Shanghai Weather & Seasons | Best Time to Visit Shanghai

Shanghai has a subtropical monsoon climate with four distinct seasons, and abundant rainfall. The weather in Shanghai is overall mild and moist all year round, and it is often cloudy and overcast. The city's average annual temperature is 15.8 °C (60.4 °F) for urban districts and 15.2–15.7 °C (59.4–60.3 °F) for suburbs, and annual precipitation is about 1173 mm. Shanghai is susceptible to typhoons, and more than 60% of the annual rainfall is concentrated from May to September with occasional downpours. It has four distinct seasons: spring is warm, windy, and pleasant; summer is hot and humid; autumn is short and cool; winter is chilly and overcast.

Best Time to Visit Shanghai

You can visit Shanghai in any season you like. The time from March to May (spring) and the late September to November (autumn) boasts comfortable temperatures and fewer tourists and rain showers, making it the best time to travel. The rising temperature of spring offers a short sweet spot for travel. Though it is chilly to visit Shanghai in winter, you may encounter some folk activities to celebrate Chinese New Year; while in summer, the nightscape along the Bund and the Huangpu River is very beautiful. Try to avoid scheduling your Shanghai explore on weekends and Chinese holidays, such as National Day (the beginning of Oct.), Labor's Day (the beginning of May). It is necessary to check out the weather forecast while planning your Shanghai tour.

Average Shanghai Temperature by Month

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Shanghai Seasons to Go

Shanghai Spring (March, April, May)

Spring brings warming days with the beautiful blossoms that reside in the city parks, making March to mid-May probably one of the best times to visit weather-wise. There is moderate rainfall. Except for the May Day holiday and Tomb Sweeping Day, there are usually not too many tourists. Many parks have special flower appreciation fairs.

What to Wear in Shanghai Spring

Sweaters and coats are suitable for this season and prepare some lighter clothes for warmer days. You are also recommended to wear windbreakers, jackets, and other clothes to keep warm.

Seasonal Activities in Shanghai Spring

Take a walk along the Bund or cruise on the Huangpu River. Also, you can go to Zhujiajiao Water Town or Yuyuan Garden to enjoy the spring green scenery. Besides, have a lot of fun in Shanghai Disney Resort or get some fresh air in the Shanghai Botanical Garden.

Popular Shanghai Spring Tour:

✔ 2 Days Classic Shanghai City Tour

Shanghai Disneyland in Spring

Shanghai Weather in March

Temperature: 10°C / 50°F
High Temperature: 14°C / 57°F
Low Temperature: 7°C / 44°F
Average AQI: 80
Humidity: 73%
Rainfall: 94 mm
Rainy Days: 12.4 days
Sunrise: 05:44 ~ 06:20
Sunset: 17:52 ~ 18:12

Shanghai Weather in April

Temperature: 15.3°C / 60°F
High Temperature: 20°C /68°F
Low Temperature: 12°C / 53°F
Average AQI: 71
Humidity: 72%
Rainfall: 74 mm
Rainy Days: 11.2 days
Sunrise: 05:10 ~ 05:42
Sunset: 18:13 ~ 18:32

Shanghai Weather in May

Temperature: 21°C / 69°F
High Temperature: 25°C /77°F
Low Temperature: 17°C / 63°F
Average AQI: 86
Humidity: 72%
Rainfall: 85 mm
Rainy Days: 10.4 days
Sunrise: 04:50 ~ 05:09
Sunset: 18:33 ~ 18:52

Shanghai Summer (June, July, August)

Summer may be the peak travel season, and there will be queues in popular scenic spots such as Disneyland. The hot and humid weather makes conditions outside uncomfortable, with temperatures sometimes as high as 40°C (104°F) in July and August. The heat, a damp saunalike heat, is draining. June brings ‘plum rains, saturating downpours and many narrow lanes and streets turn to brooks.

What to Wear in Shanghai Summer

It is recommended that you always carry an umbrella in summer. Wear summer clothes such as skirts, shorts, and T-shirts. Wearing sunglasses and using sunscreen is recommended for those susceptible to strong sun rays.

Seasonal Activities in Shanghai Summer

Visiting Yuyuan Garden or go boating on the river of Zhujiajiao Water Town or Fengjing Water Town is very relaxing in summer. Also, you can go to visit the Shanghai Museum, Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center to learn more about the history of the whole China and the future of Shanghai as well as to escape from the summer heat. What’s more, you can take a slight walk along the Wukang Road to spend leisure time with the pretty international buildings.

