A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nikko vs. Benxi for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Nikko or Benxi?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Nikko and Benxi can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Nikko or Benxi?

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.

Benxi

Benxi, China is a city in the south east of the Liaoning Province in northeast China. The city itself is a major industrial hub, but is best known for the Benxi Shuidong National Park where you'll find the famous five million year old water cave. Benxi experiences cold winters, with weather being less enjoyable for touring from November through March. May through August see much warmer weather, getting up to the high 80's Fahrenheit in late summer. September and October are also good times to visit as temperatures cool to 60-70 degrees.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Japan, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Japan, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China.

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

Which is Bigger, Nikko or Benxi?

Benxi has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Nikko. When comparing the sizes of Nikko and Benxi, 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 Nikko or Benxi?

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 Nikko or Benxi in the Summer?

Both Benxi and Nikko during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Nikko because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Nikko is around the same temperature as Benxi. Typically, the summer temperatures in Nikko in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Benxi averages at about 25°C (78°F).

In Benxi, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Nikko often gets less sunshine than Benxi. Nikko gets 136 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Benxi receives 214 hours of full sun.

Benxi gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Nikko. Nikko usually gets less rain in July than Benxi. Nikko gets 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Benxi receives 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nikko or Benxi in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Nikko and Benxi. 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.

In October, Nikko is generally a little warmer than Benxi. Daily temperatures in Nikko average around 16°C (61°F), and Benxi fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Benxi this time of the year. Nikko usually receives less sunshine than Benxi during autumn. Nikko gets 167 hours of sunny skies, while Benxi receives 216 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Nikko gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Nikko usually receives more rain than Benxi. Nikko gets 117 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Benxi receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Nikko or Benxi in the Winter?

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

Benxi can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Nikko. Nikko is much warmer than Benxi in the winter. The daily temperature in Nikko averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Benxi fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nikko this time of the year. In the winter, Nikko often gets more sunshine than Benxi. Nikko gets 212 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Benxi receives 167 hours of full sun.

Nikko usually gets more rain in January than Benxi. Nikko gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Benxi receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nikko or Benxi in the Spring?

Both Benxi and Nikko are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Nikko in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Nikko is a little warmer than Benxi. Typically, the spring temperatures in Nikko in April average around 13°C (55°F), and Benxi averages at about 11°C (51°F).

It's quite sunny in Benxi. Nikko usually receives less sunshine than Benxi during spring. Nikko gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Benxi receives 241 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Nikko. In April, Nikko usually receives more rain than Benxi. Nikko gets 108 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Benxi receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Benxi and Nikko