A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Yichang vs. Nara for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Yichang or Nara?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Yichang or Nara, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Yichang or Nara?

Yichang

Yichang, China is an ancient city situated on the northern bank of the Yangtze River in central China. The city is located just below the famed Three Gorges Dam and is a popular ending point for many Yangtze River cruises. Yichang offers beautiful natural scenery and ancient relics from the Three Kingdom Period.

Yichang experiences cool, rainy, winters and hot, humid, summers. Temperatures tend to stay in the 40's Fahrenheit during winter and the 80's in the summer. Spring, Summer, and Autumn are fantastic times to visit, although if you prefer to beat the heat, stay away during late summer!

Nara

As Japan's first capital, Nara offers a world of tradition and culture second only to the city of Kyoto. It is home to eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which are largely concentrated in the area of Nara Park. Here, it is also common to see many deer wandering freely amongst the temples and shrines.

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


Which place is cheaper, Nara or Yichang?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Yichang is $74, while the average daily cost in Nara is $111. 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 Yichang and Nara in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Yichang $25
    Nara $54
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Yichang $50
    Nara $108
Compare Hotels in Yichang and Nara

Looking for a hotel in Yichang or Nara? 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 Yichang


Hotels in Nara


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: Nara Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Yichang $14
    Nara $6.04

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yichang

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Yichang:

  • Yichang Airport Transfer Service, Yichang train station Pick up: $20
  • Private transfer from Yichang to Zhangjiajie: $290

Is it cheaper to fly into Yichang or Nara?

Prices for flights to both Nara and Yichang 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
    Yichang $38
    Nara $51

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nara

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nara.

  • Handmade Soba and Tempura Cooking Class in Nara: $49
  • Udon and Tempura Cooking Class in Nara: $52
  • Nara Personalized Half Day Food Tour with a Local Guide: $160
  • Taste of Nara A Guided Half Day Food Tour Tailored to Your Taste: $160
  • Full Day Nara E bike Tour and Osaka History Food Tour: $200

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Yichang $18
    Nara $8.09

Tours and Activities in Yichang

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

  • Yichang Tourist Center to Yichang Sanxia Airport (YIH): $53
  • Private Day Tour in Yichang to Sanyou Cave and Sanxia Waterfall : $239
  • From 5-Day Yangtze River Cruise to Chongqing: $679
  • Yichang - Chongqing Yangtze Miracle Luxury 5D4N Cruise: $720
  • From Yichang to Chongqing: 5-Day Cruise with Meals: $993

Tours and Activities in Nara

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

  • Gripped Sumi Ink Experience at a Historic Workshop in Nara: $23
  • Naramachi walking tour with Local: $31
  • Nara Highlight Walking Tour with Furoshiki Experience with Lunch: $35
  • All must-sees in 3 hours - Nara Park Classic Tour! From JR Nara!: $45
  • Perfect Nara Park Half-Day Bus Tour with English Speaking Guide: $69
  • Uji Tea Ceremony and UNESCO Heritage Walking Tour: $70
  • Kyoto: Tea Museum and Tsuen Teahouse Guided Tour: $74
  • Nara - Highlights Bike Tour: $76
  • Nara Early Morning Tour (Kyoto or Osaka Departure Available): $79
  • First Time Nara Tour UNESCO Sites with Lunch and Deer Feed: $83
  • Nara Todaiji Lazy Bird Walking Tour: $92
  • Nara World Heritage PRIVATE TOUR: $102

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Yichang $14
    Nara $12


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

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


Which is Bigger, Yichang or Nara?

Yichang has a larger population, and is about 30% larger than the population of Nara. When comparing the sizes of Yichang and Nara, 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 Yichang or Nara?

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 Yichang or Nara in the Summer?

Both Nara and Yichang are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Nara for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Yichang is around the same temperature as Nara. Typically, the summer temperatures in Yichang in July average around 29°C (85°F), and Nara averages at about 27°C (80°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Yichang. Yichang usually receives more sunshine than Nara during summer. Yichang gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Nara receives 183 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nara. It's quite rainy in Yichang. In July, Yichang usually receives more rain than Nara. Yichang gets 229 mm (9 in) of rain, while Nara receives 186 mm (7.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Yichang 29°C (85°F) 
    Nara 27°C (80°F)

Should I visit Yichang or Nara in the Autumn?

Both Nara and Yichang during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Nara because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Yichang is generally a little warmer than Nara. Daily temperatures in Yichang average around 20°C (67°F), and Nara fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In the autumn, Yichang often gets less sunshine than Nara. Yichang gets 134 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nara receives 159 hours of full sun.

Nara gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Yichang usually gets less rain in October than Nara. Yichang gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Nara receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Yichang 20°C (67°F) 
    Nara 17°C (63°F)

Should I visit Yichang or Nara in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Yichang and Nara. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Nara this time of year.

It's quite cold in Nara in the winter. Yichang is a little warmer than Nara in the winter. The daily temperature in Yichang averages around 6°C (43°F) in January, and Nara fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

Yichang usually receives less sunshine than Nara during winter. Yichang gets 92 hours of sunny skies, while Nara receives 140 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Yichang usually receives less rain than Nara. Yichang gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Nara receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Yichang 6°C (43°F) 
    Nara 4°C (40°F)

Should I visit Yichang or Nara in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Yichang as well as Nara. Also, many travelers come to Nara for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Yichang is a little warmer than Nara. Typically, the spring temperatures in Yichang in April average around 18°C (65°F), and Nara averages at about 14°C (57°F).

In the spring, Yichang often gets less sunshine than Nara. Yichang gets 129 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nara receives 176 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Nara. Yichang usually gets less rain in April than Nara. Yichang gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Nara receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Yichang 18°C (65°F) 
    Nara 14°C (57°F)

Typical Weather for Nara and Yichang

Yichang Nara
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 6°C (43°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 4°C (40°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Feb 8°C (46°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 5°C (40°F) 60 mm (2.3 in)
Mar 12°C (54°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 8°C (46°F) 99 mm (3.9 in)
Apr 18°C (65°F) 95 mm (3.7 in) 14°C (57°F) 127 mm (5 in)
May 23°C (73°F) 124 mm (4.9 in) 19°C (65°F) 128 mm (5.1 in)
Jun 27°C (80°F) 151 mm (5.9 in) 23°C (73°F) 214 mm (8.4 in)
Jul 29°C (85°F) 229 mm (9 in) 27°C (80°F) 186 mm (7.3 in)
Aug 29°C (85°F) 197 mm (7.8 in) 28°C (82°F) 117 mm (4.6 in)
Sep 25°C (76°F) 122 mm (4.8 in) 24°C (74°F) 154 mm (6.1 in)
Oct 20°C (67°F) 87 mm (3.4 in) 17°C (63°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Nov 14°C (57°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 12°C (53°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Dec 8°C (47°F) 22 mm (0.9 in) 7°C (44°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)