Popular Shanghai Summer Tour:

✔ 3 Days Best Shanghai Tour with Wuzhen Water Town

Shanghai Nightscape in Summer

Shanghai Weather in June

Temperature: 24°C / 76°F
High Temperature: 28°C / 82°F
Low Temperature: 22°C / 71°F
Average AQI: 72
Humidity: 79%
Rainfall: 182 mm
Rainy Days: 12.7 days
Sunrise: 04:49 ~ 04:53
Sunset: 18:53 ~ 19:02

Shanghai Weather in July

Temperature: 29°C / 84°F
High Temperature: 32°C / 90°F
Low Temperature: 26°C / 78°F
Average AQI: 69
Humidity: 77%
Rainfall: 146 mm
Rainy Days: 11.4 days
Sunrise: 04:53 ~ 05:10
Sunset: 18:50 ~ 19:02

Shanghai Weather in August

Temperature: 28°C / 82°F
High Temperature: 32°C / 89°F
Low Temperature: 26°C / 78°F
Average AQI: 70
Humidity: 78%
Rainfall: 214 mm
Rainy Days: 12.3 days
Sunrise: 05:10 ~ 05:29
Sunset: 18:18 ~ 18:49

Shanghai Autumn (Septemebr, October, November)

Autumn is also very pleasant, but it can still be very hot in September. The weather is generally sunny and drier. Autumn is the season with sharp and frequent temperature changes. Early September is the opening season for colleges and universities in Shanghai, while early October is the golden week for tourists. The occupancy rate of hotels in certain areas of Shanghai may be high. If you want to travel to Shanghai at that time, booking one room in advance is needed.

What to Wear in Shanghai Autumn

Long-sleeve T-shirts and then sweaters or coats are needed as the season progresses. You are recommended to wear shirts, long skirts, and thin sweaters, windbreakers, casual clothes, jackets, suits, etc.

Seasonal Activities in Shanghai Autumn

The area's fall foliage begins at the end of this season and continues until early December. See fall foliage in Shanghai. Get some serene in the Jade Buddha Temple. Visit the world high skyscrapers like Shanghai Tower, Shanghai World Financial Center, Jinmao Tower, Oriental Pearl Tower, and so forth in Lujiazui is also recommended.

Popular Shanghai Autumn Tour

✔ 4 Days Shanghai Magic Tour with Disneyland Park

Clients at Xintiandi in Autumn

Shanghai Weather September

Temperature: 25°C / 77°F
High Temperature: 28°C / 82°F
Low Temperature: 22°C / 72°F
Average AQI: 63
Humidity: 75%
Rainfall: 87 mm
Rainy Days: 9.1 days
Sunrise: 05:30 ~ 05:47
Sunset: 17:40 ~ 18:17

Shanghai Weather in October

Temperature: 20°C / 68°F
High Temperature: 23°C / 73°F
Low Temperature: 17°C / 62°F
Average AQI: 67
Humidity: 72%
Rainfall: 56 mm
Rainy Days: 6.9 days
Sunrise: 05:47 ~ 06:08
Sunset: 17:06 ~ 17:39

Shanghai Weather in November

Temperature: 14°C / 57°F
High Temperature: 17°C / 63°F
Low Temperature: 11°C / 51°F
Average AQI: 65
Humidity: 72%
Rainfall: 52 mm
Rainy Days: 7.6 days
Sunrise: 06:09 ~ 06:34
Sunset: 16:51 ~ 17:05

Shanghai Winter (December, January, February)

Winter is from December to February of the next year. It is humid and cold and barely snows. Although there is air conditioning in the room, we still need to keep warm. During the Spring Festival, there will be traditional folk performances and lantern festival near City God's Temple and Yu Garden. The Lantern Festival will be full of the festival atmosphere.

What to Wear in Shanghai Winter

You’ll need to wear overcoats, sweaters, winter coats, woolen jackets, gloves, down jacket and scarfs to keep warm.

Seasonal Activities in Shanghai Winter

You could join the Chinese New Year and Spring Festival from late January until early February. And during this season, you can visit Zhujiajiao Water Town and Yuyuan Garden that are very antique and charming in winter.

