East Asian City Break Index
Pack your luggage and get ready to explore the best East Asian cities! The travel and luggage experts at Bounce have created their latest city break index to reveal the top destinations where you can enjoy rich cultural experiences, stunning attractions, and delicious cuisine.
Bounce has also found the most affordable places to visit if you want to experience the beautiful cities throughout East Asia without straining your budget.
Choose Kobe as your next destination, officially the best East Asian city to visit
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1. Kobe, Japan | 7.70 out of 10
Kobe, a city between the sea on Osaka Bay and the Rokko mountain range, offers a mix of cultural attractions, lively bars, and culinary delights. With almost 82 attractions per 100,000 people, you can explore a range of experiences, from historical landmarks to modern entertainment.
Head to Kobe's Sannomiya district for a bustling hub of shops, restaurants, and nightlife options. For a more leisurely day, go to Meriken Park. This park offers stunning waterfront views and a picturesque setting for strolls — one review on Tripadvisor says it is “best visited at night with a modern changing light display.”
The city’s most famous dish is Kobe beef, and where better to try it than where it originated? The delicacy is available in many of the city's 654 restaurants per 100,000 people.
2. Kyoto, Japan | 7.63 out of 10
Kyoto makes the second appearance on the list for Japan, with a score of 7.63 out of 10. Kyoto’s culinary scene is the best of the top 10, with more than 685 restaurants per 100,000 people. These restaurants offer traditional Japanese cuisine, from kaiseki multi-course dining to casual ramen shops.
The city also has numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the famous Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) and Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion), for those who want to see beautiful Japanese architecture.
If you’re looking to explore outdoor attractions like these in Kyoto, you’ll be pleased to hear that its average annual rainfall is 66 inches, one of the lowest figures out of the top 10.
3. Pingtung, Taiwan | 7.37 out of 10
Pingtung is located in southern Taiwan, an area celebrated for its natural beauty. The city has almost 128 attractions per 100,000 people, many allowing you to explore its lush landscapes and heritage. Kenting National Park is a major draw for outdoor lovers — one reviewer even said the park has “one of the best sunset scenery in the world.”
Pingtung's night markets, such as the Donggang Night Market, are perfect for experiencing local flavors and street food. You can also sample the culinary offerings at one of the city's 249 restaurants per 100,000 people.
Although Pingtung has the highest average rainfall out of the top 10, it also has the highest average annual temperature at 74.3°F to balance it out.
On a budget? These are the most affordable East Asian cities
1. Hefei, China | 9.46 out of 10
Hefei, the capital of Anhui Province in China, tops the list as the most affordable East Asian location for a city break. With an average hotel cost of just $72 (£56, €66) per night, you can enjoy comfortable accommodations without breaking the bank.
Hefei is also economical for local transportation, with an average one-way train ticket costing only $0.41 (£0.32, €0.38) and taxi rides averaging $0.28 (£0.21, €0.25) per kilometer, making it both easy and cheap to see all the city has to offer.
Dining while you’re exploring Hefei is equally affordable. An average meal costs $2.76 (£2.15, €2.54), and a pint of beer costs $0.83 (£0.64, €0.76).
2. Chengdu, China | 9.27 out of 10
Chengdu ranks second with a score of 9.27. If you’re interested in both spicy food and giant pandas, this is the destination for you. The average hotel cost in Chengdu is $84 (£65, €77) per night, slightly higher than in Hefei but still very reasonable.
Transportation costs are also low, with an average one-way train ticket priced at $0.41 (£0.32, €0.38) and taxi fares at $0.28 (£0.21, €0.25) per kilometer. Chengdu has a slightly higher cost for a pint of beer at $1.10 (£0.86, €1.02), and an average meal cost of $2.76 (£2.14, €2.54). However, it is still an excellent choice for food enthusiasts who want to indulge in authentic Sichuan dishes like hotpot and mapo tofu.
3. Changchun, China | 9.22 out of 10
Changchun is the third most affordable East Asian city for a vacation, scoring 9.22 out of 10. The city has the lowest average hotel cost among the top three, at $58 (£45, €53) per night.
The cost of a pint of beer is similar to Chengdu at $1.10 (£0.86, €1.02), and meals are budget-friendly at $2.76 (£2.15, €2.54) on average. Changchun also offers inexpensive transportation options, with a one-way train ticket costing $0.55 (£0.43, €0.51) and taxi rides standing at $0.28 (£0.21, €0.25) per kilometer.
The most affordable places in East Asia for …
Average hotel price
Shizuoka, Japan | $39/£30/€36
Shizuoka, Japan, is the most affordable East Asian city in terms of average hotel price, with accommodations costing just $39 (£30, €36) per night on the weekend.
