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

Should you visit Hefei or Ise?

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

Should I visit Hefei or Ise? 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 Ise?

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.

Ise

A coastal city of Japan, Ise is best known for the Ise Shrine, arguably the holiest and most important Shinto site and the reputed home of the Emperor's Sacred Mirror. The shrine dates back to 4 BC and actually consists of two shrines: the inner shrine called Naiku and the outer shrine called Geku.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to China, The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan, and The Best Cultural Tours in Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hefei and Ise, we can see that Ise 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 Ise would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ise 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 Ise Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Hefei or Ise?

Hefei has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Ise. When comparing the sizes of Hefei and Ise, 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 Ise?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Hefei or Ise in the Summer?

Both Ise and Hefei are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Ise for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Hefei is around the same temperature as Ise in the summer. The daily temperature in Hefei averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Ise fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Ise. It's quite rainy in Hefei. In July, Hefei usually receives less rain than Ise. Hefei gets 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Ise receives 219 mm (8.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Hefei or Ise in the Autumn?

Both Ise and Hefei during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Ise because of the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Hefei is around the same temperature as Ise. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hefei in October average around 18°C (64°F), and Ise averages at about 17°C (63°F).

Ise gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Hefei usually gets less rain in October than Ise. Hefei gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Ise receives 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hefei or Ise in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Hefei and Ise. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Ise this time of year.

It's quite cold in Ise in the winter. The weather in Hefei can be very cold. In January, Hefei is generally cooler than Ise. Daily temperatures in Hefei average around 3°C (38°F), and Ise fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

In January, Hefei usually receives less rain than Ise. Hefei gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Ise receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Hefei or Ise in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Hefei as well as Ise. Also, many travelers come to Ise for the beaches.

Hefei is a little warmer than Ise in the spring. The daily temperature in Hefei averages around 16°C (61°F) in April, and Ise fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

It's quite rainy in Ise. Hefei usually gets less rain in April than Ise. Hefei gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Ise receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Ise and Hefei