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

Should you visit Shenyang or Sado?

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

Should I visit Shenyang or Sado? 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: Shenyang or Sado?

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!

Sado

Sado Island, Japan is located just off the coast of Niigata and is an old gold mining town that has since developed into a quiet summer holiday destination. The island is home to two mountain ranges, O-Sado in the north and Ko-sado in the south, with the popular Kuninaka plain in between the mountain ranges. With the remoteness of the island, it has become a popular destination for tourists to experience old Japan and get away from the busy mainland.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in China, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China, The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan.

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

When is the best time to visit Shenyang or Sado?

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 Shenyang or Sado in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Shenyang as well as Sado. Also, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Sado this time of year.

In July, Shenyang is generally around the same temperature as Sado. Daily temperatures in Shenyang average around 25°C (77°F), and Sado fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Shenyang this time of the year. In the summer, Shenyang often gets more sunshine than Sado. Shenyang gets 214 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sado receives 198 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Sado. Shenyang receives a lot of rain in the summer. Shenyang usually gets more rain in July than Sado. Shenyang gets 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Sado receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Shenyang or Sado in the Autumn?

Both Sado and Shenyang are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Sado for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

Shenyang is much colder than Sado in the autumn. The daily temperature in Shenyang averages around 10°C (51°F) in October, and Sado fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Shenyang. Shenyang usually receives more sunshine than Sado during autumn. Shenyang gets 216 hours of sunny skies, while Sado receives 155 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sado. In October, Shenyang usually receives less rain than Sado. Shenyang gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Sado receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Shenyang or Sado in the Winter?

Both Sado and Shenyang during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Sado in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Sado can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Shenyang. In the winter, Shenyang is much colder than Sado. Typically, the winter temperatures in Shenyang in January average around -11°C (13°F), and Sado averages at about 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Shenyang often gets more sunshine than Sado. Shenyang gets 167 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sado receives 65 hours of full sun.

Sado gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Shenyang usually gets less rain in January than Sado. Shenyang gets 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Sado receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Shenyang or Sado in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Shenyang and Sado.

In April, Shenyang is generally around the same temperature as Sado. Daily temperatures in Shenyang average around 10°C (50°F), and Sado fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).

In Shenyang, it's very sunny this time of the year. Shenyang usually receives more sunshine than Sado during spring. Shenyang gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Sado receives 194 hours of full sun in the spring.

Sado receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Shenyang usually receives less rain than Sado. Shenyang gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Sado receives 102 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Sado and Shenyang