A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Qingdao vs. Dewa Sanzan for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Qingdao or Dewa Sanzan?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Qingdao or Dewa Sanzan, 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: Qingdao or Dewa Sanzan?

Qingdao

Qingdao, China, located in the Shandong Province, is a very large city right on the Yellow Sea coast. The city, whose name means "The Green Island" due to it's gorgeous landscapes and interesting geography, was named China's most livable city in 2012. The city is rich in history, having almost become a German territory in 1897 and being occupied by the Japanese during WWI. Evidence of these occupiers is present in much of the architecture around the city, which includes a few Catholic and Protestant churches.

Dewa Sanzan

Dewa Sanzan, Japan is a picturesque city in the Tohoku region which consists solely of the three sacred mountains: Mount Haguro, Mount Gassan, and Mount Yudono. The mountains are considered holy to the Japanese Shinto religion and are a popular pilgrimage site, especially since many ascetic pilgrims live in the mountains and are occasionally spotted throughout the various hiking trails.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in China, The Best Luxury Tours to China, The Best Contiki Tours to Japan, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan.


Which place is cheaper, Dewa Sanzan or Qingdao?

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

  • Qingdao Prices
    China Prices
    Dewa Sanzan Prices
    Japan Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Qingdao $73
    Dewa Sanzan $86

The average daily cost (per person) in Qingdao is $73, while the average daily cost in Dewa Sanzan is $86. 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 Qingdao and Dewa Sanzan in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Qingdao $27
    Dewa Sanzan $29
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Qingdao $54
    Dewa Sanzan $58
Compare Hotels in Qingdao and Dewa Sanzan

Looking for a hotel in Qingdao or Dewa Sanzan? 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 Qingdao


Hotels in Dewa Sanzan


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: Dewa Sanzan Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Qingdao $12
    Dewa Sanzan $23

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Qingdao

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

  • Qingdao Railway Station Depature Transfer from City Hotels: $36
  • Qingdao Railway Station Arrival Transfer to City Hotel: $36
  • Qingdao Private Transfer from Qingdao central to Qingdao Airport (TAO): $53
  • Qingdao Private Transfer from Qingdao Airport (TAO) to central Qingdao: $54
  • Qingdao Northern Railway Station Arrival Private One-Way Transfer: $42
  • Qingdao Liuting Airport Transfer Service by Minivan: $86
  • Qingdao Cruise Port Departure Transfer from City Hotels: $36
  • Private Qingdao Airport Arrival Transfer to City Hotels: $80

Is it cheaper to fly into Qingdao or Dewa Sanzan?

Prices for flights to both Dewa Sanzan and Qingdao 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
    Qingdao $35
    Dewa Sanzan $43

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Qingdao $20
    Dewa Sanzan $9.56

Tours and Activities in Qingdao

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

  • Private Qingdao Essentials Tour: City Highlights and Beer Museum: $216
  • Alternative City Tour with Navy Museum, Beer Street and TV Tower, Lunch Included: $200
  • German Era Tour of Old Town Qingdao with Lunch and Beer Museum: $200
  • Half Day Tour and Trek to Fushan Mountain: $170
  • Laoshan Mountain Full Day Private Activity Tour: $224
  • Private Qingdao Historic architectural day tour with Tsingdao beer during Lunch: $245
  • Private Qingdao Laoshan day tour with lunch& round way cable car: $240
  • Private Qingdao Laoshan half day tour with one bottle of Tsingdao beer as gift: $199
  • Private Qingdao highlights city tour with Lunch and Qingdao beer: $175
  • Qingdao After Dark: 4-Hour Illumination Tour with Options: $150
  • Qingdao Discover Tour to the Mount Laoshan and Tasting Famous Local Beer: $248
  • Qingdao Private Day Tour to Laoshan Mountain with Lunch and Cable Car: $238

Tours and Activities in Dewa Sanzan

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

  • Mount Haguro E-Bike Sightseeing Tour in Yamagata, Japan: $202
  • Tsuruoka & Dewa-Sanzan Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide: $249

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Qingdao $14
    Dewa Sanzan $7.53


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

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



When is the best time to visit Qingdao or Dewa Sanzan?

