Month guide · Shanghai · China
Shanghai in January
What January is really like in Shanghai: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
January is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 8°C (46°F), lows of 1°C (34°F), about 10 rainy days and roughly 10.3 hours of daylight. Cold, damp and grey, with few tourists until Lunar New Year, when many residents leave and others travel in.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 8°C (46°F) / 1°C (34°F)
- Rainy days
- About 10
- Daylight
- About 10.3 hours
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in January
January is the coolest month in Shanghai: days average 8°C (46°F) against a yearly average high of 21°C (70°F), and nights fall to about 1°C (34°F). Rain falls on roughly 10 of its 31 days. Compared with December (11°C (52°F)), January is cooler; by February highs climb to around 10°C (50°F).
- Sunrise (15 January)
- About 06:53
- Sunset (15 January)
- About 17:13
- Daylight
- About 10.3 hours
Winter (December–February). Cold, damp and grey with nights near freezing, few tourists and lower prices outside the Lunar New Year rush.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, January rates 3 for crowds (the peak is April at 4) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in April). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in January
- Lunar New Year — lanterns at Yu Garden and temple crowds (late January or February)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in January
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
.jpg){kind=link}
Viewpoint · Lujiazui (Pudong)
Shanghai Tower
Check the air quality and cloud base before buying; on hazy days the view from the Bund is better than from the top.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Views
- Iconic
- Architecture
- Rainy day
Museum · The Bund and People's Square
Shanghai Museum
The drum-shaped museum on People's Square holds one of China's finest collections of ancient bronzes, ceramics, calligraphy, jade and furniture, with clear English labelling.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Art
- Free
- Rainy day
_Mahavira_Hall,_Jade_Buddha_Temple,_Shanghai_-_img_04.jpg){kind=link}
Religious site · Jing'an
Jade Buddha Temple
Have a bowl of vegetarian noodles at the temple's restaurant after your visit.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Rainy day
_-_07.jpg){kind=link}
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
What to pack
For highs near 8°C, lows near 1°C and 10 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; shoes with good grip for icy pavements; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is January a good time to visit Shanghai?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, April–May and October–November are better overall. Compare every month.
Shanghai in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is January a good time to visit Shanghai?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Cold, damp and grey, with few tourists until Lunar New Year, when many residents leave and others travel in.
+How warm is Shanghai in January?
Average highs are around 8°C (46°F) and lows around 1°C (34°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Shanghai in January?
Expect rain on about 10 days of the month.