Shanghai
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 12:34 (UTC+8).
Good for
In season
The year at a glance
March · high 15°C · rain 101mm · 11.9h of daylight · in the recommended window
shaded columns are the recommended window
Measured at Shanghai (Pudong), the arrival airport
Averages for 2019–2023 from Open-Meteo’s archive, not a forecast
| 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
- CNYrenminbi
- Language
- Standard Chinese
- Driving
- on the right
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Try it with your groupCommon 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 middling.
What sort of trip is Shanghai good for?
Shanghai is good for food and drink, history and culture, bucket-list trips.
How rainy is Shanghai?
The wettest month in Shanghai is July at 295mm (11.6in), the driest December at 39mm (1.5in), with a monthly average of 122mm (4.8in).
What plug do I need for Shanghai?
Shanghai uses type A, C, I sockets at 220 V.
