Which place is cheaper, Nikko or Longsheng?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Longsheng or Nikko?
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 Nikko. 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 Nikko?
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.
Nikko
Nikko is a small Japanese city located in the mountains north of Tokyo. It is well-known for the site of Toshogu, a famed Shinto shrine established in 1617, in memory of Tokugawa Ieyasu who was the founding ruler of the Edo Period. The town is situated just outside of Nikko National Park which offers scenic mountain landscapes, lakes, waterfalls, hot springs, wild monkeys, and hiking trails.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, The Best Adventure Tours to China, The Best 10-Day Tours in Japan, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Japan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLongsheng $78Nikko $82
The average daily cost (per person) in Longsheng is $78, while the average daily cost in Nikko is $82. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Longsheng and Nikko in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLongsheng $20Nikko $46
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLongsheng $40Nikko $92
Compare Hotels in Longsheng and Nikko
Looking for a hotel in Longsheng or Nikko? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Nikko Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Longsheng $41Nikko -
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nikko
Also for Nikko, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Haneda Airport to/from Nikko City Private Transfer: $613
- Narita Airport to/from Nikko City Private Transfer: $613
- Kinugawa Osen to Tokyo Narita Airport Private Departure Transfer: $263
- Kinugawa Osen to Tokyo Haneda Airport Departure Private Transfer: $263
Is it cheaper to fly into Longsheng or Nikko?
Prices for flights to both Nikko and Longsheng change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayLongsheng $35Nikko $31
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Longsheng $8.38Nikko $21
Tours and Activities in Nikko
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Nikko.
- Full Day Private Nikko Tour from Tokyo with English Driver: $474
- Full-Day Private Nikko Tour with English Speaking Driver: $600
- Nikko Custom Full Day Tour: $228
- Nikko Custom Half Day Tour: $144
- Nikko Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide: $137
- Nikko Private Full-Day Sightseeing Day Tour: $474
- Nikko Toshogu, Lake Chuzenjiko & Kegon Waterfall 1 Day Tour: $483
- Nikko self-guided tour app with multi-language audioguide: $4.28
- Visit the Unexplored Regions of Lake Chuzenji-Scenic Trekking and Rafting Tour: $76
- World Heritage Nikko Walking Tour - Toshogu Shrine, Kanmangafuchi: $59
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLongsheng $7.89Nikko $15
When comparing the travel costs between Longsheng and Nikko, we can see that Nikko 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 Nikko Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Longsheng or Nikko?
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 Nikko in the Summer?
Both Nikko and Longsheng are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Nikko because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Longsheng is generally a little warmer than Nikko. Daily temperatures in Longsheng average around 30°C (86°F), and Nikko fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Nikko. It's quite rainy in Longsheng. In July, Longsheng usually receives more rain than Nikko. Longsheng gets 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain, while Nikko receives 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLongsheng 30°C (86°F)Nikko 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Longsheng or Nikko in the Autumn?
Both Nikko and Longsheng during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Nikko this time of year.
Longsheng is a little warmer than Nikko in the autumn. The daily temperature in Longsheng averages around 23°C (73°F) in October, and Nikko fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
Nikko gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Longsheng usually gets less rain in October than Nikko. Longsheng gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Nikko receives 117 mm (4.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLongsheng 23°C (73°F)Nikko 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Longsheng or Nikko in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Longsheng and Nikko. Furthermore, many travelers come to Nikko for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Nikko. In the winter, Longsheng is much warmer than Nikko. Typically, the winter temperatures in Longsheng in January average around 10°C (49°F), and Nikko averages at about 3°C (37°F).
In January, Longsheng usually receives more rain than Nikko. Longsheng gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Nikko receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLongsheng 10°C (49°F)Nikko 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Longsheng or Nikko in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Longsheng as well as Nikko. Additionally, many visitors come to Nikko in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.
In April, Longsheng is generally much warmer than Nikko. Daily temperatures in Longsheng average around 20°C (68°F), and Nikko fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
It's quite rainy in Nikko. Longsheng receives a lot of rain in the spring. Longsheng usually gets more rain in April than Nikko. Longsheng gets 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain, while Nikko receives 108 mm (4.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLongsheng 20°C (68°F)Nikko 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Nikko and Longsheng
| Longsheng | Nikko | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (49°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (51°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Mar | 15°C (59°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Apr | 20°C (68°F) | 263 mm (10.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 108 mm (4.2 in) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 334 mm (13.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 139 mm (5.5 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 320 mm (12.6 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (86°F) | 168 mm (6.6 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 195 mm (7.7 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 201 mm (7.9 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) |
| Nov | 17°C (63°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (53°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 32 mm (1.2 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.