A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hefei vs. Atami for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Hefei or Atami?

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

Should I visit Hefei or Atami? 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: Hefei or Atami?

Hefei

While most would consider the city of Hefei a pass-through destination, there are plenty of things to see in the capital city of China's Anhui province.

Atami

Sharing a home with the famous Mount Fuji inside the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, Atami is a Japanese city set on the seaside of the Izu Peninsula. With volcanic hills and natural hot springs, visitors are very much drawn to the unique landscape of the place. There are many hot springs resorts that take advantage of the area's natural features, which have been attracting visitors since the 8th century.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to China, The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Hefei or Atami?

Hefei has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Atami. When comparing the sizes of Hefei and Atami, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Hefei or Atami?

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 Hefei or Atami in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Hefei as well as Atami. Additionally, most visitors come to Atami for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Hefei is a little warmer than Atami in the summer. The daily temperature in Hefei averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Atami fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

It's quite rainy in Atami. Hefei receives a lot of rain in the summer. Hefei usually gets less rain in July than Atami. Hefei gets 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Atami receives 202 mm (8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hefei or Atami in the Autumn?

Both Atami and Hefei are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Atami because of the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Hefei is around the same temperature as Atami. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hefei in October average around 18°C (64°F), and Atami averages at about 18°C (64°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Atami. In October, Hefei usually receives less rain than Atami. Hefei gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Atami receives 154 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Hefei or Atami in the Winter?

Both Atami and Hefei during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Atami this time of year.

The weather in Hefei can be very cold. In January, Hefei is generally much colder than Atami. Daily temperatures in Hefei average around 3°C (38°F), and Atami fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).

Hefei usually gets less rain in January than Atami. Hefei gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Atami receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hefei or Atami in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Hefei and Atami. Also, many travelers come to Atami for the beaches.

Hefei is a little warmer than Atami in the spring. The daily temperature in Hefei averages around 16°C (61°F) in April, and Atami fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

Atami receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Hefei usually receives less rain than Atami. Hefei gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Atami receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Atami and Hefei