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

Should you visit Nara or Shenyang?

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

Should I visit Nara or Shenyang? 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: Nara or Shenyang?

Nara

As Japan's first capital, Nara offers a world of tradition and culture second only to the city of Kyoto. It is home to eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which are largely concentrated in the area of Nara Park. Here, it is also common to see many deer wandering freely amongst the temples and shrines.

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 Sightseeing Tours in Japan, The Best Cultural 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 Nara and Shenyang, we can see that Nara 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 Nara would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nara 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 Nara Expensive? and Is Shenyang Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Nara or Shenyang?

Shenyang has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Nara. When comparing the sizes of Nara 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 Nara or Shenyang?

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 Nara or Shenyang in the Summer?

Both Shenyang and Nara during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Nara because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Nara is around the same temperature as Shenyang in the summer. The daily temperature in Nara averages around 27°C (80°F) in July, and Shenyang fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

In Shenyang, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Nara often gets less sunshine than Shenyang. Nara gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Shenyang receives 214 hours of full sun.

Shenyang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Nara. Nara usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Shenyang. Nara gets 186 mm (7.3 in) of rain, while Shenyang receives 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nara or Shenyang in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Nara and Shenyang. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Nara this time of year.

In the autumn, Nara is much warmer than Shenyang. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nara in October average around 17°C (63°F), and Shenyang averages at about 10°C (51°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Shenyang this time of the year. Nara usually receives less sunshine than Shenyang during autumn. Nara gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Shenyang receives 216 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Nara gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Nara usually receives more rain than Shenyang. Nara gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Shenyang receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Nara or Shenyang in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Nara as well as Shenyang. Many travelers come to Nara for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Shenyang can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Nara. In January, Nara is generally much warmer than Shenyang. Daily temperatures in Nara average around 4°C (40°F), and Shenyang fluctuates around -11°C (13°F).

In the winter, Nara often gets less sunshine than Shenyang. Nara gets 140 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Shenyang receives 167 hours of full sun.

Nara usually gets more rain in January than Shenyang. Nara gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Shenyang receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nara or Shenyang in the Spring?

Both Shenyang and Nara are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Nara in the spring for the natural beauty.

Nara is a little warmer than Shenyang in the spring. The daily temperature in Nara averages around 14°C (57°F) in April, and Shenyang fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

It's quite sunny in Shenyang. Nara usually receives less sunshine than Shenyang during spring. Nara gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Shenyang receives 241 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Nara. In April, Nara usually receives more rain than Shenyang. Nara gets 127 mm (5 in) of rain, while Shenyang receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Shenyang and Nara