A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hefei vs. Koyasan for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Hefei or Koyasan?

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

Should I visit Hefei or Koyasan? 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: Hefei or Koyasan?

Hefei

While most would consider the city of Hefei a pass-through destination, there are plenty of things to see in the capital city of China's Anhui province.

Koyasan

Mount Koya, Japan is a mountain city located just south of Osaka in the Wakayama prefecture. The area is known as the headquarters of the Shingnon sect of Japanese Buddhism and was first settled in 816. Over time, it has developed into the small town of Koya that is now home to a religious studies university and over 100 temples, many of which offer accommodation.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to China, The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Japan, and The Best Historical Tours in Japan.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Hefei or Koyasan?

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 Hefei or Koyasan in the Summer?

Both Koyasan and Hefei are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Koyasan because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Hefei is around the same temperature as Koyasan in the summer. The daily temperature in Hefei averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Koyasan fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Koyasan. It's quite rainy in Hefei. In July, Hefei usually receives more rain than Koyasan. Hefei gets 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Hefei or Koyasan in the Autumn?

Both Koyasan and Hefei during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Koyasan this time of year.

In the autumn, Hefei is around the same temperature as Koyasan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hefei in October average around 18°C (64°F), and Koyasan averages at about 19°C (65°F).

Koyasan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Hefei usually gets less rain in October than Koyasan. Hefei gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hefei or Koyasan in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Hefei and Koyasan. Furthermore, many travelers come to Koyasan for the museums and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Hefei in the winter. In January, Hefei is generally much colder than Koyasan. Daily temperatures in Hefei average around 3°C (38°F), and Koyasan fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

In January, Hefei usually receives less rain than Koyasan. Hefei gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Hefei or Koyasan in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Hefei as well as Koyasan. Additionally, many visitors come to Koyasan in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Hefei is around the same temperature as Koyasan in the spring. The daily temperature in Hefei averages around 16°C (61°F) in April, and Koyasan fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

It's quite rainy in Koyasan. Hefei usually gets less rain in April than Koyasan. Hefei gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Koyasan and Hefei