Season guide · Shanghai · China

Shanghai in autumn

September–November: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.

Updated 23 October 2026By the AMZBooking editorial team

Quick answer

The most settled season: clear skies, hairy crab season and golden plane trees, apart from the very crowded Golden Week in early October. Expect highs up to 28°C (82°F) and lows around 10°C (50°F), with about 22 rainy days across September–November. October–November are among the best months of the year to visit.

Months: September–November
Temperatures: 10°C (50°F) to 28°C (82°F)
Rainy days in the season: About 22
Crowds: Moderate
Hotel prices: High

Weather in autumn

Shanghai in autumn: month by month
Month	High	Low	Rainy days	Daylight	Crowds
September	28°C (82°F)	22°C (72°F)	9	12.3 h	3/5
October	23°C (73°F)	16°C (61°F)	6	11.3 h	4/5
November	17°C (63°F)	10°C (50°F)	7	10.5 h	3/5

Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 23°C (73°F) against a yearly 21°C (70°F), and 22 of the year's roughly 119 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 3/5 and hotel prices 4/5 on average.

What's on in autumn

Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.

September: Shanghai Tourism Festival (usually mid-September to early October)
September: Mid-Autumn Festival — mooncakes and moon viewing (September or early October)
October: National Day Golden Week (1–7 October)
October: Hairy crab season (roughly late September to November)
November: China International Import Expo — trade fair that fills hotels (usually early November)
November: Shanghai Marathon (usually late November or early December)

Make the most of the weather

Museum · Jing'an

Shanghai Natural History Museum

Housed in a spiralling modern building in Jing'an Sculpture Park, the museum has dinosaur skeletons, a hall of African animals and hands-on displays on evolution and ecosystems.

Time needed: 2–3 hours
Cost: Low cost

Kids
Rainy day
Nature

Waterfront · Xuhui riverside

West Bund and Long Museum

Rent a share bike and ride the riverside path, stopping at the Long Museum for its concrete vaulted galleries.

Time needed: Half a day
Cost: Low cost

Art
Outdoors
Off the beaten path
Active

Park · Former French Concession

Fuxing Park

Laid out by the French in the early 20th century, Fuxing Park is where retired Shanghainese gather for ballroom dancing, tai chi, card games and choir singing.

Time needed: 45 minutes
Cost: Free

Free
Outdoors
Off the beaten path
Kids

Waterfront · The Bund and People's Square

The Bund

Come twice: at sunrise, when locals practise tai chi on the promenade, and after dark for the lit-up skyline.

Time needed: 1–2 hours
Cost: Free

Iconic
Free
Views
After dark
Architecture
Photo spot
Couples

Viewpoint · Lujiazui (Pudong)

Shanghai Tower

China's tallest building rises 632 metres in a twisting glass spiral.

Time needed: 1.5 hours
Cost: Mid-priced

Views
Iconic
Architecture
Rainy day

Day trips in autumn

Zhujiajiao (About 1 hour by Metro) — A canal town within Shanghai's Qingpu district, with stone bridges, including the five-arched Fangsheng Bridge, waterside teahouses and boat rides.
Wuzhen (About 2 hours by bus or train and taxi) — Wuzhen is a carefully restored water town split into the residential East Scenic Zone and the more polished West Scenic Zone, which is beautiful when lit up at night.

What to pack

Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen
A packable rain jacket for showers
Comfortable walking shoes

Other times of year

Questions travellers ask

+Is autumn a good time to visit Shanghai?

Yes: October–November are among the best months. The most settled season: clear skies, hairy crab season and golden plane trees, apart from the very crowded Golden Week in early October.

+What is the weather like in Shanghai in autumn?

Highs of up to 28°C (82°F) and lows around 10°C (50°F), with about 22 rainy days over the season.