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

Should you visit Dalian or Sado?

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

Should I visit Dalian or Sado? 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 Sado?

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.

Sado

Sado Island, Japan is located just off the coast of Niigata and is an old gold mining town that has since developed into a quiet summer holiday destination. The island is home to two mountain ranges, O-Sado in the north and Ko-sado in the south, with the popular Kuninaka plain in between the mountain ranges. With the remoteness of the island, it has become a popular destination for tourists to experience old Japan and get away from the busy mainland.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Japan, and The Best Luxury Tours to Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dalian and Sado, we can see that Dalian is more expensive. And not only is Sado much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sado would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sado 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 Sado.

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

When is the best time to visit Dalian or Sado?

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 Dalian or Sado in the Summer?

Both Sado and Dalian during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Sado this time of year.

In the summer, Dalian is around the same temperature as Sado. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dalian in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Sado averages at about 23°C (74°F).

Sado gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Dalian. Dalian usually gets more rain in July than Sado. Dalian gets 202 mm (8 in) of rain, while Sado receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dalian or Sado in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Dalian and Sado. Furthermore, many travelers come to Sado for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In October, Dalian is generally around the same temperature as Sado. Daily temperatures in Dalian average around 15°C (58°F), and Sado fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Sado receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Dalian usually receives less rain than Sado. Dalian gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Sado receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Dalian or Sado in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Dalian as well as Sado. Additionally, many visitors come to Sado in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Sado can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Dalian. Dalian is much colder than Sado in the winter. The daily temperature in Dalian averages around -4°C (25°F) in January, and Sado fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

It's quite rainy in Sado. Dalian usually gets less rain in January than Sado. Dalian gets 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Sado receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dalian or Sado in the Spring?

Both Sado and Dalian are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

In the spring, Dalian is around the same temperature as Sado. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dalian in April average around 11°C (51°F), and Sado averages at about 10°C (51°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sado. In April, Dalian usually receives less rain than Sado. Dalian gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Sado receives 102 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Sado and Dalian