This guide helps you choose the best weeks for your trip. It covers long-term weather patterns, key holiday dates to avoid, opening rules for major sights, and packing tips. For full route ideas and planning advice, explore our Shanghai travel guide and our China month-by-month guide.
When is the best time to visit Shanghai?
The best time to visit Shanghai is April to May or October to November. During these windows, temperatures are comfortable for walking outside and sightseeing across the city.
The table below shows long-term climate averages for Shanghai from the World Meteorological Organization. On average, rainfall occurs throughout the whole year.
| Month | Average high / low | Rain | What it is like |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8°C / 1°C | 39 mm, 9 days | Cold days, chilly nights, light rain |
| February | 9°C / 2°C | 59 mm, 10 days | Cool days, cold nights, some rain |
| March | 13°C / 5°C | 81 mm, 13 days | Cool, damp, many rain days |
| April | 19°C / 11°C | 102 mm, 13 days | Mild days, frequent light rain |
| May | 24°C / 16°C | 115 mm, 13 days | Warm days, mild evenings, rain common |
| June | 27°C / 20°C | 152 mm, 14 days | Warm and damp, most rain days |
| July | 32°C / 25°C | 128 mm, 12 days | Hot afternoons, warm nights, sudden rain |
| August | 32°C / 25°C | 133 mm, 10 days | Hot days, warm nights, summer rain |
| September | 27°C / 21°C | 156 mm, 12 days | Warm weather, highest monthly rainfall total |
| October | 22°C / 15°C | 61 mm, 9 days | Mild days, cooler nights, less rain |
| November | 17°C / 9°C | 51 mm, 8 days | Cool days, cooler evenings, less rain |
| December | 11°C / 2°C | 35 mm, 7 days | Chilly days, cold air, lowest rainfall |
Spring brings pleasant daytime temperatures. In April, average daily highs reach around 19°C. By May, average daily highs rise to 24°C. You can expect rain on roughly 13 days each month, but showers are often easy to manage.
Late autumn is another popular window. September still sees warm weather, but it records the highest monthly rainfall in the averages at 156 mm. October and November are milder and bring much less rain. Average daily highs drop from 22°C in October to 17°C in November. For long walking days along the riverfront, October and November are usually preferable to September.
What is Shanghai like in summer and winter?
Summer is hot and wet. Winter is cooler and still gets rain. Both work if you plan outdoor time around the weather.
Summer runs from June through August. Average daytime highs range from 27°C to 32°C, and overnight lows stay around 20°C to 25°C. July and August are the hottest months of the year, with average highs around 32°C. June has 14 rain days, which is the highest count of any month.
During July and August, school summer holidays take place across China. Family attractions and major theme parks are often busier than usual. To stay comfortable in the summer heat, plan outdoor walks along the streets early in the morning. Save modern indoor museums and shopping centers for the hottest or wettest afternoon hours.
Winter lasts from December through February. Average daytime highs sit between 8°C and 11°C, while night temperatures hover around 1°C to 2°C. These temperatures are much milder than the freezing winter conditions in northern cities like Beijing.
A hard freeze is rare in these long-term averages. Rain still falls on about 7 to 10 days each winter month. Bring a warm coat and layers for evenings outside.
Which weeks should you avoid in Shanghai?
Avoid the three main national holiday periods. Trains, hotels and big sights are often very crowded then.
The three peak windows in 2027 are:
- Spring Festival (Chinese New Year): Friday 5 to Saturday 13 February 2027 (9 days). Lunar New Year's Eve is 5 February; Chinese New Year is 6 February. Sunday 31 January and Sunday 14 February are swapped working days.
- Labour Day: Saturday 1 to Wednesday 5 May 2027 (5 days). Saturday 8 May is a swapped working day.
- National Day (Golden Week): Friday 1 to Thursday 7 October 2027 (7 days). Sunday 26 September and Saturday 9 October are swapped working days.
China joins these holidays to weekends to make longer breaks. People then work on a nearby weekend day. The official dates are in the 2027 holiday notice.
Shorter breaks also fall in 2027: New Year 1–3 January, Qingming 3–5 April, Dragon Boat 9 June, and Mid-Autumn 15 September. They are usually lighter than the three peaks, but still book trains early. See our Golden Week guide, Chinese New Year 2027 guide, and Chinese festivals 2027.
Around Chinese New Year, some independent restaurants and small shops may close for several days. Big sights mostly stay open; check each sight's own notice.
How does the season change what you book?
Busy weeks change how early you book trains and hotels. Opening days also change which museum campus to visit.
- Shanghai Museum East: Wednesday to Monday, 10:00–18:00 (last entry 17:00). Closed Tuesdays except national holidays. Individuals usually need no reservation. Bring your passport.
- Shanghai Museum on People's Square: Tuesday to Sunday, 09:00–17:00 (last entry 15:00). Closed Mondays except national holidays. Through 14 November 2027, permanent displays are at the East campus.
- Yu Garden: Usually 09:00–16:30, entry stops 16:00. Closed Mondays except national holidays. Check current hours before you go.
For the three peak holiday weeks, book trains and hotels early. More city tips are in our Shanghai travel guide.
What should you pack for Shanghai each season?
Pack for the season, and bring good walking shoes all year.
- Spring (March to May): Pack light layers that you can adjust during the day. In April, overnight lows average around 11°C, while May afternoons can feel warm at 24°C. Bring a light waterproof jacket or a compact travel umbrella for passing rain showers.
- Summer (June to August): Pack breathable, lightweight clothing made of cotton or linen. Bring a sun hat, sunglasses, and a sturdy compact umbrella for frequent summer rainstorms. Thin long sleeves can also protect your skin against strong indoor air conditioning.
- Autumn (September to November): Bring light shirts for warm afternoons and warmer layers for the evenings. November lows drop to an average of 9°C, so a sweater, cardigan, or medium jacket is useful after sunset.
- Winter (December to February): Pack a warm winter coat, thermal undershirts, a scarf, and warm socks. Average daily highs range from 8°C to 11°C, so evenings outside still feel cold.
- All seasons: Bring broken-in walking shoes. You will walk a lot on pavements, garden paths and museum floors.
Trips that include this
These LocalKey routes include Shanghai:
- First-Time China, 9 days: Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai. It works best in April to May and September to October.
- Beijing and Shanghai, 7 days: the capital's sights plus Shanghai's waterfront, for a shorter spring or autumn trip.
- Shanghai, Hangzhou and Suzhou, 7 days: Shanghai with nearby garden towns and West Lake.
You can see more routes on China tours. LocalKey plans private trips for your own party, planned, booked and backed, as Independent or Private Guided under private China tours. On Independent, a local guide, a car and driver, or an airport pickup is an optional add-on on the days you choose.
Want different dates? Start a custom route.
Sources
- Shanghaiworldweather.wmo.int · WMO World Weather Information ServiceChecked Nov 6, 2026
- 2027 Holiday Arrangements Noticegov.cn · State Council General OfficeChecked Nov 6, 2026
- Gregorian-Lunar Calendar 2027hko.gov.hk · Hong Kong ObservatoryChecked Nov 6, 2026
- Visit Shanghai Museum Eastshanghaimuseum.net · Shanghai MuseumChecked Nov 6, 2026
- Visit People's Square Campusshanghaimuseum.net · Shanghai MuseumChecked Nov 6, 2026
- National Festivals and Memorial Days Holiday Measuresgov.cn · State CouncilChecked Nov 6, 2026
