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

Should you visit Dalian or Yakushima?

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

Should I visit Dalian or Yakushima? 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 Yakushima?

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.

Yakushima

Yakushima, Japan is a UNESCO World Heritage island located north of Okinawa and off the south east of of Kyushu. The island is well-known to Japanese tourists but not so much to international ones, making it a bit of a hidden gem to international tourists. This also means that English isn't spoken as much as in larger cities, so make sure to brush up on your Japanese and bring a dictionary.

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 Yakushima, we can see that Yakushima is more expensive. And not only is Dalian much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Dalian would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dalian 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 Yakushima would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Yakushima than you might in Dalian.

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

When is the best time to visit Dalian or Yakushima?

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 Yakushima in the Summer?

Both Yakushima and Dalian during the summer are popular places to visit.

In July, Dalian is generally cooler than Yakushima. Daily temperatures in Dalian average around 24°C (75°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Yakushima gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Dalian. Dalian usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Yakushima. Dalian gets 202 mm (8 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 189 mm (7.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dalian or Yakushima in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Dalian and Yakushima.

Dalian is cooler than Yakushima in the autumn. The daily temperature in Dalian averages around 15°C (58°F) in October, and Yakushima fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

Yakushima receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Dalian usually receives less rain than Yakushima. Dalian gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Dalian or Yakushima in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Dalian as well as Yakushima.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Dalian. In the winter, Dalian is much colder than Yakushima. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dalian in January average around -4°C (25°F), and Yakushima averages at about 11°C (52°F).

It's quite rainy in Yakushima. Dalian usually gets less rain in January than Yakushima. Dalian gets 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dalian or Yakushima in the Spring?

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

In April, Dalian is generally much colder than Yakushima. Daily temperatures in Dalian average around 11°C (51°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Yakushima. In April, Dalian usually receives less rain than Yakushima. Dalian gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 207 mm (8.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Yakushima and Dalian