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

Should you visit Shenyang or Sendai?

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

Should I visit Shenyang or Sendai? 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 Sendai?

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!

Sendai

Sendai, Japan is located in the Toohoku region on the main Honshu island. It is often referred to as "Forest City" due to the large amount of green space throughout the city and the tree filled parks and public spaces. Sendai is a very pleasant city to visit; they are in close proximity to both mountains and the sea and have many large universities throughout the city, making it a popular college town.

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 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.

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

Which is Bigger, Shenyang or Sendai?

Shenyang has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Sendai. When comparing the sizes of Shenyang and Sendai, 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 Shenyang or Sendai?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Shenyang or Sendai in the Summer?

Both Sendai and Shenyang are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Sendai in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Shenyang is around the same temperature as Sendai in the summer. The daily temperature in Shenyang averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Sendai fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Shenyang. Shenyang usually receives more sunshine than Sendai during summer. Shenyang gets 214 hours of sunny skies, while Sendai receives 124 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sendai. It's quite rainy in Shenyang. In July, Shenyang usually receives more rain than Sendai. Shenyang gets 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Shenyang or Sendai in the Autumn?

Both Sendai and Shenyang during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Sendai for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Shenyang is cooler than Sendai. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Shenyang in October average around 10°C (51°F), and Sendai averages at about 15°C (59°F).

It's quite sunny in Shenyang. In the autumn, Shenyang often gets more sunshine than Sendai. Shenyang gets 216 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sendai receives 149 hours of full sun.

Sendai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Shenyang usually gets less rain in October than Sendai. Shenyang gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Shenyang or Sendai in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Shenyang and Sendai. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Sendai because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Sendai can be very cold. Shenyang can be very cold during winter. In January, Shenyang is generally much colder than Sendai. Daily temperatures in Shenyang average around -11°C (13°F), and Sendai fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).

Shenyang usually receives more sunshine than Sendai during winter. Shenyang gets 167 hours of sunny skies, while Sendai receives 149 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Shenyang usually receives less rain than Sendai. Shenyang gets 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Shenyang or Sendai in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Shenyang as well as Sendai. Additionally, the beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Sendai this time of year.

Shenyang is around the same temperature as Sendai in the spring. The daily temperature in Shenyang averages around 10°C (50°F) in April, and Sendai fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Shenyang this time of the year. In the spring, Shenyang often gets more sunshine than Sendai. Shenyang gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sendai receives 188 hours of full sun.

Shenyang usually gets less rain in April than Sendai. Shenyang gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Sendai and Shenyang