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

Should you visit Hefei or Matsue?

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

Should I visit Hefei or Matsue? 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 Matsue?

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.

Matsue

Matsue, Japan is located on the scenic shores of Lake Shinji in the Shimane Prefecture. Matsue is the capital city of the prefecture and is known as the water city due to being located between Lake Shinji, Lake Nakaumi, and the Sea of Japan. This historically rich city is famous for being a laid back samurai village with stunning sunsets and traditional confectioneries.

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

When comparing the travel costs between Hefei and Matsue, we can see that Matsue 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 Hefei Expensive? and Is Matsue Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Hefei or Matsue?

Hefei has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Matsue. When comparing the sizes of Hefei and Matsue, 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 Matsue?

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 Matsue in the Summer?

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

Hefei is a little warmer than Matsue in the summer. The daily temperature in Hefei averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Matsue fluctuates around 25°C (78°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Matsue. It's quite rainy in Hefei. In July, Hefei usually receives less rain than Matsue. Hefei gets 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 268 mm (10.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Hefei or Matsue in the Autumn?

Both Matsue and Hefei during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Matsue because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Hefei is around the same temperature as Matsue. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hefei in October average around 18°C (64°F), and Matsue averages at about 17°C (62°F).

Matsue gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Hefei usually gets less rain in October than Matsue. Hefei gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hefei or Matsue in the Winter?

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

It's quite cold in Matsue in the winter. The weather in Hefei can be very cold. In January, Hefei is generally cooler than Matsue. Daily temperatures in Hefei average around 3°C (38°F), and Matsue fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

Matsue receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Hefei usually receives less rain than Matsue. Hefei gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Hefei or Matsue in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Hefei as well as Matsue. Additionally, many travelers come to Matsue for the natural beauty.

Hefei is a little warmer than Matsue in the spring. The daily temperature in Hefei averages around 16°C (61°F) in April, and Matsue fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

It's quite rainy in Matsue. Hefei usually gets less rain in April than Matsue. Hefei gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Matsue and Hefei