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

Should you visit Hefei or Sendai?

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

Should I visit Hefei or Sendai? 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 Sendai?

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.

Sendai

Sendai, Japan is located in the Toohoku region on the main Honshu island. It is often referred to as "Forest City" due to the large amount of green space throughout the city and the tree filled parks and public spaces. Sendai is a very pleasant city to visit; they are in close proximity to both mountains and the sea and have many large universities throughout the city, making it a popular college town.

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 Sendai, we can see that Sendai 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 Sendai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sendai 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 Sendai Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Hefei or Sendai?

Hefei has a larger population, and is about 34% larger than the population of Sendai. When comparing the sizes of Hefei and Sendai, 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 Sendai?

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 Sendai in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Hefei as well as Sendai. Also, many visitors come to Sendai in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Hefei is a little warmer than Sendai in the summer. The daily temperature in Hefei averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Sendai fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

It's quite rainy in Sendai. Hefei receives a lot of rain in the summer. Hefei usually gets more rain in July than Sendai. Hefei gets 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hefei or Sendai in the Autumn?

Both Sendai and Hefei are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Sendai for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Hefei is a little warmer than Sendai. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hefei in October average around 18°C (64°F), and Sendai averages at about 15°C (59°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sendai. In October, Hefei usually receives less rain than Sendai. Hefei gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Hefei or Sendai in the Winter?

Both Sendai and Hefei during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Sendai because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Sendai can be very cold. Hefei can be very cold during winter. In January, Hefei is generally much warmer than Sendai. Daily temperatures in Hefei average around 3°C (38°F), and Sendai fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).

Hefei usually gets less rain in January than Sendai. Hefei gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hefei or Sendai in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Hefei and Sendai. Furthermore, the beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Sendai this time of year.

Hefei is much warmer than Sendai in the spring. The daily temperature in Hefei averages around 16°C (61°F) in April, and Sendai fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).

In April, Hefei usually receives around the same amount of rain as Sendai. Hefei gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Sendai and Hefei