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

Should you visit Zhengzhou or Yaeyama Islands?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Zhengzhou and Yaeyama Islands can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Zhengzhou or Yaeyama Islands?

Zhengzhou

Along the Yellow River, a city from the future and the past resides. Ancient pagodas, futuristic domes, verdant gardens - Zhengzhou is a myriad of many worlds in one urban area. The provincial capital of the Henan Province, Zhengzhou is the encapsulation of a perfect city from its delicate balance of the natural and urban spheres. It was born during the Sui Dynasty, and its actual location was in the modern-day Chenggao. Moreover, Zhengzhou works as the political, economic, technological, and educational center of the province. The city is also one of the eight great ancient capitals of China, with a collection of architecture and art originating during iconic dynasties. These relics of the old world include the Shaolin Monastery, Henan Museum, the Pagoda Forest, the Gaocheng Astronomical Observatory, the Songyue Pagoda, the Emperors of Yan and Huang, and the scenic views of the Yellow River. With over nine million inhabitants, Zhengzhou continues to grow at a thriving rate. It also should be noted that in June 2012, Greater Zhengzhou was named one of the thirteen emerging megacities in China according to the Economist Intelligent Unit. Known internationally for its amazing culmination of culture and history, Zhengzhou is the ideal city for travelers and inhabitants alike.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Shanghai, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo.

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

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

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

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 Zhengzhou or Yaeyama Islands in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Zhengzhou and Yaeyama Islands. Furthermore, most visitors come to Yaeyama Islands for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Zhengzhou is around the same temperature as Yaeyama Islands in the summer. The daily temperature in Zhengzhou averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and Yaeyama Islands fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Yaeyama Islands this time of the year. In Zhengzhou, it's very sunny this time of the year. Zhengzhou usually receives less sunshine than Yaeyama Islands during summer. Zhengzhou gets 215 hours of sunny skies, while Yaeyama Islands receives 279 hours of full sun in the summer.

Yaeyama Islands receives a lot of rain in the summer. Zhengzhou gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Zhengzhou usually receives less rain than Yaeyama Islands. Zhengzhou gets 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Yaeyama Islands receives 179 mm (7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Zhengzhou or Yaeyama Islands in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Zhengzhou as well as Yaeyama Islands. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Yaeyama Islands because of the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Zhengzhou is much colder than Yaeyama Islands. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Zhengzhou in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Yaeyama Islands averages at about 26°C (78°F).

In the autumn, Zhengzhou often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Yaeyama Islands. Zhengzhou gets 188 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Yaeyama Islands receives 177 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Yaeyama Islands. Zhengzhou usually gets less rain in October than Yaeyama Islands. Zhengzhou gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Yaeyama Islands receives 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Zhengzhou or Yaeyama Islands in the Winter?

Both Yaeyama Islands and Zhengzhou are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Yaeyama Islands this time of year.

The weather in Zhengzhou can be very cold. In January, Zhengzhou is generally much colder than Yaeyama Islands. Daily temperatures in Zhengzhou average around 1°C (34°F), and Yaeyama Islands fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

Zhengzhou usually receives more sunshine than Yaeyama Islands during winter. Zhengzhou gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Yaeyama Islands receives 97 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Yaeyama Islands. In January, Zhengzhou usually receives less rain than Yaeyama Islands. Zhengzhou gets 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Yaeyama Islands receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Zhengzhou or Yaeyama Islands in the Spring?

Both Yaeyama Islands and Zhengzhou during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Yaeyama Islands for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Zhengzhou is cooler than Yaeyama Islands in the spring. The daily temperature in Zhengzhou averages around 16°C (61°F) in April, and Yaeyama Islands fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

It's quite sunny in Zhengzhou. In the spring, Zhengzhou often gets more sunshine than Yaeyama Islands. Zhengzhou gets 201 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Yaeyama Islands receives 154 hours of full sun.

Yaeyama Islands gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Zhengzhou usually gets less rain in April than Yaeyama Islands. Zhengzhou gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Yaeyama Islands receives 147 mm (5.8 in) of rain this time of the year. May to June is the rainy season in Yaeyama Islands.

Typical Weather for Yaeyama Islands and Zhengzhou