A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) vs. Matsue for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) or Matsue?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) and Matsue. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) or Matsue?

Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)

In the heart of the Anhui Province of China is the stunning Mount Huangshan, or Yellow Mountain. This UNESCO World Heritage Site draws in visitors from around the world to take in the stunning views and conquer a new challenge.

Mount Huangshan is one of the most popular destinations in China. Because of this, most of the towns and regions around it also use the name Huangshan. Even the closest town, Tunxi, has begun going by Huangshan City. Keep this in mind as it could potentially cause some confusion in transit.

The whole of Huangshan has 36 separate peaks rising approximately 1,800 meters into the air. It is often covered in a spiritual-feeling mist that makes the peaks appear to live in the clouds. It has inspired artists for centuries, and is often thought to be the model for the typical mountain ranges seen in ancient Chinese paintings.

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 10-Day Tours in China, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China, The Best Contiki Tours to Japan, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan.

When comparing the travel costs between Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) 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 Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) Expensive? and Is Matsue Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) 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 Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) or Matsue in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) and Matsue. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Matsue because of the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) is generally a little warmer than Matsue. Daily temperatures in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) average around 29°C (85°F), and Matsue fluctuates around 25°C (78°F).

Matsue receives a lot of rain in the summer. Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) usually receives less rain than Matsue. Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) gets 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 268 mm (10.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) or Matsue in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) as well as Matsue. Additionally, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Matsue this time of year.

Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) is a little warmer than Matsue in the autumn. The daily temperature in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) averages around 19°C (65°F) in October, and Matsue fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

It's quite rainy in Matsue. Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) usually gets less rain in October than Matsue. Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) or Matsue in the Winter?

Both Matsue and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Matsue for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Matsue. It's quite cold in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) in the winter. In the winter, Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) is around the same temperature as Matsue. Typically, the winter temperatures in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) in January average around 4°C (40°F), and Matsue averages at about 4°C (39°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Matsue. In January, Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) usually receives less rain than Matsue. Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) or Matsue in the Spring?

Both Matsue and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Matsue in the spring for the natural beauty.

In April, Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) is generally a little warmer than Matsue. Daily temperatures in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) average around 17°C (62°F), and Matsue fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Matsue gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) usually gets more rain in April than Matsue. Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) gets 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Matsue and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)