China, Asia
The best time to visit Shanghai
A city of spring and fall, with a plum-rain season, a sticky summer, and two holiday weeks to plan around.
- Best months
- Apr to May and Oct to Nov
- Think twice
- Jul
- Quietest
- January
- Cheapest
- January
The straight answer
The best time to visit Shanghai is April through May or late September through November, skipping the October 1 to 7 Golden Week: mild temperatures, lower humidity, and clear views from the Bund.
Go in April and May, or from late September through November, and keep clear of the first week of October. Spring brings mild days and blooming gardens; fall is drier and more settled, with comfortable walking weather in the French Concession and hairy crab season in the restaurants.
Shanghai's weather has two traps. The plum rains, called meiyu, usually arrive in mid June and last into early July, bringing weeks of drizzle and humidity. Then comes the real summer: highs around 90F (32C) with oppressive humidity, and the occasional typhoon brushing the coast between July and September.
China's holiday calendar matters as much as the weather. Golden Week in early October and the Labor Day holiday in early May send domestic tourists to the Bund, Yu Garden, and nearby water towns in enormous numbers. Chinese New Year, in late January or February, empties the city of migrant workers while jamming trains and flights. Winter is damp and chilly but cheap and quiet. Here is the month-by-month view.
Shanghai, month by month
Every month gets a verdict. Tap one for its own page: weather, crowds, prices and what is on.
- 01JanuaryQuiet valueCold and damp, highs near 46F (8C), little central heating in older buildingsQuiet and cheap, but the damp cold feels colder than the thermometer suggests. Chinese New Year may fall late in the month.CrowdsPrice
- 02FebruaryTradeoffsCold, highs near 50F (10C), drizzlyChinese New Year often falls now: Yu Garden's lanterns are spectacular, but travel is hard and many small businesses close for days.CrowdsPrice
- 03MarchGoodCool, highs near 57F (14C), changeableBlossoms begin in parks and gardens. The Chinese Grand Prix has recently run in spring, lifting hotel rates for that weekend.Hotels for March →CrowdsPrice
- 04AprilBestMild, highs near 68F (20C), some showersSpring at its best: comfortable walking weather and gardens in bloom. Qingming in early April brings a small domestic surge.Hotels for April →CrowdsPrice
- 05MayBestWarm, highs near 77F (25C), rising humidityWarm and pleasant, but skip the Labor Day holiday in the first days of the month, when the Bund and Yu Garden are packed.Hotels for May →CrowdsPrice
- 06JuneTradeoffsHumid, highs near 83F (28C), plum rain season begins mid-monthEarly June is fine; from mid-month the meiyu rains bring weeks of drizzle and heavy, damp air.CrowdsPrice
- 07JulyThink twiceHot and humid, highs near 91F (33C), storms, typhoon riskThe end of the plum rains gives way to fierce heat and humidity. School holidays bring crowds. The hardest month to enjoy the city.CrowdsPrice
- 08AugustTradeoffsHot and humid, highs near 90F (32C), typhoon riskStill sweltering and busy with family travel. Indoor sights and the Bund at night make it bearable.CrowdsPrice
- 09SeptemberGoodWarm, highs near 82F (28C), humidity easingEarly September is still sticky and can bring a typhoon, but late September turns pleasant. Mid-Autumn Festival often falls now.Hotels for September →CrowdsPrice
- 10OctoberBestMild and dry, highs near 73F (23C)Excellent weather once Golden Week (October 1 to 7) has passed. Hairy crab season begins, a Shanghai obsession.Hotels for October →CrowdsPrice
- 11NovemberBestCool and clear, highs near 64F (18C)Maybe the most underrated month: settled weather, plane trees turning gold in the French Concession, and thin crowds.Hotels for November →CrowdsPrice
- 12DecemberQuiet valueChilly and damp, highs near 52F (11C)Cool and gray but cheap, with festive lights along Nanjing Road and in the malls.CrowdsPrice
Book Shanghai for April.
Sponsored links to Expedia and Vrbo. We may earn a commission; it never changes a verdict.
- Hotels for April
Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in ShanghaiOpens a hotel search for Shanghai in April, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
- Rentals on Vrbo
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in ShanghaiWhole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
- Tours and tickets
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in ShanghaiTimed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Shanghai for April. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Why go to Shanghai
The most dramatic skyline in China
Standing on the Bund at night, facing the towers of Lujiazui across the Huangpu River, is one of the great urban views anywhere.
History layered on history
Art deco banks on the Bund, shikumen lane houses, colonial-era villas in the old French Concession, and a Ming-era garden sit within a few metro stops of each other.
A serious food city
Xiaolongbao soup dumplings, shengjian bao, braised pork, and fall's hairy crab. Shanghai has everything from street stalls to world-class dining rooms.
Gateway to the water towns
Canal towns like Zhujiajiao, Tongli, and Wuzhen, plus the classical gardens of Suzhou, are easy day trips by road or high-speed rail.
