A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kanazawa vs. Shenyang for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Kanazawa or Shenyang?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Kanazawa and Shenyang can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Kanazawa or Shenyang?

Kanazawa

An important city of the Edo-period, Kanazawa is a well preserved city from a time when samurai, merchants, geisha, and lords made up the core of its culture. Though it is often overlooked by foreigners, the city is a gem of Japanese tourism with a number of preserved historic districts, temples, regional handicrafts, art museums, and some of the best food to be had in Japan.

Shenyang

Shenyang, China is the capital, and largest, city in the Liaoning Province in northwest China which borders North Korea. Shenyang has a long, imperial, history and is the birthplace of the Qing Dynasty. The city has a blend of beautifully preserved architecture and modern buildings, creating a pleasant atmosphere for exploring!

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Japan, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Japan, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Kanazawa or Shenyang?

Shenyang has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Kanazawa. When comparing the sizes of Kanazawa and Shenyang, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Kanazawa or Shenyang?

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 Kanazawa or Shenyang in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kanazawa and Shenyang. Most visitors come to Kanazawa for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Kanazawa is around the same temperature as Shenyang. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kanazawa in July average around 26°C (78°F), and Shenyang averages at about 25°C (77°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Shenyang this time of the year. Kanazawa usually receives less sunshine than Shenyang during summer. Kanazawa gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Shenyang receives 214 hours of full sun in the summer.

Shenyang receives a lot of rain in the summer. Kanazawa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Kanazawa usually receives more rain than Shenyang. Kanazawa gets 251 mm (9.9 in) of rain, while Shenyang receives 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Kanazawa or Shenyang in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Kanazawa as well as Shenyang. The autumn months attract visitors to Kanazawa because of the shopping scene.

In October, Kanazawa is generally much warmer than Shenyang. Daily temperatures in Kanazawa average around 17°C (62°F), and Shenyang fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Shenyang. In the autumn, Kanazawa often gets less sunshine than Shenyang. Kanazawa gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Shenyang receives 216 hours of full sun.

Kanazawa receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kanazawa usually gets more rain in October than Shenyang. Kanazawa gets 203 mm (8 in) of rain, while Shenyang receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kanazawa or Shenyang in the Winter?

Both Shenyang and Kanazawa are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Kanazawa this time of year.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Shenyang. It's quite cold in Kanazawa in the winter. Kanazawa is much warmer than Shenyang in the winter. The daily temperature in Kanazawa averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Shenyang fluctuates around -11°C (13°F).

Kanazawa usually receives less sunshine than Shenyang during winter. Kanazawa gets 67 hours of sunny skies, while Shenyang receives 167 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Kanazawa. In January, Kanazawa usually receives more rain than Shenyang. Kanazawa gets 294 mm (11.6 in) of rain, while Shenyang receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Kanazawa or Shenyang in the Spring?

Both Shenyang and Kanazawa during the spring are popular places to visit.

In the spring, Kanazawa is a little warmer than Shenyang. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kanazawa in April average around 12°C (54°F), and Shenyang averages at about 10°C (50°F).

In Shenyang, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Kanazawa often gets less sunshine than Shenyang. Kanazawa gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Shenyang receives 241 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kanazawa. Kanazawa usually gets more rain in April than Shenyang. Kanazawa gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Shenyang receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Shenyang and Kanazawa