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 Qingdao or Dewa Sanzan in the Summer?

Both Dewa Sanzan and Qingdao are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Dewa Sanzan because of the hiking.

In July, Qingdao is generally around the same temperature as Dewa Sanzan. Daily temperatures in Qingdao average around 25°C (77°F), and Dewa Sanzan fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

Qingdao usually receives more sunshine than Dewa Sanzan during summer. Qingdao gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Dewa Sanzan receives 124 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Dewa Sanzan. It's quite rainy in Qingdao. In July, Qingdao usually receives more rain than Dewa Sanzan. Qingdao gets 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 191 mm (7.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Qingdao 25°C (77°F) 
    Dewa Sanzan 23°C (74°F)

Should I visit Qingdao or Dewa Sanzan in the Autumn?

Both Dewa Sanzan and Qingdao during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the hiking trails are the main draw to Dewa Sanzan this time of year.

Qingdao is a little warmer than Dewa Sanzan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Qingdao averages around 17°C (62°F) in October, and Dewa Sanzan fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

It's quite sunny in Qingdao. In the autumn, Qingdao often gets more sunshine than Dewa Sanzan. Qingdao gets 220 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dewa Sanzan receives 149 hours of full sun.

Dewa Sanzan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Qingdao usually gets less rain in October than Dewa Sanzan. Qingdao gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Qingdao 17°C (62°F) 
    Dewa Sanzan 13°C (56°F)

Should I visit Qingdao or Dewa Sanzan in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Qingdao and Dewa Sanzan. Furthermore, many travelers come to Dewa Sanzan for the museums and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Dewa Sanzan. It's quite cold in Qingdao in the winter. In the winter, Qingdao is much warmer than Dewa Sanzan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Qingdao in January average around -0°C (32°F), and Dewa Sanzan averages at about -1°C (30°F).

Qingdao usually receives more sunshine than Dewa Sanzan during winter. Qingdao gets 185 hours of sunny skies, while Dewa Sanzan receives 149 hours of full sun in the winter.

Dewa Sanzan receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Qingdao usually receives less rain than Dewa Sanzan. Qingdao gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Qingdao -0°C (32°F) 
    Dewa Sanzan -1°C (30°F)

Should I visit Qingdao or Dewa Sanzan in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Qingdao as well as Dewa Sanzan.

In April, Qingdao is generally a little warmer than Dewa Sanzan. Daily temperatures in Qingdao average around 12°C (53°F), and Dewa Sanzan fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Qingdao this time of the year. In the spring, Qingdao often gets more sunshine than Dewa Sanzan. Qingdao gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dewa Sanzan receives 188 hours of full sun.

Qingdao usually gets less rain in April than Dewa Sanzan. Qingdao gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Qingdao 12°C (53°F) 
    Dewa Sanzan 9°C (47°F)

Typical Weather for Dewa Sanzan and Qingdao

Qingdao Dewa Sanzan
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -0°C (32°F) 11 mm (0.4 in) -1°C (30°F) 206 mm (8.1 in)
Feb 1°C (34°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) -1°C (30°F) 151 mm (6 in)
Mar 6°C (43°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 2°C (35°F) 116 mm (4.6 in)
Apr 12°C (53°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 9°C (47°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
May 17°C (62°F) 51 mm (2 in) 15°C (59°F) 96 mm (3.8 in)
Jun 21°C (70°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 20°C (67°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Jul 25°C (77°F) 211 mm (8.3 in) 23°C (74°F) 191 mm (7.5 in)
Aug 26°C (79°F) 162 mm (6.4 in) 25°C (77°F) 174 mm (6.8 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 99 mm (3.9 in) 20°C (68°F) 154 mm (6.1 in)
Oct 17°C (62°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 13°C (56°F) 152 mm (6 in)
Nov 10°C (49°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 7°C (44°F) 207 mm (8.1 in)
Dec 3°C (37°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 2°C (35°F) 231 mm (9.1 in)