Things to do, and when to do them
The Bund
Walk it at dusk as the lights come on, then again early in the morning when locals practice tai chi along the river.
Yu Garden and the Old City
A classical Ming garden surrounded by a busy bazaar. Go at opening time; afternoons and holidays are packed.
Shanghai Museum
One of China's best museums for bronzes, ceramics, and calligraphy. Reserve free timed tickets online in advance.
Shanghai Tower observation deck
Among the highest observation decks in the world. Clear fall days give the longest views.
The former French Concession
Tree-lined streets, lane houses, cafes, and boutiques. Best explored on foot in spring or fall.
Shanghai Disneyland
Avoid Chinese holidays and summer weekends; weekdays in spring and fall bring the shortest lines.
Suzhou and the water towns
Suzhou's gardens are 30 minutes away by high-speed train. Go on a weekday; weekends and holidays are shoulder to shoulder.
Events and seasons worth planning around
Chinese New Year
Late January to mid February, varies by lunar calendar
Many residents leave town, so the city is quieter, but travel in and out is at its hardest and some local businesses close.
Yu Garden Lantern Festival
Around Chinese New Year through the Lantern Festival, January to March
The Old City is lit with elaborate lantern displays. Spectacular, and extremely crowded in the evenings.
Chinese Grand Prix
Spring, recently in March or April, varies by year
Formula 1 at the Shanghai International Circuit. Hotel prices jump for race weekend.
Mid-Autumn Festival
September or early October, varies by lunar calendar
Mooncakes everywhere and a public holiday. Some years it merges with Golden Week.
National Day Golden Week
October 1 to 7 every year
The Bund, Nanjing Road, and Yu Garden fill with huge domestic crowds. Water towns can be impassable.
Hairy crab season
Roughly October through December
Shanghai's favorite seasonal delicacy, from Yangcheng Lake and nearby waters. Restaurants build menus around it.
Beat the crowds
- Keep your Shanghai days out of October 1 to 7 and the early May Labor Day holiday; the Bund and Yu Garden become crowd-control operations.
- Visit Yu Garden right at opening, and the Bund early in the morning or late at night after the light show crowd thins.
- Do water towns on weekdays and pick the less famous ones; Zhujiajiao gets tour buses, smaller towns get far fewer.
- Book Shanghai Museum reservations as soon as they open; weekend slots go fast.
Open or closed
- Many museums, including the Shanghai Museum, close on Mondays. Check each one before planning.
- Around Chinese New Year, smaller restaurants and family businesses close for several days while staff travel home; hotels, malls, and major attractions stay open.
- Typhoons between July and September can suspend ferries, flights, and outdoor attractions for a day or two.
- Many attractions require advance online booking with passport details, and popular slots can sell out on weekends.
With kids in tow
- Shanghai Disneyland, the Shanghai Natural History Museum, and the Shanghai Ocean Aquarium are strong options for kids, especially on hot or rainy days.
- The metro is clean, fast, and stroller-friendly, though stations are large and involve a lot of walking.
- Summer heat is hard on young children. Spring and fall are far better for walking the Bund and the old neighborhoods.
- For homeschool families, Shanghai tells the story of China's opening to the world, from the treaty-port Bund to the modern Pudong skyline.
Getting there
- Pudong International (PVG) handles most long-haul flights; Hongqiao (SHA) handles domestic flights and connects to the high-speed rail station.
- Nonstop flights from the US operate from several major hubs, mostly on Chinese carriers and United; from Texas, most travelers connect through the West Coast or another Asian hub.
- US passport holders generally need a visa for a standard visit, though visa-free transit rules can cover short stays when continuing to a third country. Check current rules.
- The Maglev train from Pudong Airport reaches Longyang Road in about 8 minutes; the metro and taxis cover the rest.
Packing? Packing cubes and the airport kit.
Shanghai timing, quick answers
What is the best month to visit Shanghai?
November, for settled cool weather and thin crowds, or late October once Golden Week has passed. April and May are the best spring months.
What is the cheapest time to visit Shanghai?
Winter, from December through early January and outside Chinese New Year, when hotels are cheapest. Expect damp cold.
When is the rainy season in Shanghai?
The plum rains usually run from mid June into early July, followed by summer storms. Typhoons can also affect the city between July and September.
When is Shanghai most crowded?
Golden Week (October 1 to 7) and the early May Labor Day holiday bring the largest crowds. Summer weekends are busy too.
Is Shanghai too hot in summer?
July and August are hot and very humid, with highs around 90F (32C). It is manageable with an early start and indoor afternoons, but not comfortable.
Is Shanghai good to visit at Chinese New Year?
It is a mixed bag. The lanterns at Yu Garden are beautiful and the city is quieter, but travel is hard to book and some local restaurants close for several days.
Weighing alternatives
Similar trips, with their best months.
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