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

Should you visit Okinawa or Shenyang?

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 Okinawa and Shenyang. 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: Okinawa or Shenyang?

Okinawa

Okinawa is the southernmost prefecture of Japan and includes hundreds of the Ryukyu Islands. The chain of islands is off the southern mainland portion of the country and is made up of 49 inhabited islands and over one hundred uninhabited islands. Naha is Okinawa's capital, which is located in the southern part of Okinawa Island.

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 G Adventures Tours to Japan, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Tokyo, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China.


Which place is cheaper, Shenyang or Okinawa?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Okinawa is $104, while the average daily cost in Shenyang is $70. 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 Okinawa and Shenyang in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Okinawa $72
    Shenyang $41
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Okinawa $144
    Shenyang $82
Compare Hotels in Okinawa and Shenyang

Looking for a hotel in Okinawa or Shenyang? 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 Okinawa


Hotels in Shenyang


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.


Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Okinawa $9.32
    Shenyang $19

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Okinawa

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Okinawa:

  • Private Transfer from Okinawa Airport (OKA) to Nakagusuku Port: $85
  • Private Transfer from Nakagusuku Port to Okinawa Airport (OKA): $85
  • Private Transfer from Nakagusuku Port to Okinawa Airport (OKA): $94
  • Private Transfer from Nakagusuku Cruise Port to Naha City Hotels : $66
  • Private Transfer from Naha City Hotels to Nakagusuku Cruise Port : $59
  • Private Transfer from Naha City Hotels to Nakagusuku Cruise Port : $66
  • Okinawa Naha Airport (OKA) to Naha hotels - Arrival Transfer: $59
  • Okinawa Naha Airport (OKA) to Naha Hotels - Round-Trip Transfer: $118
  • Naha hotels to Okinawa Naha Airport (ОКА) - Departure Transfer: $59
  • Airport Transfer! Naha Airport (OKA) to Center of Naha: $124
  • Airport Transfer! Center of Naha to Naha Airport (OKA): $125

Is it cheaper to fly into Okinawa or Shenyang?

Prices for flights to both Shenyang and Okinawa 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
    Okinawa $23
    Shenyang $18

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Okinawa $14
    Shenyang $7.69

Tours and Activities in Okinawa

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Okinawa are as follows:

  • Okinawa Local Experience and Sunset Cycling Tour: $85
  • 2-Hour Private Gorilla Go Kart Experience in Okinawa: $68
  • 4 Person Group Tour Kerama Blue Cycling in Aka Island : $118
  • American Village &Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium Tour from Naha/Chatan: $78
  • Beautiful sunset kayak tour in Okinawa: $36
  • City of Romance and Great Figures Haebaru Cycling Tour: $99
  • Cycling Experience in the Historic City of Urasoe: $99
  • E-Bike Nature Tour in Shuri: $89
  • Jungle River Trek: private tour in Yanbaru, north Okinawa: $49
  • Karate History Tour in Okinawa: $106
  • Kayak & Snorkel: private tour in Yanbaru, north Okinawa: $111
  • Kayak Mangroves or Coral Reef: private tour in north Okinawa : $53

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Okinawa $14
    Shenyang $5.82

Sample the Local Flavors in Okinawa

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Okinawa:

  • Naha Local Pub Crawl: $110


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Okinawa and Shenyang, we can see that Okinawa 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 Okinawa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Okinawa 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 Okinawa Expensive? and Is Shenyang Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Okinawa or Shenyang?

Shenyang has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Okinawa. When comparing the sizes of Okinawa 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 Okinawa 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 Okinawa or Shenyang in the Summer?

Both Shenyang and Okinawa during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Okinawa this time of year.

In July, Okinawa is generally a little warmer than Shenyang. Daily temperatures in Okinawa average around 29°C (84°F), and Shenyang fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

In Shenyang, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Okinawa. In the summer, Okinawa often gets more sunshine than Shenyang. Okinawa gets 258 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 Okinawa. Okinawa usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Shenyang. Okinawa gets 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Shenyang receives 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Okinawa 29°C (84°F) 
    Shenyang 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Okinawa or Shenyang in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Okinawa and Shenyang. Many travelers come to Okinawa for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Okinawa is much warmer than Shenyang in the autumn. The daily temperature in Okinawa averages around 25°C (77°F) in October, and Shenyang fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Shenyang this time of the year. Okinawa usually receives less sunshine than Shenyang during autumn. Okinawa gets 174 hours of sunny skies, while Shenyang receives 216 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Okinawa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Okinawa usually receives more rain than Shenyang. Okinawa gets 152 mm (6 in) of rain, while Shenyang receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Okinawa 25°C (77°F) 
    Shenyang 10°C (51°F)

Should I visit Okinawa or Shenyang in the Winter?

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

Shenyang can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Okinawa is much warmer than Shenyang. Typically, the winter temperatures in Okinawa in January average around 16°C (61°F), and Shenyang averages at about -11°C (13°F).

In the winter, Okinawa often gets less sunshine than Shenyang. Okinawa gets 96 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Shenyang receives 167 hours of full sun.

Okinawa receives a lot of rain in the winter. Okinawa usually gets more rain in January than Shenyang. Okinawa gets 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Shenyang receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Okinawa 16°C (61°F) 
    Shenyang -11°C (13°F)

Should I visit Okinawa or Shenyang in the Spring?

Both Shenyang and Okinawa are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Okinawa for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Okinawa is generally much warmer than Shenyang. Daily temperatures in Okinawa average around 22°C (71°F), and Shenyang fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

It's quite sunny in Shenyang. Okinawa usually receives less sunshine than Shenyang during spring. Okinawa gets 149 hours of sunny skies, while Shenyang receives 241 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Okinawa. In April, Okinawa usually receives more rain than Shenyang. Okinawa gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Shenyang receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Okinawa 22°C (71°F) 
    Shenyang 10°C (50°F)

Typical Weather for Shenyang and Okinawa

Okinawa Shenyang
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 16°C (61°F) 125 mm (4.9 in) -11°C (13°F) 8 mm (0.3 in)
Feb 17°C (62°F) 107 mm (4.2 in) -7°C (19°F) 17 mm (0.7 in)
Mar 18°C (65°F) 156 mm (6.1 in) 1°C (34°F) 17 mm (0.7 in)
Apr 22°C (71°F) 164 mm (6.5 in) 10°C (50°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
May 24°C (76°F) 254 mm (10 in) 17°C (63°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Jun 27°C (80°F) 255 mm (10 in) 22°C (72°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Jul 29°C (84°F) 171 mm (6.7 in) 25°C (77°F) 174 mm (6.9 in)
Aug 28°C (83°F) 266 mm (10.5 in) 24°C (75°F) 153 mm (6 in)
Sep 28°C (82°F) 161 mm (6.3 in) 18°C (64°F) 76 mm (3 in)
Oct 25°C (77°F) 152 mm (6 in) 10°C (51°F) 36 mm (1.4 in)
Nov 22°C (71°F) 117 mm (4.6 in) 1°C (34°F) 17 mm (0.7 in)
Dec 18°C (65°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) -7°C (19°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)