However, this affordability does not come at the expense of quality or attractions. Shizuoka is known for its stunning natural landscapes, including breathtaking views of Mount Fuji, Japan's highest and most iconic peak. You can enjoy many outdoor activities, such as hiking in the nearby Japanese Alps or relaxing in hot springs around the city.
Average one-way train ticket price
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia | $0.10/£0.08/€0.09
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia's capital, offers the cheapest one-way train tickets in East Asia at just $0.10 (£0.08, €0.09). This makes exploring the city and its surrounding areas incredibly easy and affordable. If you want attraction recommendations, try historical sites such as the Gandantegchinlen Monastery and the National Museum of Mongolia.
For nature enthusiasts, a short train ride can lead to the Gorkhi Terelj National Park, known for its stunning views, rock formations, and the iconic Genghis Khan Equestrian Statue.
Average taxi price
Hefei, China | $0.28/£0.21/€0.25
Hefei, China, has the most affordable taxi fares in East Asia, with an average cost of just $0.28 (£0.21, €0.25) per kilometer. This makes getting around the city both convenient and cost-effective.
Key attractions include the Memorial Temple of Lord Bao, dedicated to a revered Song dynasty official, and the Anhui Museum, which showcases the region's history and cultural artifacts.
Average pint of beer price
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia | $0.74/£0.57/€0.68
Ulaanbaatar also stands out for having the most affordable average pint of beer, priced at just $0.74 (£0.57, €0.68). This is especially interesting to those who enjoy a night out or two on their trips. If you enjoy socializing and experiencing local nightlife, Ulaanbaatar has 12 bars and pubs to try out.
However, it is worth remembering that in Ulaanbaatar, the first and twentieth days of each month are alcohol-free. This means you cannot buy any beer, no matter how cheap, throughout the city on those days.
Average meal price
Nanjing, Chongqing, and Chengdu, China | $2.76/£2.14/€2.54
Nanjing, Chongqing, and Chengdu in China share the title of the most affordable city for the average meal price, at $2.76 (£2.14, €2.54). Each city offers unique delicacies, so you’re sure to get a different culinary experience depending on which city you go to:
- Nanjing: Known for its historical significance as a former capital of China, Nanjing also caters to those looking for authentic dining experiences. You can try local delicacies such as Nanjing salted duck and traditional snacks at the Confucius Temple Market.
- Chongqing: Famous for its spicy Sichuan cuisine, Chongqing is a paradise for those who enjoy bold flavors. The city's signature hotpot, served in numerous restaurants, is a must-try. Chongqing's street food scene is equally vibrant, offering a variety of spicy and flavorful dishes at affordable prices.
- Chengdu: Chengdu is another city renowned for its flavorful Sichuan cuisine. The city's food scene is diverse and affordable, from the fiery hotpot to the aromatic kung pao chicken and dan dan noodles. Chengdu also has many tea houses where you can try jasmine, maofeng, and zhuyeqing tea.
Cody Candee, CEO and Founder of Bounce, comments on the importance of choosing the best East Asian destination for you and your budget:
“Choosing the best East Asian destination for your travel needs and budget is crucial for ensuring a fulfilling and stress-free experience. East Asia offers a tapestry of cultures, cuisines, and landscapes, but each city has different attractions and costs. Therefore, selecting the right destination involves balancing your interests and budget to get the most out of your trip.
“For example, if historical and cultural attractions are your priority, cities like Kyoto and Nanjing offer deep dives into traditional heritage and ancient landmarks, often with varying costs associated with accommodation and dining.
“Whereas, if natural beauty and outdoor activities are your main interests, destinations like Shizuoka in Japan or Chengdu in China provide stunning landscapes at different prices.
“Affordability plays a significant role in travel planning. Cities like Hefei in China and Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia show that you can experience rich cultural and natural attractions without straining your budget, thanks to their low transportation and accommodation costs and daily expenses.
“Understanding these variations can help you allocate your resources more effectively, ensuring you can enjoy more activities, dine out more frequently, or extend your stay.”
Methodology
We created a seed list of major cities in East Asia using Wikipedia. Any cities with missing data for all factors below were removed from the data set.
Best city break destinations
We took the total number of the following from Tripadvisor, all normalized by population (according to the World Population Review):
- All attractions
- Nature and park attractions
- Restaurants
- Bars and clubs
We then took each city's average annual temperature (Fahrenheit) and average annual rainfall from climate-data.org.
Most affordable city break destinations
We took the average hotel cost in each city on a weekend from Kayak. Data is correct as of 26 July 2024 and is based on prices from the previous two weeks.
We then took the following from Numbeo:
- The lowest cost per night in a hotel
- The average cost of a one-way ticket on public transport
- The average cost of a 1-kilometer taxi journey
- The average cost of a pint of local beer
- The average cost of a meal in an inexpensive restaurant
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