A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Wuyuan vs. Matsue for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Wuyuan or Matsue?

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 Wuyuan and Matsue can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Wuyuan or Matsue?

Wuyuan

Wuyuan, China is a small city in the Jiangxi Province in the south central area of the country. The city acts as a transport hub for the province, with many main bus routes running through it. Wuyuan also acts as the main thoroughfare when traveling to local remote villages in the area. It is best to know some Mandarin as this region does not see many non-Mandarin speaking tourists, which also means you should expect some very friendly attention!

Matsue

Matsue, Japan is located on the scenic shores of Lake Shinji in the Shimane Prefecture. Matsue is the capital city of the prefecture and is known as the water city due to being located between Lake Shinji, Lake Nakaumi, and the Sea of Japan. This historically rich city is famous for being a laid back samurai village with stunning sunsets and traditional confectioneries.

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 Contiki Tours to Japan, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Wuyuan or Matsue?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Wuyuan or Matsue in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Wuyuan as well as Matsue. Additionally, many visitors come to Matsue in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

Wuyuan is a little warmer than Matsue in the summer. The daily temperature in Wuyuan averages around 30°C (85°F) in July, and Matsue fluctuates around 25°C (78°F).

It's quite rainy in Matsue. Wuyuan receives a lot of rain in the summer. Wuyuan usually gets less rain in July than Matsue. Wuyuan gets 192 mm (7.6 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 268 mm (10.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Wuyuan or Matsue in the Autumn?

Both Matsue and Wuyuan are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Matsue for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Wuyuan is a little warmer than Matsue. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Wuyuan in October average around 20°C (68°F), and Matsue averages at about 17°C (62°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Matsue. In October, Wuyuan usually receives less rain than Matsue. Wuyuan gets 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Wuyuan or Matsue in the Winter?

Both Matsue and Wuyuan during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Matsue because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Matsue can be very cold. In January, Wuyuan is generally much warmer than Matsue. Daily temperatures in Wuyuan average around 6°C (43°F), and Matsue fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

Matsue gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Wuyuan usually gets less rain in January than Matsue. Wuyuan gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Wuyuan or Matsue in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Wuyuan and Matsue. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Matsue this time of year.

Wuyuan is a little warmer than Matsue in the spring. The daily temperature in Wuyuan averages around 18°C (64°F) in April, and Matsue fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Matsue receives a lot of rain in the spring. Wuyuan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Wuyuan usually receives more rain than Matsue. Wuyuan gets 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Matsue and Wuyuan