Despite a complex past, China and Japan share a deep love for traditional cuisine, tea culture, and artistic expression, from calligraphy and painting to anime and manga. Tourists flock to both countries for their rich cultural heritage, scenic beauty, and cutting-edge technology. But with so much to offer, which East Asian nation should you visit first? Check out our China vs Japan guide explores their unique differences to help you decide.

Geographically, China and Japan are located in East Asia and boast varied climates and landscapes. Mountainous terrain, dense forests, and extensive coastlines are some of the characteristics they have in common.

Japan: Japan is a paradise on earth for nature lovers. The country allows nature and urbanization to coexist in harmony. Air quality and nature are compromised, even in bustling cities like Kyoto, Tokyo, and Osaka. Japan’s most prominent herbal attractions include Mount Fuji, the Japanese Alps, the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, the Ryugu Sea Cave, the Nachi Waterfall, the Kusatsu Herbal Hot Springs, and the pristine sandy beaches of Okinawa.

Explore more scenic trails and breathtaking perspectives with our Japan Top Spots Advisor.

China: If you watched James Cameron’s Avatar, the landscape of Pandora’s Floating Mountains resembles that of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. Lush greenery, tall sandstone pillars, and a misty atmosphere give this position a surreal look in the early morning and before sunset.

The Yellow Mountains (Huangshan) in China are also worth visiting. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, those granite peaks, on which crooked pine trees grow, look unreal and impressive. The Li River is a tourist destination to appreciate karst landscapes and mysterious caves. and green mountains. China also has other herbal wonders such as West Lake, Turpan Depression, Sanya Island, and Jiuzhaigou Valley National Park.

Explore majestic mountains, serene gardens and bustling cities with our guide to the most charming places in China.

The best time to travel to either country depends on your personal climate tastes and activity interests.

Japan: Peak tourist seasons in Japan are spring and fall. The cherry trees will fully bloom between March and April. Although the blooming time is uncertain, it is wise to plan the direction based on the Sakura forecast.

Autumn is another season when tourists love Japan. The weather is delightful and it’s the most productive time to enjoy the fall foliage. Some of the most productive destinations for Japan in autumn are Yamanashi, Kyoto, Hokkaido, Nara Park, Rikugien Gardens, Mount Nasu, Hitachi Coastal Nature Park, Mount Gozaisho, and Nikko.

China: China is a vast country, and the climate differs in each region. Spring and autumn are popular seasons among tourists visiting China. The weather is pleasant from late February to May, and flowers like peonies, azaleas, apricot blossoms, tulips, irises, and Yuantouzhu cherry blossoms reach full bloom.

Clear blue skies and cool temperatures make autumn a wonderful time for China. Many areas revel in fall foliage, making it one of the most productive times to hike or tour the Great Wall, Everest Base Camp, Yellow Mountains, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, and Fields in Longji Terraces.

The length of your stay, your activity itinerary, your accommodation preferences, your potential dining options, and your lifestyle all play a huge role in determining your bills and expenses. Japan versus China, budget-wise, is where most of your spending will likely go.

Japan: Accommodation in Japan is more expensive than in China. Tourists often cut costs by staying in hostels, capsule hotels and regular business hotels. Depending on one’s food preferences, Japan caters to both palettes – the spenders and the savvy spenders. While Japan’s transportation is convenient and efficient, bullet train passes, car-renting services and taxis are more expensive than in China.

China: Hotel costs depend on the city and the quality of the hotel. Expect to spend more on accommodation in pricier Chinese cities like Beijing, Suzhou, and Shanghai. Compared to Japan, food is a bit more affordable in China. Again, it depends on where you eat. Local street vendors and family-owned restaurants will offer affordable meals. To save money, locals dine at circular tables, order multiple dishes, and share food. Much of your spending will go toward sightseeing, souvenir shopping, cultural experiences, and attraction tickets.

China vs Japan: Which Country Has the Most Beautiful Places with Tourist Attractions?Explore!

Japan: You plan your Japan itinerary based on your activity and seasonal preferences. Lovers of water sports and light blue beaches plan Okinawa, Ishigaki Island, Sado Island and the Izu Peninsula. Travel to Hokkaido, Niigata Prefecture, Nagano Prefecture, and the Tohoku region for winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding. New destinations calling in Japan may need to stop in cities like Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka before exploring specific spaces in the country.

China: If it is your first time in China, we recommend visiting the Great Wall of China. It’s an iconic global landmark, and tourists come here to marvel at its architecture and learn about its historical significance. Also, visit Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum to see terracotta army clay sculptures. One of China’s premium tourist destinations in Beijing is the Forbidden City. This was an imperial palace complex that remained a walled city for centuries. It’s an architectural wonder and a must-visit place for history lovers.

