A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Vang Vieng vs. Chichibu-Tama-Kai for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Vang Vieng or Chichibu-Tama-Kai?

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

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Chichibu-Tama-Kai? 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: Vang Vieng or Chichibu-Tama-Kai?

Vang Vieng

Vang Vieng is a town in the Vientiane province of Laos that sits along the banks of the Nam Song River. With its beautifully carved karst topography cliffs towering over the winding river, the area has become very tourist-oriented for those seeking to explore the outdoor wonders. People from all over come to engage in the unique landscape-mountain biking, trekking, kayaking, caving, swimming, and rock climbing, amongst others.

Chichibu-Tama-Kai

Located at the intersection of the Saitama, Yamanashi, Nagano, and Tokyo Prefectures, Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park is a national park in Japan webbed with hiking trails and many ancient shrines. Mount Mitake, Mount Mitsumine, and Mount Mito are just three of the eight peaks that tower above the park at over 2000 meters, while rivers sources flowing below include the Arakawa River, Shinano River, Tama River, and Fuefuki River (Fuji River).

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

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Vang Vieng Expensive? and Is Chichibu-Tama-Kai Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Vang Vieng or Chichibu-Tama-Kai?

Chichibu-Tama-Kai has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Vang Vieng experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Chichibu-Tama-Kai in the Summer?

Both Chichibu-Tama-Kai and Vang Vieng are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vang Vieng throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Chichibu-Tama-Kai for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Vang Vieng is cooler than Chichibu-Tama-Kai. Typically, the summer temperatures in Vang Vieng in July average around 22°C (72°F), and Chichibu-Tama-Kai averages at about 25°C (78°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Chichibu-Tama-Kai. In July, Vang Vieng usually receives less rain than Chichibu-Tama-Kai. Vang Vieng gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Chichibu-Tama-Kai receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Chichibu-Tama-Kai in the Autumn?

Both Chichibu-Tama-Kai and Vang Vieng during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Vang Vieng because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Chichibu-Tama-Kai because of the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Vang Vieng is generally a little warmer than Chichibu-Tama-Kai. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 23°C (73°F), and Chichibu-Tama-Kai fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

Chichibu-Tama-Kai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Vang Vieng usually gets less rain in October than Chichibu-Tama-Kai. Vang Vieng gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Chichibu-Tama-Kai receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Chichibu-Tama-Kai in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Vang Vieng and Chichibu-Tama-Kai. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vang Vieng year-round. Furthermore, the museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Chichibu-Tama-Kai this time of year.

It's quite cold in Chichibu-Tama-Kai in the winter. Vang Vieng is much warmer than Chichibu-Tama-Kai in the winter. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 24°C (75°F) in January, and Chichibu-Tama-Kai fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In January, Vang Vieng usually receives more rain than Chichibu-Tama-Kai. Vang Vieng gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Chichibu-Tama-Kai receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Chichibu-Tama-Kai in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Vang Vieng as well as Chichibu-Tama-Kai. Vang Vieng attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Chichibu-Tama-Kai for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Vang Vieng is much warmer than Chichibu-Tama-Kai. Typically, the spring temperatures in Vang Vieng in April average around 23°C (73°F), and Chichibu-Tama-Kai averages at about 13°C (56°F).

Vang Vieng receives a lot of rain in the spring. Vang Vieng usually gets more rain in April than Chichibu-Tama-Kai. Vang Vieng gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Chichibu-Tama-Kai receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Chichibu-Tama-Kai and Vang Vieng