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

Should you visit Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) or Sado?

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 Sado. 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 Sado?

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.

Sado

Sado Island, Japan is located just off the coast of Niigata and is an old gold mining town that has since developed into a quiet summer holiday destination. The island is home to two mountain ranges, O-Sado in the north and Ko-sado in the south, with the popular Kuninaka plain in between the mountain ranges. With the remoteness of the island, it has become a popular destination for tourists to experience old Japan and get away from the busy mainland.

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 Adventure Tours to Japan, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan.

When comparing the travel costs between Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) and Sado, we can see that Sado 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 Sado Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) or Sado?

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 Sado in the Summer?

Both Sado and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Sado for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) is a little warmer than Sado. Typically, the summer temperatures in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) in July average around 29°C (85°F), and Sado averages at about 23°C (74°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sado. It's quite rainy in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). In July, Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) usually receives more rain than Sado. Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) gets 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain, while Sado receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

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

Both Sado and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Sado in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In October, Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) is generally a little warmer than Sado. Daily temperatures in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) average around 19°C (65°F), and Sado fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Sado gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) usually gets less rain in October than Sado. Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Sado receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) and Sado. Furthermore, most visitors come to Sado for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Sado can be very cold during winter. Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) can get quite cold in the winter. Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) is much warmer than Sado in the winter. The daily temperature in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) averages around 4°C (40°F) in January, and Sado fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Sado receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) usually receives less rain than Sado. Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Sado receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

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

The spring brings many poeple to Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) as well as Sado.

In the spring, Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) is much warmer than Sado. Typically, the spring temperatures in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) in April average around 17°C (62°F), and Sado averages at about 10°C (51°F).

It's quite rainy in Sado. Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) receives a lot of rain in the spring. Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) usually gets more rain in April than Sado. Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) gets 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Sado receives 102 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Sado and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)