Be sure to include those places in your Japan and China itinerary!

Japan: There are many things to do in Japan, such as staying in a classic Japanese inn (Ryokan), learning about Japanese pottery, participating in a tea ceremony, attending a sumo tournament, Mount Fuji, exploring temples and shrines, and enjoying of a complete experience. Full-fledged photo session done dressed in a kimono. Each prefecture in Japan offers workshops to learn about its rich traditions and culture.

There are more than a hundred events and festivals a year in Japan. However, the most popular are the Gion Matsuri in Kyoto in July, the Tenjin Matsuri in Osaka in July and the Kanda Matsuri in Tokyo in May.

China: Apart from visiting China’s historical sites like the Great Wall, Forbidden City and the Terracotta Army Museum, you can also engage in traditional activities like Chinese calligraphy, tea ceremonies, Chinese knotting and Tai Chi.

China is also the place to learn how to cook original Chinese dishes! Many workshops in Shanghai and Beijing will offer categories for making dim sum, spring rolls and soup dumplings. Another must-see activity in China is to visit and see the Pandas. You can learn about pandas and see them up close at the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base. Chinese festivals such as the Lantern Festival in February, the Hungry Ghost Festival in August, the Chinese New Year (which varies from year to year) and the Mid-Autumn Festival in September will offer tourists a glimpse of what it looks like. Chinese classic.

Here’s our guide to the best things to do in Beijing to explore the city’s heart and soul.

China vs Japan, which country offers the most productive food shopping experience?Both! Here’s what to keep in mind during your visit.

Japan: Almost each and every city in Japan has retail outlets where you can buy everything from Japanese makeup to fashion clothes under one roof. Hundred yen outlets such as Daiso, Seria, and Can Do are chains for purchasing practical family items and miscellaneous products. For Japanese souvenirs like tea, cute stationery, chocolates, bento boxes and attractive products, shop at Loft, Don Quichotte, Itoya and Hands.

Japan also has dedicated shopping districts like Ginza, Shibuya, Harajuku, Kappabashi Street, Akihabara, Nakano Broadway and Koenji in Tokyo, Dotonburi, Namba and Shinsaibashi in Osaka and Kawaramachi Street and Nishiki Market Shopping District in Kyoto.

China: From classic handicrafts to teas, grocery shopping will be a fun experience in China. Wangfujing Street and Panjiayuan Antique Market in Beijing, Nanjing Street and Yu Garden Bazaar in Shanghai, and Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street and Quingping Market in Guangzhou are among the most sensible grocery shopping destinations in China.

Some souvenirs from China to take home are silk products, tea, porcelain tableware, silk fashion items, jade jewelry and Chinese paintings.

The hotel you stay at can contribute to the quality of your vacation. The ones mentioned below offer excellent hospitality, clean and elegant rooms, and additional amenities. In a nutshell, they are the definition of luxury!

Japan: With so many hotel options, choosing the best is not easy. For now, we’ll focus on hotel options in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. To experience luxury first-hand, consider staying at the Tokyo Prince Hotel, the Four Seasons Hotel at Marunouchi, or the Hoshinoya in Tokyo. When in Kyoto, we heard The Screen Kyoto, Tawaraya Ryokan and the Ritz-Carlton Hotel are fine options. For Osaka, do not miss the opportunity to stay at the Conrad, Hotel Trinity and Centara Grand Hotel.

China: Shanghai and Beijing are two of the most popular Chinese cities and attract the most tourists. If you’ve booked your Beijing tickets, stay at Aman Summer Palace, Waldorf Astoria, Sandalwood, and Rosewood Beijing. For Shanghai, nothing beats a stay at The Ritz-Carlton, The Peninsula, and Amanyangyun.

China vs Japan, which country has more food?Although they may differ in cooking techniques, ingredient selection, and flavors, both countries offer tourists culinary experiences.

Japan: Japan is one of the few countries with more than five hundred Michelin-starred restaurants. In addition to Japanese cuisine, you can also find top-quality dishes from all over the world here! In the land of the rising sun, do not hesitate to taste the country’s emblematic dishes such as sushi, ramen, tempura, okonomiyaki, yakitori, sashimi and curry rice. We also suggest dining at Izakayas since they serve exclusive and unconventional dishes.

China: Chinese cuisine is full of flavors, textures and just the right amount of spices. There are thousands of family restaurants, street vendors, luxury restaurants and local markets in China where you can delight your taste buds. We set out to order Peking Duck, Chinese Hot Pot, Xiao Long Bao, Zhajiangmian Noodles, Kung Pao Chicken and Mapo Tofu.

(Featured symbol credit: zhu difeng/Shutterstock)

This story first appeared here.

Yes, I am satisfied with the privacy policy

Thank you for your subscription.

Thank you for your subscription.