A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Shenzhen vs. Yaeyama Islands for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Shenzhen or Yaeyama Islands?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Shenzhen and Yaeyama Islands 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: Shenzhen or Yaeyama Islands?

Shenzhen

Located in the Guangdong Province of southeastern China, Shenzhen is a metropolis that connects Hong Kong to China's mainland. It is one of China's most populous cities, inhabited by vast array of people from other Chinese regions.  It is perhaps best known for it shopping, collection of amusement parks, green parks, museums and galleries, and a few historic sites. It is on UNESCO's Creative Cities list.

Yaeyama Islands

The Yaeyama Islands is a cluster of islands located in the southwestern part of Japan, close to Taiwan. There are nine different islands, varying from small islets to large holiday resort islands. The Yaeyama Islands are one of the most popular destination in Japan due to their beautiful beaches and underwater ruins. Yaeyama is also known for having their own language and writing system. For the most part, everyone on the Islands speak Japanese, but you'll often find the Yaeyama writing on T-shirts in souvenir shops or scattered around Yaeyama.

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


Which place is cheaper, Yaeyama Islands or Shenzhen?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Shenzhen Prices
    China Prices
    Yaeyama Islands Prices
    Japan Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Shenzhen $140
    Yaeyama Islands $118

The average daily cost (per person) in Shenzhen is $140, while the average daily cost in Yaeyama Islands is $118. 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 Shenzhen and Yaeyama Islands in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Shenzhen $91
    Yaeyama Islands $56
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Shenzhen $182
    Yaeyama Islands $112
Compare Hotels in Shenzhen and Yaeyama Islands

Looking for a hotel in Shenzhen or Yaeyama Islands? 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 Shenzhen


Hotels in Yaeyama Islands


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.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Yaeyama Islands Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Shenzhen $15
    Yaeyama Islands $19

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shenzhen

Also for Shenzhen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfers to/from Bao'an Airport(SZX): $20
  • shenzhen airport private transfer: $31
  • [Airport Transfer] Shenzhen Airport 送 迎 Shenzhen City Transfer High reputation for service! : $32
  • A One-Way Disneyland Pick-Up Transfer to Hong Kong Hotel: $33
  • Private Transfer in Shenzhen with English Service: $35
  • A One-Way Hotel Pick-Up Transfer to Hong Kong Disneyland: $36
  • Shenzhen Private Transfer and Ongoing Travel Assistance: $39
  • Hong Kong Airport (HKG) to Hong Kong - Arrival Private Transfer: $45
  • Private Departure Transfer from Hong Kong to Hong Kong Airport: $45
  • Private Transfer - Hong Kong Airport (HKG) to Kai Tak Cruise Port: $47
  • Private Transfer - Kai Tak Cruise Port to Hong Kong Airport (HKG): $47
  • Shenzhen Bao'an Airport Private Arrival Transfer to City Center: $49

Is it cheaper to fly into Shenzhen or Yaeyama Islands?

Prices for flights to both Yaeyama Islands and Shenzhen 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
    Shenzhen $35
    Yaeyama Islands $50

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Shenzhen

For Shenzhen, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Hong Kong Street Food Tour with Locals - Dim Sum, Wonton & more: $53
  • Wet market tour & cooking class with local mum: $98
  • Explore Hong Kong: Mid-Autumn Festival Food Tour: $103
  • Discover Hong Kong’s Hidden Eats on a Tin Hau Food Tour: $109
  • Small-Group Hong Kong Island Food Tour: $116
  • Traditional Chinese Pun Choi cooking class in Hong Kong: $146
  • Private Food Tour in Hong Kong: $148
  • Hong Kong Street Food Tour with Local Guide: $149
  • The 10 Tastings of Hong Kong With Locals: Private Street Food Tour : $176
  • Hong Kong Private & Personalized Food Tour with a Local: $177
  • Asian Favorites Cooking Class in Hong Kong (4-Course Meal): $184
  • Hong Kong Style Noodles Cooking Class (Includes 4-Course Meal): $184

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Shenzhen $17
    Yaeyama Islands $8.93

Tours and Activities in Shenzhen

For Shenzhen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Introduction to Hong Kong: Central Tip Based Walking Tour: $2.64
  • Day in the life of a Hong Konger: Kowloon Tip Based Walking Tour: $2.64
  • Between Two Systems: Hong Kong's Living History Tip Based Tour: $2.64
  • Hong kong City Tour w/ Entry Fees & Lunch (2024) | 150+ booked: $2.64
  • Hong Kong Observation Wheel Ticket: $5.45
  • Hong Kong Airport Express Ticket: $10
  • Hong Kong Peak Tram and Sky Terrace 428 Tickets (Optional): $13
  • Monopoly Dreams Hong Kong Entry Ticket: $13
  • Hong Kong Airport Express Train Tickets(Avoid Heavy Traffic): $15
  • Hong Kong Airport Express E-Ticket : $15
  • The Victoria Peak Tram Ticket | Hong Kong: $15
  • Hong Kong Palace Museum Ticket: $17

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Shenzhen $19
    Yaeyama Islands $6.51

Sample the Local Flavors in Shenzhen

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

  • Hong Kong Pub Crawl at Lan Kwai Fong (LKF): $46


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Shenzhen and Yaeyama Islands, we can see that Shenzhen is more expensive. And not only is Yaeyama Islands much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Yaeyama Islands would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Yaeyama Islands 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 Shenzhen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Shenzhen than you might in Yaeyama Islands.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Shenzhen Expensive? and Is Yaeyama Islands Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Shenzhen or Yaeyama Islands?

