A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nanjing vs. Dewa Sanzan for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Nanjing or Dewa Sanzan?

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

Should I visit Nanjing or Dewa Sanzan? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Nanjing or Dewa Sanzan?

Nanjing

Nanjing is the capital city of the Jiangsu Province on the central eastern coast of China, just north of Shanghai. This historically and culturally rich city lies at the lower end of the Yangtze river, resulting in lush and scenic landscapes. Nanjing is well-known for having many popular historical sites, some of which have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Dewa Sanzan

Dewa Sanzan, Japan is a picturesque city in the Tohoku region which consists solely of the three sacred mountains: Mount Haguro, Mount Gassan, and Mount Yudono. The mountains are considered holy to the Japanese Shinto religion and are a popular pilgrimage site, especially since many ascetic pilgrims live in the mountains and are occasionally spotted throughout the various hiking trails.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, The Best Contiki Tours to Japan, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan.


Which place is cheaper, Dewa Sanzan or Nanjing?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Nanjing is $96, while the average daily cost in Dewa Sanzan is $65. 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 Nanjing and Dewa Sanzan in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Nanjing $46
    Dewa Sanzan $28
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Nanjing $92
    Dewa Sanzan $56
Compare Hotels in Nanjing and Dewa Sanzan

Looking for a hotel in Nanjing or Dewa Sanzan? 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.

Hotels in Nanjing


Hotels in Dewa Sanzan


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: Dewa Sanzan Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Nanjing $38
    Dewa Sanzan $22

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nanjing

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nanjing:

  • Zhenjiang Private Transfer Service from Nanjing City or Lukou Airport : $78
  • Yangzhou Private Transfer Service from Nanjing City or Lukou Airport : $80
  • Tangshan Hot Spring Resorts Private Transfer from Nanjing Railway Station: $44
  • Private Transfer to Yangzhou City from Nanjing Lukou Airport : $109
  • Private Transfer to Nanjing Railway Station from Lukou Airport : $45
  • Private Transfer to Gaochun City from Nanjing Lukou Airport: $88
  • Private Transfer to Gaochun City from Nanjing : $88
  • Private Transfer between Nanjing Olympic Stadium and City Hotel: $33
  • Private Transfer between Nanjing Jinniuhu Wild Animal Park and City Hotels: $62
  • Private Transfer Between Tangshan Hot Spring Resort and Nanjing Lukou Airport: $49
  • Private Round Trip Transfer to Zhenjiang from Nanjing: $94
  • Private Round Trip Transfer to Yangzhou Attractions from Nanjing: $89

Is it cheaper to fly into Nanjing or Dewa Sanzan?

Prices for flights to both Dewa Sanzan and Nanjing 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Nanjing $28
    Dewa Sanzan $24

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nanjing

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nanjing.

  • 3-Hour Nanjing Authentic Local Food Tour by Public Transportation: $93
  • Flexible Private Nanjing City Night Tour with Dinner Option : $112
  • Nanjing City Private Night Tour with Qinghuai River Cruise and Dinner Option: $114
  • Nanjing Tangshan Mountain Hot Spring Experience and Hot Pot Dinner: $175
  • Private Amazing Nanjing Airport Layover Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $181

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Nanjing $9.27
    Dewa Sanzan $9.23

Tours and Activities in Nanjing

Here are a few actual costs in Nanjing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Half-Day Nanjing City Private Flexible Tour : $109
  • 2-Day Unlimited Nanjing Private Flexible Tour with Lunch Option : $295
  • 4-Hour Nanjing City Private Tailor-Made Tour in Your Way : $109
  • 4-Hour Nanjing Private Tour: Xiaoling Tomb, Ming City Wall and Memorial Hall : $115
  • All Inclusive Amazing Nanjing City Highlights Private Day Tour: $193
  • All Inclusive Nanjing City Private Day Tour with Tailor-Made Highlights: $213
  • All-inclusive Customized Nanjing Layover Tour: $201
  • Beijing Great Wall Tour from Nanjing by Bullet Train with Private Car Service: $282
  • Flexible Private Nanjing City Highlights Day Tour: $164
  • Flexible Private Nanjing Independent Tour : $63
  • Flexible Zhenjiang Private Day Tour from Nanjing: $197
  • Half Day Nanjing City Private Flexible Tour with Night River Cruise: $165

Tours and Activities in Dewa Sanzan

For Dewa Sanzan, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Tsuruoka & Dewa-Sanzan Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide: $228

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Nanjing $9.46
    Dewa Sanzan $7.27


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

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



When is the best time to visit Nanjing or Dewa Sanzan?

