Shanghai Weather & Best Time to Visit

In East China, at the estuary of the Yangtze River to the East Sea, Shanghai has a subtropical monsoon climate, with four distinctive seasons, full of sunshine and abundant rainfall. Shanghai has a mild and humid climate, with short spring and autumn, and long winter and summer. In 2013, the average temperature was 17.6℃, sunshine was 1885.9 hours and precipitation was 1173.4 mm.

Shanghai weather by month

Check below Shanghai weather all year, you can have a general idea of Shanghai’s temperature and weather averages, and understand the coldest month, hottest month and rainy season. It will surely help for you to plan and pack for your Shanghai trip.

What is the best time of year to visit Shanghai?

Autumn from September to November is the best time to visit Shanghai, with mild weather, neither cold, nor hot. Besides, it is the best season to taste hairy crabs in Shanghai. But every spring from March to May, Shanghai is famous for Qingpu plum blossom, Fengxian rape flower, Pudong peach blossom, Songjiang blue bamboo shoots open the second, worth a visit too.

What is the coldest month in Shanghai? What should I wear?

See above the Shanghai weather chart, we can see the coldest month is January, with an average low of -1°C (31 °F). If visiting Shanghai in January, you’re suggested to wear sweater, wind coat, jacket, down coat, etc.

Does it rain a lot in Shanghai?

Due to its location, it rains for around one third of the year in Shanghai. April to June is the rainy season of Shanghai. According to statistics, more than 60 percent of the annual rainfall is concentrated from May to September.

Does it snow in Shanghai

Shanghai is close to the East China Sea. Although its latitude reaches 30 degrees north, due to the influence of ocean regulation and the urban heat island effect, the temperature in the urban area is relatively high. It may snow in Shanghai in winter, but the probability is relatively small.

Snow doesn't happen every year, and it's mostly sporadic, rarely heavy or blizzard. 1981-2010 statistics show that it snows in Shanghai from November 21st to December, but it's relatively rare, with less than 0.5 days of even snow. Therefore, no snow will form.

Shanghai in Spring (March to May) & Travel Advice

Weather: As spring arrives, Shanghai gets warmer and more energetic, with all kinds of flowers in full bloom. The average temperature in spring is 6.0℃-14.0℃ (42.8°F – 57.2°F). It is dry with abundant sunshine – a good time to travel to Shanghai. However, it often rains lightly to Moderately in Shanghai in April and May. It is recommended to carry an umbrella or a rain coat with you.

What to wear: suits, jacket, coat, windbreaker, thin sweaters

What to do in Shanghai in Spring:

Numerous parks in Shanghai, such as Gucun Park, Daning Tulip Park and Jing'an Sculpture Park are great places to enjoy flowers in spring. Take a hand-pulled boat in Zhujiajiao Ancient Town to experience the smoky water town. The combination of Yuyuan Garden and City God Temple offers a nice trip of classic Chinese gardens and snacks. Shanghai Disney is decorated with a spring theme. Shanghai Nature History Museum, Shanghai Science and Technology Museum and Shanghai Museum are suitable for rainy days.

>> Recommended Private Shanghai Day Tour 

Shanghai in Summer (June to September) & Travel Advice

Weather: You can expect much rainfall and high-temperature weather if you visit Shanghai in summer. The average temperature is 21℃-28℃ (69.8°F – 82.4°F). July and August are the hottest months of the whole year. It is also the rainy season in Shanghai. There are sometimes heavy rain caused by typhoons.

What to wear: short sleeve, T-Shirt, skirt, shorts

What to do in Shanghai in Summer:

Shanghai is rainy in June and hot (35°C+) from July to August. It is recommended to avoid midday (11:00-15:00) and prefer 8:00 to 10:00, indoor and night activities. The 118th floor observation lounge of the Shanghai Tower is located at 546 meters, where you can enjoy the natural wind from above. Take an evening stroll along the Bund and take a Huangpu River Cruise to enjoy the mesmerizing night view of Shanghai - made up of historic buildings and skyscrapers. The Shanghai Disneyland Summer Festival features limited performances such as the Elsa Splash Show and nighttime fireworks.

Shanghai in Autumn (October November) & Travel Advice

Weather: Autumn is considered the best time to travel to Shanghai, with mostly sunny and dry days. The average temperature is 15℃-20℃ (59°F – 68°F).

What to wear: short sleeved T-Shirt, jeans, topcoat, vest

What to do in Shanghai in Autumn:

The pleasant weather in the fall makes it one of the best seasons to visit Shanghai. Ginkgoes are golden, maple leaves are turning red, and osmanthus blossoms are fragrant, therefore, it is good to enjoy the outdoor activities like biking and walking. Guilin Park (in Xuhui District), Shanghai Botanical Garden (in Xuhui District), and Guyi Garden (in Jiading District) are the best places to enjoy osmanthus, with golden, silver, and danggui laurels in bloom. The Sheshan National Forest Park, with its flaming autumn leaves, is suitable for hiking. 

Other places to enjoy autumn colors include Zhujiajiao Ancient Town and Qibao Ancient Town, the Bund, Shanghai Former French Concession, Yuyuan Garden... 

Don't miss out on fall delicacies, such as hairy crabs (recommended to go to Wang Bao He Restaurant), osmanthus sugar roots (recommended to Green Wave Gallery Cheng Huang Temple Store), and yellow fish noodles (recommended to A Niang Noodle House).

Shanghai in Winter (December to February) & Travel Advice

Weather: Temperatures drops from cool to cold. But normally it doesn’t snow in Shanghai. The average temperature is 8℃-15℃ (46.4°F – 59°F).

What to wear: thick sweater, down coat, overcoat

What to do in Shanghai in Winter:

Winter in Shanghai is characterized by cooler temperatures and occasional cold snaps or light rain. However, there are many indoor activities and some outdoor attractions are enhanced by the festive atmosphere.

Disneyland is decorated with Christmas-themed decorations and artificial snowfall. The Yu Garden Lantern Festival begins in late December with traditional lanterns and Chinese zodiac themes for those who enjoy Chinese culture. It is recommended to wear Hanfu for a night tour and take photos. There is the fabulous Light Show on New Year's Eve  on the Bund, when the Lujiazui skyline across the river is also brightly lit. At the City God Temple, locals pray for blessings in the New Year, eat traditional snacks and enjoy dragon and lion dances. At Longhua Temple, they ring the bell on Chinese New Year's Eve and you can experience vegetarian food.

Afraid of the cold? The Shanghai Museum is a good place to escape the cold, where you can enjoy bronzes, calligraphy and painting exhibitions, and more. Nearby Shanghai, Sun Island Hot Springs in Chongming is suitable for a winter wellness trip in China.

Dates to Avoid Visiting Shanghai

Mid-June - early July is the rainiest time in Shanghai. Constant rain combined with high humidity can make you feel unwell and is not suitable for traveling.

Mid-July - mid-August is the hottest time and the summer vacation (peak season for domestic family travel). Surface temperatures at midday on the Bund and other open-air attractions are over 40. 

During the Spring Festival (the first to the seventh day of the Lunar Calendar) and the National Day Holiday (October 1-7), places such as Yu Garden, Yuyuan Bazaar, City God Temple and the Bund are very crowded. The flow is limited and queues take 3 hours +. The East Nanjing Road subway station may not stop during the National Day. One-way traffic control will be implemented on the Bund.