Best time to visit · Shanghai · China
The best time to visit Shanghai
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Josh Grenier, CC BY 2.0
Quick answer
The best times to visit Shanghai are April to May and late September to November, when days are mild and mostly dry. Avoid the first week of October and 1–5 May if you can, when national holidays crowd the Bund and Yu Garden. Mid-June to early July brings the plum rains, and July–August are hot and humid with typhoon risk, while winter is cold and damp but quiet.
Key facts
- Best months
- April–May and October–November
- Shoulder season
- March, September and December
- Warmest month
- July (avg high 32°C (90°F))
- Coldest month
- January (avg high 8°C (46°F))
- Rainiest month
- June (~14 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- June–September and December–March
Seasons
Shanghai has a humid subtropical climate: damp, chilly winters around freezing at night, a rainy 'plum rain' season from mid-June to early July, and hot, humid summers with occasional typhoons. Spring and autumn are short and pleasant.
March–May
Spring
Blossom in parks, mild temperatures and comfortable walking, with drizzly spells in March and busy national holidays in early April and early May.
June–August
Summer
Plum rains in June, then heat and humidity with highs often above 32°C and occasional typhoons; plan indoor sights for midday.
September–November
Autumn
The most settled season: clear skies, hairy crab season and golden plane trees, apart from the very crowded Golden Week in early October.
December–February
Winter
Cold, damp and grey with nights near freezing, few tourists and lower prices outside the Lunar New Year rush.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8°C | 1°C | 10 | 10.3 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| February | 10°C | 3°C | 10 | 11 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| March | 14°C | 6°C | 12 | 11.9 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| April | 20°C | 11°C | 11 | 12.9 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| May | 25°C | 16°C | 11 | 13.7 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| June | 28°C | 21°C | 14 | 14.2 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| July | 32°C | 26°C | 12 | 14 h | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| August | 32°C | 26°C | 11 | 13.3 h | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| September | 28°C | 22°C | 9 | 12.3 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| October | 23°C | 16°C | 6 | 11.3 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| November | 17°C | 10°C | 7 | 10.5 h | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| December | 11°C | 3°C | 6 | 10.1 h | 2/5 | 3/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | Lunar New Year — lanterns at Yu Garden and temple crowds (late January or February) |
| February | Lantern Festival — lantern displays at Yu Garden (15th day of the lunar new year, February or early March) |
| March | Spring blossom in Gucun Park and Shanghai Botanical Garden (usually March–April) |
| April | Chinese Grand Prix — Formula One at the Shanghai International Circuit (usually spring); Qingming Festival holiday (early April) |
| May | Labour Day holiday — heavy domestic travel (1–5 May) |
| June | Shanghai International Film Festival (usually June); Dragon Boat Festival — zongzi rice dumplings and races (late May or June) |
| July | Summer school holidays — busy family attractions (July–August) |
| September | Shanghai Tourism Festival (usually mid-September to early October); Mid-Autumn Festival — mooncakes and moon viewing (September or early October) |
| October | National Day Golden Week (1–7 October); Hairy crab season (roughly late September to November) |
| November | China International Import Expo — trade fair that fills hotels (usually early November); Shanghai Marathon (usually late November or early December) |
| December | Christmas and New Year countdowns on the Bund and in Xintiandi |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in June–September and December–March, and the sights are quietest in December.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Spring | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Summer | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Autumn | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Winter | A warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Shanghai?
The best times to visit Shanghai are April to May and late September to November, when days are mild and mostly dry. Avoid the first week of October and 1–5 May if you can, when national holidays crowd the Bund and Yu Garden. Mid-June to early July brings the plum rains, and July–August are hot and humid with typhoon risk, while winter is cold and damp but quiet.
+When are hotel prices lowest in Shanghai?
Usually in June–September and December–March. Cold, damp and grey, with few tourists until Lunar New Year, when many residents leave and others travel in.
+What is the rainiest month in Shanghai?
June, with about 14 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Shanghai get?
The warmest month, July, averages highs of 32°C (90°F) and lows of 26°C (79°F).