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 Nanjing or Dewa Sanzan in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Nanjing as well as Dewa Sanzan. Also, many travelers come to Dewa Sanzan for the hiking.

Nanjing is a little warmer than Dewa Sanzan in the summer. The daily temperature in Nanjing averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and Dewa Sanzan fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

It's quite rainy in Dewa Sanzan. Nanjing receives a lot of rain in the summer. Nanjing usually gets less rain in July than Dewa Sanzan. Nanjing gets 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 191 mm (7.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Nanjing 28°C (83°F) 
    Dewa Sanzan 23°C (74°F)

Should I visit Nanjing or Dewa Sanzan in the Autumn?

Both Dewa Sanzan and Nanjing are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Dewa Sanzan in the autumn for the hiking trails.

In the autumn, Nanjing is a little warmer than Dewa Sanzan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nanjing in October average around 17°C (63°F), and Dewa Sanzan averages at about 13°C (56°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Dewa Sanzan. In October, Nanjing usually receives less rain than Dewa Sanzan. Nanjing gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Nanjing 17°C (63°F) 
    Dewa Sanzan 13°C (56°F)

Should I visit Nanjing or Dewa Sanzan in the Winter?

Both Dewa Sanzan and Nanjing during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Dewa Sanzan for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

Dewa Sanzan can be very cold during winter. Nanjing can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Nanjing is generally much warmer than Dewa Sanzan. Daily temperatures in Nanjing average around 3°C (37°F), and Dewa Sanzan fluctuates around -1°C (30°F).

Dewa Sanzan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Nanjing usually gets less rain in January than Dewa Sanzan. Nanjing gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Nanjing 3°C (37°F) 
    Dewa Sanzan -1°C (30°F)

Should I visit Nanjing or Dewa Sanzan in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Nanjing and Dewa Sanzan.

Nanjing is much warmer than Dewa Sanzan in the spring. The daily temperature in Nanjing averages around 15°C (60°F) in April, and Dewa Sanzan fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).

Nanjing gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Nanjing usually receives around the same amount of rain as Dewa Sanzan. Nanjing gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Nanjing 15°C (60°F) 
    Dewa Sanzan 9°C (47°F)

Typical Weather for Dewa Sanzan and Nanjing

Nanjing Dewa Sanzan
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (37°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) -1°C (30°F) 206 mm (8.1 in)
Feb 4°C (40°F) 52 mm (2 in) -1°C (30°F) 151 mm (6 in)
Mar 9°C (48°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 2°C (35°F) 116 mm (4.6 in)
Apr 15°C (60°F) 101 mm (4 in) 9°C (47°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
May 21°C (69°F) 88 mm (3.5 in) 15°C (59°F) 96 mm (3.8 in)
Jun 25°C (77°F) 114 mm (4.5 in) 20°C (67°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Jul 28°C (83°F) 174 mm (6.9 in) 23°C (74°F) 191 mm (7.5 in)
Aug 28°C (83°F) 158 mm (6.2 in) 25°C (77°F) 174 mm (6.8 in)
Sep 23°C (74°F) 105 mm (4.1 in) 20°C (68°F) 154 mm (6.1 in)
Oct 17°C (63°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 13°C (56°F) 152 mm (6 in)
Nov 11°C (52°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 7°C (44°F) 207 mm (8.1 in)
Dec 5°C (41°F) 25 mm (1 in) 2°C (35°F) 231 mm (9.1 in)