Month guide · Shanghai · China
Shanghai in September
What September is really like in Shanghai: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Jpbowen, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
September is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 28°C (82°F), lows of 22°C (72°F), about 9 rainy days and roughly 12.3 hours of daylight. Heat eases through the month; late September is pleasant, and hairy crab season begins.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 28°C (82°F) / 22°C (72°F)
- Rainy days
- About 9
- Daylight
- About 12.3 hours
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in September
September is the 4th-warmest month in Shanghai: days average 28°C (82°F) against a yearly average high of 21°C (70°F), and nights fall to about 22°C (72°F). Rain falls on roughly 9 of its 30 days. Compared with August (32°C (90°F)), September is cooler; by October highs drop to around 23°C (73°F).
- Sunrise (15 September)
- About 05:38
- Sunset (15 September)
- About 18:00
- Daylight
- About 12.3 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, September 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 September
- Shanghai Tourism Festival (usually mid-September to early October)
- Mid-Autumn Festival — mooncakes and moon viewing (September or early October)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in September
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Landmark · Lujiazui (Pudong)
Oriental Pearl Tower
Combine it with the Shanghai Ocean Aquarium next door for a family morning in Lujiazui.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Views
- Kids
- After dark
Experience · The Bund and People's Square
Huangpu River cruise
Sightseeing boats leave from piers on the Bund and in Lujiazui for loops of about 40–60 minutes past the Bund's heritage façades and the Pudong towers.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- After dark
- Views
- Couples
- Kids
- Iconic
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
What to pack
For highs near 28°C, lows near 22°C and 9 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is September a good time to visit Shanghai?
A shoulder-season month, with 2 notable events 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 September a good time to visit Shanghai?
It is a shoulder-season month. Heat eases through the month; late September is pleasant, and hairy crab season begins.
+How warm is Shanghai in September?
Average highs are around 28°C (82°F) and lows around 22°C (72°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Shanghai in September?
Expect rain on about 9 days of the month.