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

Should you visit Hefei or Yakushima?

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

Should I visit Hefei 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: Hefei or Yakushima?

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.

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 Adventure Tours to China, The Best Sightseeing 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 Hefei and Yakushima, we can see that Yakushima 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 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 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 Yakushima Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Hefei or Yakushima?

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 Yakushima in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hefei and Yakushima.

Hefei is around the same temperature as Yakushima in the summer. The daily temperature in Hefei averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Yakushima fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Yakushima receives a lot of rain in the summer. Hefei gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Hefei usually receives less rain than Yakushima. Hefei gets 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 189 mm (7.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Hefei or Yakushima in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Hefei as well as Yakushima.

In the autumn, Hefei is cooler than Yakushima. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hefei in October average around 18°C (64°F), and Yakushima averages at about 22°C (71°F).

It's quite rainy in Yakushima. Hefei usually gets less rain in October than Yakushima. Hefei gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hefei or Yakushima in the Winter?

Both Yakushima and Hefei are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Hefei. In January, Hefei is generally much colder than Yakushima. Daily temperatures in Hefei average around 3°C (38°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Yakushima. In January, Hefei usually receives less rain than Yakushima. Hefei gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Hefei or Yakushima in the Spring?

Both Yakushima and Hefei during the spring are popular places to visit.

Hefei is around the same temperature as Yakushima in the spring. The daily temperature in Hefei averages around 16°C (61°F) in April, and Yakushima fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

Yakushima gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Hefei usually gets less rain in April than Yakushima. Hefei gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 207 mm (8.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Yakushima and Hefei