Popular Shanghai Winter Tour

✔ 3 Days Shanghai Past and Present Contrast Tour

Shanghai Cityscape in Winter

Shanghai Weather in December

Temperature: 7.6°C / 46°F
High Temperature: 11°C / 52°F
Low Temperature: 5°C / 41°F
Average AQI: 81
Humidity: 71%
Rainfall: 44 mm
Rainy Days: 7.7 days
Sunrise: 06:34 ~ 06:52
Sunset: 16:51 ~ 17:01

Shanghai Weather in January

Temperature: 5°C /41°F
High Temperature: 8°C / 47°F
Low Temperature: 2°C / 36°F
Average AQI: 81
Humidity: 74%
Rainfall: 74 mm
Rainy Days: 9.9 days
Sunrise: 06:47 ~ 06:53
Sunset: 17:01 ~ 17:27

Shanghai Weather in February

Temperature: 6.6°C /44°F
High Temperature: 10°C / 50°F
Low Temperature: 4°C / 39°F
Average AQI: 55
Humidity: 73%
Rainfall: 59 mm
Rainy Days: 9.2 days
Sunrise: 06:21 ~ 06:46
Sunset: 17:28 ~ 17:51

How to Plan a Shanghai Tour

How to Get to Shanghai: You can fly to Shanghai directly from Hong Kong, Tokyo, Seoul, London, Los Angeles & many overseas countries (regions) and almost all major Chinese cities, like Beijing, Xian; or take high speed bullet train to Shanghai from domestic cities.

Best Time to Visit Shanghai: March to May (in spring) & September to November (in autumn), because these periods offer beautiful nature scenery and comfortable weather for outdoor sightseeing and activities.

Top Attractions to Visit in Shanghai: The Bund, Lujiazui Skyscrapers, Yu Garden, Shanghai Museum, Wukang Road, Shanghai Disney Resort…

Best known as an international popular tourist destination, Shanghai perfectly preserves mixed culture of the western and eastern. The duration and theme of your Shanghai tour can be flexibly arranged based on your time and interests. Usually, tourists spend 2 days on sightseeing the most famous landmarks, including the Bund, Yu Garden, skyscrapers like Shanghai Tower, World Financial Center, Wukang Road, Shanghai Museum, etc. With one extra day, you can enjoy family fun in Disneyland Park or visit Zhujiajiao Water Town in the suburb. Don't miss the Shanghai Maglev Train, wonderful nightlife and Shanghai Cuisine.

✔ 2 Days Classic Shanghai City Tour
✔ 3 Days Shanghai Past and Present Contrast Tour
✔ 3 Days Shanghai Highlights & Zhujiajiao Water Town Tour

Travel Shanghai with Hangzhou Suzhou, More Nearby Destinations

Convenient transportation makes it quite efficient and popular to make day trips from Shanghai to Hangzhou, Suzhou, and longer vacation in Huangshan Mountain, Nanjing, Mount Jiuhua and other places in surrounding areas. So you can visit West Lake and learn Chinese tea culture in Hangzhou, marvel at tasteful classical gardens and witness Chinese silk productive process. Splendid rocky mountains with exotic pine trees are highlights in Huangshan Mountain.

✔ 5 Days Shanghai Hangzhou Suzhou Highlights Tour
✔ 6 Splendid East China Tour by Bullet Train
✔ 5 Days Shanghai Huangshan Tour by High Speed Train

Travel Shanghai with Beijing, Xian & More China Destinations

Beijing Xian Shanghai are golden triangle cities often visited together for a week holiday. You can use 3 days to visit the Great Wall and major iconic spots like Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven in Beijing, and leave 2 days for fulfilling your Terracotta Warriors tour in Xian. With more time, you can extend the trip from Shanghai to Zhangjiajie, Guilin, Chengdu, Yunnan, Silk Road, Tibet and more phenomenal destinations to enrich your China discovery. (more top China tours from Shanghai >>)

✔ 6 Days Beijing Shanghai Tour by High Speed Train
✔ 8 Days Best of China Tour (Beijing/Xian/Shanghai)
✔ 7 Days Shanghai Suzhou Beijing Contrast Tour by High Speed Train

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Travel with China Discovery

As a leading travel agency in China which dedicates to offering high-quality China tours, China Discovery has helped thousands of travelers enjoy their trips to Shanghai, Beijing, Xian, etc., in China. Travel with us, you can enjoy worry-free tour services as well as well-organized itineraries, even our assistance of Chinese Visa application, convenient airport/train station pick-up & drop-off and transfer between all scenic spots, knowledgeable tour guide, safe & licensed private vehicle, satisfactory accommodation and dining and so on. You are free to choose from our most popular Shanghai tour packages or contact us to design a memorable holiday in Shanghai, China.

Shanghai Travel Guide

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Recommended Shanghai Tours

Top 3 Shanghai tours chosen by most customers to explore Shanghai in the best way. Check the detailed itinerary,or tailor your own trip now with us.

3 Days Shanghai Past and Present Contrast Tour (at Leisure Pace)

Shanghai

5 Days Shanghai Hangzhou Suzhou Highlights Tour

Shanghai / Hangzhou / Suzhou / Shanghai

3 Days Shanghai Highlights Tour with Water Town

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