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

Should you visit Dalian or Yaeyama Islands?

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

Should I visit Dalian or Yaeyama Islands? 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 Yaeyama Islands?

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.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Tokyo.

When comparing the travel costs between Dalian and Yaeyama Islands, we can see that Dalian is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

When is the best time to visit Dalian or Yaeyama Islands?

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 Yaeyama Islands in the Summer?

Both Yaeyama Islands and Dalian during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Yaeyama Islands because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Dalian is cooler than Yaeyama Islands. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dalian in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Yaeyama Islands averages at about 29°C (85°F).

Yaeyama Islands 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 Yaeyama Islands. Dalian gets 202 mm (8 in) of rain, while Yaeyama Islands receives 179 mm (7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dalian or Yaeyama Islands in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Dalian and Yaeyama Islands. Also, the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Yaeyama Islands this time of year.

In October, Dalian is generally much colder than Yaeyama Islands. Daily temperatures in Dalian average around 15°C (58°F), and Yaeyama Islands fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

Yaeyama Islands receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Dalian usually receives less rain than Yaeyama Islands. Dalian gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Yaeyama Islands receives 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Dalian or Yaeyama Islands in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Dalian as well as Yaeyama Islands. Also, many travelers come to Yaeyama Islands for the museums and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Dalian in the winter. Dalian is much colder than Yaeyama Islands in the winter. The daily temperature in Dalian averages around -4°C (25°F) in January, and Yaeyama Islands fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

It's quite rainy in Yaeyama Islands. Dalian usually gets less rain in January than Yaeyama Islands. Dalian gets 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Yaeyama Islands receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dalian or Yaeyama Islands in the Spring?

Both Yaeyama Islands and Dalian are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Yaeyama Islands in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Dalian is much colder than Yaeyama Islands. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dalian in April average around 11°C (51°F), and Yaeyama Islands averages at about 23°C (74°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Yaeyama Islands. In April, Dalian usually receives less rain than Yaeyama Islands. Dalian gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Yaeyama Islands receives 147 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the spring. The rainy season in Yaeyama Islands is May to June.

Typical Weather for Yaeyama Islands and Dalian