A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dalian vs. Dewa Sanzan for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Dalian or Dewa Sanzan?

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

Should I visit Dalian or Dewa Sanzan? 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: Dalian or Dewa Sanzan?

Dalian

Dalian, China is a very large peninsula city located in the southernmost part of the Liaoning Province in northeast China. The area has a wealth of history, with roots in Russian and Japanese rule, resulting in unique architecture and many universities that attract foreign students and teachers. Dalian is also known for their beautiful green spaces and relaxing beaches which juxtapose a lot of the more industrial cities found throughout other areas of northern China.

Dewa Sanzan

Dewa Sanzan, Japan is a picturesque city in the Tohoku region which consists solely of the three sacred mountains: Mount Haguro, Mount Gassan, and Mount Yudono. The mountains are considered holy to the Japanese Shinto religion and are a popular pilgrimage site, especially since many ascetic pilgrims live in the mountains and are occasionally spotted throughout the various hiking trails.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Contiki Tours to Japan, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dalian and Dewa Sanzan, we can see that Dalian is more expensive. And not only is Dewa Sanzan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Dewa Sanzan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dewa Sanzan 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 Dalian would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dalian than you might in Dewa Sanzan.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dalian Expensive? and Is Dewa Sanzan Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Dalian or Dewa Sanzan?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Dalian or Dewa Sanzan in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Dalian and Dewa Sanzan. Furthermore, many travelers come to Dewa Sanzan for the hiking.

In July, Dalian is generally around the same temperature as Dewa Sanzan. Daily temperatures in Dalian average around 24°C (75°F), and Dewa Sanzan fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

Dewa Sanzan receives a lot of rain in the summer. Dalian gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Dalian usually receives around the same amount of rain as Dewa Sanzan. Dalian gets 202 mm (8 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 191 mm (7.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Dalian or Dewa Sanzan in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Dalian as well as Dewa Sanzan. Additionally, many visitors come to Dewa Sanzan in the autumn for the hiking trails.

Dalian is a little warmer than Dewa Sanzan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Dalian averages around 15°C (58°F) in October, and Dewa Sanzan fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

It's quite rainy in Dewa Sanzan. Dalian usually gets less rain in October than Dewa Sanzan. Dalian gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dalian or Dewa Sanzan in the Winter?

Both Dewa Sanzan and Dalian are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Dewa Sanzan for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

Dewa Sanzan can be very cold during winter. Dalian can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Dalian is much colder than Dewa Sanzan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dalian in January average around -4°C (25°F), and Dewa Sanzan averages at about -1°C (30°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Dewa Sanzan. In January, Dalian usually receives less rain than Dewa Sanzan. Dalian gets 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Dalian or Dewa Sanzan in the Spring?

Both Dewa Sanzan and Dalian during the spring are popular places to visit.

In April, Dalian is generally a little warmer than Dewa Sanzan. Daily temperatures in Dalian average around 11°C (51°F), and Dewa Sanzan fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).

Dalian usually gets less rain in April than Dewa Sanzan. Dalian gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Dewa Sanzan and Dalian