Month guide · Shanghai · China
Shanghai in October
What October is really like in Shanghai: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: This illustration was made by Peter Potrowl . Please credit this with : © Peter Potrowl in, CC BY 3.0
Quick answer
October is one of the best months to visit Shanghai. Expect average highs of 23°C (73°F), lows of 16°C (61°F), about 6 rainy days and roughly 11.3 hours of daylight. Dry, sunny and comfortable, but the National Day Golden Week in the first week makes the Bund and Yu Garden extremely crowded.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 23°C (73°F) / 16°C (61°F)
- Rainy days
- About 6
- Daylight
- About 11.3 hours
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in October
October is the 6th-warmest month in Shanghai: days average 23°C (73°F) against a yearly average high of 21°C (70°F), and nights fall to about 16°C (61°F). Rain falls on roughly 6 of its 31 days. Compared with September (28°C (82°F)), October is cooler; by November highs drop to around 17°C (63°F).
- Sunrise (15 October)
- About 05:57
- Sunset (15 October)
- About 17:22
- Daylight
- About 11.3 hours
Autumn (September–November). The most settled season: clear skies, hairy crab season and golden plane trees, apart from the very crowded Golden Week in early October.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, October rates 4 for crowds (the peak is April at 4) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in April). Book accommodation early: October is one of the pricier months.
Events in October
- National Day Golden Week (1–7 October)
- Hairy crab season (roughly late September to November)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in October
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
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Street · The Bund and People's Square
Nanjing Road
Nanjing Road East is a pedestrian shopping street of about 1.2 km running from the Bund to People's Square, lined with department stores, food halls and neon signs.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- After dark
- Iconic
Theme park · Pudong
Shanghai Disneyland
Weekdays outside Chinese school holidays have far shorter queues; download the official app to see waiting times.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Kids
- Iconic
- After dark
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
Neighbourhood · Former French Concession
Former French Concession walk
Start at Wukang Mansion and finish at Fuxing Park; autumn, when the plane trees turn yellow, is the best season.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Couples
- Food
- Photo spot
What to pack
For highs near 23°C, lows near 16°C and 6 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; comfortable walking shoes.
Is October a good time to visit Shanghai?
One of the best months to visit Shanghai, with 2 notable events on the calendar. The other best months are April–May and November. Compare every month.
Shanghai in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is October a good time to visit Shanghai?
It is one of the best months to visit Shanghai. Dry, sunny and comfortable, but the National Day Golden Week in the first week makes the Bund and Yu Garden extremely crowded.
+How warm is Shanghai in October?
Average highs are around 23°C (73°F) and lows around 16°C (61°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Shanghai in October?
Expect rain on about 6 days of the month.