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

Should you visit Hongcun or Yakushima?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Hongcun and Yakushima can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Hongcun or Yakushima?

Hongcun

When you picture ancient China, you likely picture old cobblestone streets, white homes with pointed black roofs and a slight air of mysticism in the surroundings. This is Hongcun.

The backdrop for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is not usually on the top of many traveler's lists. This isn't a bustling tourist town with guides offering to show you the sights or carts peddling the latest tacky souvenir. It's a quiet village where you'll see the real Chinese culture. The homes along the complex water canals air their fish in their windows to preserve it for their family dinners. There is no bowing to tourism here.

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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, The Best Adventure Tours to 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 Hongcun and Yakushima, we can see that Yakushima is more expensive. And not only is Hongcun much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hongcun would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hongcun 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 Hongcun.

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

When is the best time to visit Hongcun 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 Hongcun or Yakushima in the Summer?

Both Yakushima and Hongcun are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.

In July, Hongcun is generally around the same temperature as Yakushima. Daily temperatures in Hongcun average around 29°C (85°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Yakushima. It's quite rainy in Hongcun. In July, Hongcun usually receives around the same amount of rain as Yakushima. Hongcun gets 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 189 mm (7.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Hongcun or Yakushima in the Autumn?

Both Yakushima and Hongcun during the autumn are popular places to visit.

Hongcun is cooler than Yakushima in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hongcun averages around 19°C (65°F) in October, and Yakushima fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

Yakushima gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Hongcun usually gets less rain in October than Yakushima. Hongcun gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hongcun or Yakushima in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Hongcun and Yakushima.

Hongcun can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Hongcun is much colder than Yakushima. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hongcun in January average around 4°C (40°F), and Yakushima averages at about 11°C (52°F).

Yakushima receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Hongcun usually receives less rain than Yakushima. Hongcun gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Hongcun or Yakushima in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Hongcun as well as Yakushima.

In April, Hongcun is generally around the same temperature as Yakushima. Daily temperatures in Hongcun average around 17°C (62°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

It's quite rainy in Yakushima. Hongcun receives a lot of rain in the spring. Hongcun usually gets less rain in April than Yakushima. Hongcun gets 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 207 mm (8.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Yakushima and Hongcun