A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Longsheng vs. Koyasan for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Longsheng or Koyasan?

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 Longsheng and Koyasan. 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: Longsheng or Koyasan?

Longsheng

A county of the city, Guilin, Longsheng is a hub of several ethnic cultures that thrive on farming and tourism. It is located about 50 or so miles north of the Guilin city center. The region is perhaps most known for the Dragon's Backbone Rice Terraces located in Heping Township. These, along with many other natural features like hot springs, waterfalls, and meadows are a few of the main attractions that draw visitors to Longsheng.

Koyasan

Mount Koya, Japan is a mountain city located just south of Osaka in the Wakayama prefecture. The area is known as the headquarters of the Shingnon sect of Japanese Buddhism and was first settled in 816. Over time, it has developed into the small town of Koya that is now home to a religious studies university and over 100 temples, many of which offer accommodation.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, The Best Adventure Tours to China, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Japan, and The Best Historical Tours in Japan.

When comparing the travel costs between Longsheng and Koyasan, we can see that Koyasan 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 Longsheng Expensive? and Is Koyasan Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Longsheng or Koyasan?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Longsheng or Koyasan in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Longsheng as well as Koyasan. Additionally, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Koyasan this time of year.

Longsheng is around the same temperature as Koyasan in the summer. The daily temperature in Longsheng averages around 30°C (86°F) in July, and Koyasan fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

It's quite rainy in Koyasan. Longsheng receives a lot of rain in the summer. Longsheng usually gets more rain in July than Koyasan. Longsheng gets 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Longsheng or Koyasan in the Autumn?

Both Koyasan and Longsheng are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Koyasan for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Longsheng is a little warmer than Koyasan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Longsheng in October average around 23°C (73°F), and Koyasan averages at about 19°C (65°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Koyasan. In October, Longsheng usually receives less rain than Koyasan. Longsheng gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Longsheng or Koyasan in the Winter?

Both Koyasan and Longsheng during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Koyasan in the winter for the museums and the cuisine.

In January, Longsheng is generally much warmer than Koyasan. Daily temperatures in Longsheng average around 10°C (49°F), and Koyasan fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

Longsheng usually gets more rain in January than Koyasan. Longsheng gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Longsheng or Koyasan in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Longsheng and Koyasan. Also, most visitors come to Koyasan for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.

Longsheng is a little warmer than Koyasan in the spring. The daily temperature in Longsheng averages around 20°C (68°F) in April, and Koyasan fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

Koyasan receives a lot of rain in the spring. Longsheng gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Longsheng usually receives more rain than Koyasan. Longsheng gets 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Koyasan and Longsheng