Shanghai

Shanghai · China · Shanghai (Pudong)

A skyline on one side of the river facing colonial-era buildings on the other, soup dumplings that require a strategy to eat without disaster, and a bullet train that makes the whole country feel smaller than it is.

The best time to visit Shanghai is Mar–May, Sep–Nov, when typical daytime highs reach about 23°C (73°F). Local time there is 02:01 (UTC+8).

Best time to go

Mar–May, Sep–Nov

Budget on the ground

$$ · mid-range

Nearest airport

PVG · Shanghai (Pudong)

Good for

eating extremely well old stones and real towns the once-in-a-lifetime sort of thing

In season

March April May September October November

The year at a glance

Light0 to 24h High8 to 32°C46 to 90°F Rain0 to 300mm0 to 11.8in

March · high 58°F · rain 4.0in · 11.9h of daylight · in the recommended window

shaded columns are the recommended window

Measured at Shanghai (Pudong), this page’s gateway

Shanghai month by month, the same numbers the figure draws
Month	High °CHigh °F	Rain mmRain in	Light	Notes
January	9°C49°F	73mm2.9in	10.3h10.3h
February	10°C50°F	71mm2.8in	11.0h11.0h
March	15°C58°F	101mm4.0in	11.9h11.9h	in the recommended window
April	19°C66°F	91mm3.6in	12.9h12.9h	in the recommended window
May	23°C74°F	112mm4.4in	13.7h13.7h	in the recommended window
June	27°C80°F	208mm8.2in	14.2h14.2h
July	30°C87°F	295mm11.6in	14.0h14.0h
August	31°C88°F	166mm6.5in	13.3h13.3h
September	27°C81°F	198mm7.8in	12.3h12.3h	in the recommended window
October	22°C72°F	56mm2.2in	11.4h11.4h	in the recommended window
November	18°C64°F	59mm2.3in	10.5h10.5h	in the recommended window
December	11°C52°F	39mm1.5in	10.1h10.1h

Good to know

Currency: CNY · renminbi
Language: Standard Chinese
Plug: A, C, I
Driving: on the right

United States: Type A at home goes in, so your phone charger is fine; Type B plugs are earthed and do not. 220 V there, 120 V at home: check your charger says 100-240 V.

Check your own plugs

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Common questions

When is the best time to visit Shanghai?

The best time to visit Shanghai is Mar–May, Sep–Nov, when typical daytime highs reach about 23°C (73°F).

How warm does Shanghai get?

Typical daytime highs in Shanghai are Mar–May 19°C (66°F), Jun–Aug 29°C (85°F), Sep–Nov 23°C (73°F), Dec–Feb 10°C (50°F).

Is Shanghai expensive?

On the ground, Shanghai is mid-range.

What sort of trip is Shanghai good for?

Shanghai is good for eating extremely well, old stones and real towns, the once-in-a-lifetime sort of thing.