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 Shenzhen or Yaeyama Islands in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Shenzhen as well as Yaeyama Islands. Also, many travelers come to Yaeyama Islands for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Shenzhen is around the same temperature as Yaeyama Islands. Typically, the summer temperatures in Shenzhen in July average around 30°C (85°F), and Yaeyama Islands averages at about 29°C (85°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Yaeyama Islands. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Shenzhen this time of the year. In the summer, Shenzhen often gets less sunshine than Yaeyama Islands. Shenzhen gets 231 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Yaeyama Islands receives 279 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Yaeyama Islands. Shenzhen receives a lot of rain in the summer. Shenzhen usually gets more rain in July than Yaeyama Islands. Shenzhen gets 323 mm (12.7 in) of rain, while Yaeyama Islands receives 179 mm (7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Shenzhen 30°C (85°F) 
    Yaeyama Islands 29°C (85°F)

Should I visit Shenzhen or Yaeyama Islands in the Autumn?

Both Yaeyama Islands and Shenzhen are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Yaeyama Islands in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Shenzhen is generally around the same temperature as Yaeyama Islands. Daily temperatures in Shenzhen average around 26°C (78°F), and Yaeyama Islands fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

Shenzhen usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Yaeyama Islands during autumn. Shenzhen gets 190 hours of sunny skies, while Yaeyama Islands receives 177 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Yaeyama Islands. It's quite rainy in Shenzhen. In October, Shenzhen usually receives less rain than Yaeyama Islands. Shenzhen gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Yaeyama Islands receives 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Shenzhen 26°C (78°F) 
    Yaeyama Islands 26°C (78°F)

Should I visit Shenzhen or Yaeyama Islands in the Winter?

Both Yaeyama Islands and Shenzhen during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Yaeyama Islands for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

Shenzhen is cooler than Yaeyama Islands in the winter. The daily temperature in Shenzhen averages around 16°C (60°F) in January, and Yaeyama Islands fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

In the winter, Shenzhen often gets more sunshine than Yaeyama Islands. Shenzhen gets 140 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Yaeyama Islands receives 97 hours of full sun.

Yaeyama Islands gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Shenzhen usually gets less rain in January than Yaeyama Islands. Shenzhen gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Yaeyama Islands receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Shenzhen 16°C (60°F) 
    Yaeyama Islands 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Shenzhen or Yaeyama Islands in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Shenzhen and Yaeyama Islands. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Yaeyama Islands because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Shenzhen is around the same temperature as Yaeyama Islands. Typically, the spring temperatures in Shenzhen in April average around 23°C (73°F), and Yaeyama Islands averages at about 23°C (74°F).

Shenzhen usually receives less sunshine than Yaeyama Islands during spring. Shenzhen gets 95 hours of sunny skies, while Yaeyama Islands receives 154 hours of full sun in the spring.

Yaeyama Islands receives a lot of rain in the spring. Shenzhen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Shenzhen usually receives around the same amount of rain as Yaeyama Islands. Shenzhen gets 154 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Yaeyama Islands receives 147 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the spring. Also, May to June is the rainy season in Yaeyama Islands.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Shenzhen 23°C (73°F) 
    Yaeyama Islands 23°C (74°F)

Typical Weather for Yaeyama Islands and Shenzhen

Shenzhen Yaeyama Islands
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 16°C (60°F) 26 mm (1 in) 18°C (64°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Feb 16°C (61°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 19°C (65°F) 113 mm (4.4 in)
Mar 19°C (66°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 20°C (69°F) 126 mm (5 in)
Apr 23°C (73°F) 154 mm (6.1 in) 23°C (74°F) 147 mm (5.8 in)
May 27°C (80°F) 325 mm (12.8 in) 26°C (79°F) 231 mm (9.1 in)
Jun 29°C (83°F) 382 mm (15 in) 28°C (82°F) 203 mm (8 in)
Jul 30°C (85°F) 323 mm (12.7 in) 29°C (85°F) 179 mm (7 in)
Aug 29°C (85°F) 393 mm (15.5 in) 29°C (84°F) 236 mm (9.3 in)
Sep 28°C (83°F) 300 mm (11.8 in) 28°C (82°F) 229 mm (9 in)
Oct 26°C (78°F) 143 mm (5.6 in) 26°C (78°F) 173 mm (6.8 in)
Nov 21°C (70°F) 35 mm (1.4 in) 23°C (73°F) 170 mm (6.7 in)
Dec 17°C (63°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 20°C (67°F) 134 mm (5.3 in)


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