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

Should you visit Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) or Shiretoko National Park?

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 Shiretoko National Park. 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 Shiretoko National Park?

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.

Shiretoko National Park

Shiretoko National Park, Japan is comprises the entire Shiretoko Penninusla in the northeast island of Hokkaido. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is considered to be one of the most remote areas in Japan with very few and very small settlements. This makes Shiretoko the perfect place for a fun hiking and camping adventure.

While the park is open year round, the weather in the area tends to greatly affect the enjoyment of your trip due to harsh winters and heavy rain at the end of summer. There is a short period from May to early July that is considered the best time to visit due to slightly less rain and comfortable temperatures around 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

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 Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) and Shiretoko National Park, we can see that Shiretoko National Park is more expensive. And not only is Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) 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 Shiretoko National Park would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Shiretoko National Park than you might in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain).

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 Shiretoko National Park Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) or Shiretoko National Park?

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 Shiretoko National Park in the Summer?

Both Shiretoko National Park and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Shiretoko National Park for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) is much warmer than Shiretoko National Park in the summer. The daily temperature in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) averages around 29°C (85°F) in July, and Shiretoko National Park fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

It's quite rainy in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). In July, Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) usually receives more rain than Shiretoko National Park. Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) gets 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain, while Shiretoko National Park receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) or Shiretoko National Park in the Autumn?

Both Shiretoko National Park and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Shiretoko National Park because of the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) is much warmer than Shiretoko National Park. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) in October average around 19°C (65°F), and Shiretoko National Park averages at about 10°C (51°F).

Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Shiretoko National Park. Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Shiretoko National Park receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) or Shiretoko National Park in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) and Shiretoko National Park.

It's quite cold in Shiretoko National Park in the winter. The weather in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) can be very cold. In January, Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) is generally much warmer than Shiretoko National Park. Daily temperatures in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) average around 4°C (40°F), and Shiretoko National Park fluctuates around -6°C (20°F).

In January, Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) usually receives less rain than Shiretoko National Park. Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Shiretoko National Park receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) or Shiretoko National Park in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) as well as Shiretoko National Park. Also, many travelers come to Shiretoko National Park for the natural beauty.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Shiretoko National Park. Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) is much warmer than Shiretoko National Park in the spring. The daily temperature in Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) averages around 17°C (62°F) in April, and Shiretoko National Park fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) receives a lot of rain in the spring. Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) usually gets more rain in April than Shiretoko National Park. Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) gets 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Shiretoko National Park receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Shiretoko National Park and Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)