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

Should you visit Longsheng or Mashiko?

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 Mashiko. 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 Mashiko?

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.

Mashiko

Mashiko is a town in Japan famous for its pottery, called "Mashiko yaki." Large noborigama kilns were first brought to the area in 1853 by immigrant potters from a neighboring community in the Ibaraki prefecture. It is also home to the site of Saimyoji temple, one of the oldest temples in Tochigi prefecture, as well as the shrine of the Utsunomiya han.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, The Best Adventure Tours to 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 Longsheng and Mashiko, we can see that Longsheng is more expensive. And not only is Mashiko much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Mashiko would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mashiko 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 Longsheng would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Longsheng than you might in Mashiko.

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

When is the best time to visit Longsheng or Mashiko?

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 Longsheng or Mashiko in the Summer?

Both Mashiko and Longsheng are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Mashiko for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Longsheng is a little warmer than Mashiko. Typically, the summer temperatures in Longsheng in July average around 30°C (86°F), and Mashiko averages at about 24°C (75°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Mashiko. It's quite rainy in Longsheng. In July, Longsheng usually receives more rain than Mashiko. Longsheng gets 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain, while Mashiko receives 117 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Longsheng or Mashiko in the Autumn?

Both Mashiko and Longsheng during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Mashiko because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere.

In October, Longsheng is generally a little warmer than Mashiko. Daily temperatures in Longsheng average around 23°C (73°F), and Mashiko fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Mashiko gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Longsheng usually gets less rain in October than Mashiko. Longsheng gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Mashiko receives 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Longsheng or Mashiko in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Longsheng and Mashiko. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Mashiko this time of year.

It's quite cold in Mashiko in the winter. Longsheng is much warmer than Mashiko in the winter. The daily temperature in Longsheng averages around 10°C (49°F) in January, and Mashiko fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In January, Longsheng usually receives more rain than Mashiko. Longsheng gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Mashiko receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Longsheng or Mashiko in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Longsheng as well as Mashiko. Also, many travelers come to Mashiko for the small town charm.

In the spring, Longsheng is much warmer than Mashiko. Typically, the spring temperatures in Longsheng in April average around 20°C (68°F), and Mashiko averages at about 12°C (53°F).

It's quite rainy in Mashiko. Longsheng receives a lot of rain in the spring. Longsheng usually gets more rain in April than Mashiko. Longsheng gets 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain, while Mashiko receives 118 mm (4.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Mashiko and Longsheng