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

Should you visit Dalian or Shiretoko National Park?

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

Should I visit Dalian or Shiretoko National Park? 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 Shiretoko National Park?

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.

Shiretoko National Park

Shiretoko National Park, Japan is comprises the entire Shiretoko Penninusla in the northeast island of Hokkaido. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is considered to be one of the most remote areas in Japan with very few and very small settlements. This makes Shiretoko the perfect place for a fun hiking and camping adventure.

While the park is open year round, the weather in the area tends to greatly affect the enjoyment of your trip due to harsh winters and heavy rain at the end of summer. There is a short period from May to early July that is considered the best time to visit due to slightly less rain and comfortable temperatures around 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Dalian or Shiretoko National Park?

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 Shiretoko National Park in the Summer?

Both Shiretoko National Park and Dalian during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Shiretoko National Park in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Dalian is a little warmer than Shiretoko National Park in the summer. The daily temperature in Dalian averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Shiretoko National Park fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Dalian. Dalian usually gets more rain in July than Shiretoko National Park. Dalian gets 202 mm (8 in) of rain, while Shiretoko National Park receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dalian or Shiretoko National Park in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Dalian and Shiretoko National Park. Also, most visitors come to Shiretoko National Park for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Dalian is a little warmer than Shiretoko National Park. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dalian in October average around 15°C (58°F), and Shiretoko National Park averages at about 10°C (51°F).

In October, Dalian usually receives less rain than Shiretoko National Park. Dalian gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Shiretoko National Park receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Dalian or Shiretoko National Park in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Dalian as well as Shiretoko National Park.

The weather in Shiretoko National Park can be very cold. Dalian can be very cold during winter. In January, Dalian is generally much warmer than Shiretoko National Park. Daily temperatures in Dalian average around -4°C (25°F), and Shiretoko National Park fluctuates around -6°C (20°F).

Dalian usually gets less rain in January than Shiretoko National Park. Dalian gets 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Shiretoko National Park receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dalian or Shiretoko National Park in the Spring?

Both Shiretoko National Park and Dalian are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Shiretoko National Park this time of year.

It's quite cold in Shiretoko National Park in the spring. Dalian is much warmer than Shiretoko National Park in the spring. The daily temperature in Dalian averages around 11°C (51°F) in April, and Shiretoko National Park fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

In April, Dalian usually receives less rain than Shiretoko National Park. Dalian gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Shiretoko National Park receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Shiretoko National Park and Dalian