin. Yaeyama Islands gets 179 mm (7 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 153 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyYaeyama Islands 29°C (85°F)Harbin 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Yaeyama Islands or Harbin in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Yaeyama Islands and Harbin. Many visitors come to Yaeyama Islands in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Yaeyama Islands is generally much warmer than Harbin. Daily temperatures in Yaeyama Islands average around 26°C (78°F), and Harbin fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).
Yaeyama Islands gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Yaeyama Islands usually receives more rain than Harbin. Yaeyama Islands gets 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberYaeyama Islands 26°C (78°F)Harbin 7°C (44°F)
Should I visit Yaeyama Islands or Harbin in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Yaeyama Islands as well as Harbin. Most visitors come to Yaeyama Islands for the museums and the cuisine during these months.
The weather in Harbin can be very cold. Yaeyama Islands is much warmer than Harbin in the winter. The daily temperature in Yaeyama Islands averages around 18°C (64°F) in January, and Harbin fluctuates around -18°C (-0°F).
Yaeyama Islands receives a lot of rain in the winter. Yaeyama Islands usually gets more rain in January than Harbin. Yaeyama Islands gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryYaeyama Islands 18°C (64°F)Harbin -18°C (-0°F)
Should I visit Yaeyama Islands or Harbin in the Spring?
Both Harbin and Yaeyama Islands are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Yaeyama Islands because of the beaches and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Yaeyama Islands is much warmer than Harbin. Typically, the spring temperatures in Yaeyama Islands in April average around 23°C (74°F), and Harbin averages at about 8°C (46°F).
It's quite rainy in Yaeyama Islands. In April, Yaeyama Islands usually receives more rain than Harbin. Yaeyama Islands gets 147 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 21 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the spring. The rainy season in Yaeyama Islands is May to June.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilYaeyama Islands 23°C (74°F)Harbin 8°C (46°F)
Typical Weather for Harbin and Yaeyama Islands
| Yaeyama Islands | Harbin | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 18°C (64°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | -18°C (-0°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Feb | 19°C (65°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | -14°C (7°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 20°C (69°F) | 126 mm (5 in) | -3°C (26°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 23°C (74°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 231 mm (9.1 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 203 mm (8 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 179 mm (7 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 229 mm (9 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (78°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | -4°C (24°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Dec | 20°C (67°F) | 134 mm (5.3 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.