Best Time to Visit Shanghai in May
Weather, crowds, costs, and events for visiting Shanghai in May
Best Time to Visit Shanghai in May
The best times to visit Shanghai are March to November for pleasant temperatures and busy, and January to February for the cheapest flights and hotels of the year. Both combine favourable conditions with better value than peak alone, and Shanghai at its most rewarding.
AT A GLANCE
April
Peak: Peak season, book ahead. Crowds run High — book 3–4 months ahead.
March to November
Pleasant temperatures, busy. Crowd level is High; high pricing.
January to February
Cheapest flights and hotels of the year. Crowd level is Low; book 2–4 weeks ahead.
Which season is best for Shanghai?
May falls in spring — here's what to expect.
Spring
Spring — Peak Sightseeing
March · April · May
Peak season
Spring is when travellers book Shanghai for peak sightseeing. Peak Sightseeing timing runs Shanghai (early April); Beijing (mid April); Guangzhou (late April). Expect 10–20°C averages with 9–10 rain days/month and high crowds — but hotel rates hit $180–$250/night and high crowds fill the main sights Mid-season sits near 15°C with 10 rain days in April.
Cherry Blossoms [Mar], Peak Sightseeing [Apr], Warm Evenings [May]
Mar 10°C, Apr 15°C, May 20°C — mixed skies (9–10 rain days)
First-timers, photographers, couples, soft hikers
April pushes rates to $180–$250/night with high crowds at headline sights. April brings 10 rain days — outdoor days get cut short without a flexible plan.
Travelling to Shanghai in Spring?
Book Shanghai's peak sightseeing for April at least 3–4 months out, then spend 2 nights in Beijing in March where mid rates and medium crowds trade a short hop for calmer spring days.
Summer
Summer — Beach Weather
June · July · August
Hot season
Summer is when travellers book Shanghai for beach weather. Beach Weather timing runs Shanghai (early July); Beijing (mid July); Guangzhou (late July). Expect 24–29°C averages with 9–12 rain days/month and high crowds — but hotel rates hit $130–$180/night and high crowds fill the main sights Mid-season sits near 28°C with 10 rain days in July.
Monsoon Breaks [Jun], Hot window [Jul], Long Evenings [Aug]
Jun 24°C, Jul 28°C, Aug 29°C — mixed skies (9–12 rain days)
Festival-goers, families, beach seekers, nightlife fans
July pushes rates to $130–$180/night with high crowds at headline sights. June brings 12 rain days — outdoor days get cut short without a flexible plan.
Travelling to Shanghai in Summer?
Book Shanghai's beach weather for July at least 2–3 months out, then spend 2 nights in Beijing in June where mid rates and medium crowds trade a short hop for calmer summer days.
Autumn
Autumn — Autumn Colours
September · October · November
Foliage season
Autumn is when travellers book Shanghai for autumn colours. Autumn Colours timing runs Shanghai (early October); Beijing (mid October); Guangzhou (late October). Expect 12–25°C averages with 5–8 rain days/month and high crowds — but hotel rates hit $130–$180/night and high crowds fill the main sights Mid-season sits near 18°C with 6 rain days in October.
Mild Walks [Sep], Foliage window [Oct], Leaf Peeping [Nov]
Sep 25°C, Oct 18°C, Nov 12°C — mostly clearer skies (5–8 rain days)
Photographers, hikers, food travellers, couples
October pushes rates to $130–$180/night with high crowds at headline sights. September brings 8 rain days — outdoor days get cut short without a flexible plan.
Travelling to Shanghai in Autumn?
Book Shanghai's autumn colours for October at least 2–3 months out, then spend 2 nights in Beijing in September where mid rates and medium crowds trade a short hop for calmer autumn days.
Winter
Winter — Holiday Lights
December · January · February
Festive season
Winter is when travellers book Shanghai for holiday lights. Holiday Lights timing runs Shanghai (early December); Beijing (mid December); Guangzhou (late December). Expect 5–7°C averages with 5–7 rain days/month and medium crowds — and yet shoulder gaps still leave medium footfall on peak weekends Mid-season sits near 7°C with 5 rain days in December.
Festive window [Dec], Quiet Streets [Jan], Quiet Streets [Feb]
Dec 7°C, Jan 5°C, Feb 6°C — mostly clearer skies (5–7 rain days)
Skiers, budget travellers, museum lovers, festive shoppers
December pushes rates to $90–$130/night with medium crowds at headline sights. February brings 7 rain days — outdoor days get cut short without a flexible plan.
Travelling to Shanghai in Winter?
Book Shanghai's holiday lights for December at least 4–6 weeks out, then spend 2 nights in Beijing in December where mid rates and medium crowds trade a short hop for calmer winter days.
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Which month is best for Shanghai?
| Month | Avg Temp | Rain Days | Crowds | Cost | Overall | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 5°C | 6 | Low | $ Budget | ★★ Okay | Quiet budget travel |
| February | 6°C | 7 | Low | $ Budget | ★★ Okay | Quiet budget travel |
| March | 10°C | 9 | Medium | $$ Mid | ★★★ Great | Cherry blossom viewing |
| April | 15°C | 10 | High | $$$$ Peak | ★★★ Great | Peak sightseeing |
| May | 20°C | 10 | High | $$$ High | ★★★ Great | Warm outdoor days |
| June | 24°C | 12 | Medium | $$ Mid | ★★ Okay | Indoor culture days |
| July | 28°C | 10 | High | $$$ High | ★★ Okay | Warm outdoor days |
| August | 29°C | 9 | High | $$$ High | ★★ Okay | Warm evening outings |
| September | 25°C | 8 | Medium | $$ Mid | ★★★ Great | Mild city walking |
| October | 18°C | 6 | High | $$$ High | ★★★ Great | Autumn leaf peeping |
| November | 12°C | 5 | High | $$$ High | ★★★ Great | Koyo leaf peeping |
| December | 7°C | 5 | Medium | $$ Mid | ★★ Okay | Festive city lights |
Temperatures shown as Shanghai monthly averages.
When is Shanghai Cheapest to Visit?
Timing your trip right can save 25 to 40 percent on flights and hotels. Green months are cheapest, red months are most expensive.
Cheapest window
January–February. Save about 25–40% versus $$$$ Peak April; hotels track the same flight discounts in this $ Budget window, so flight and stay costs move together.
Book early regardless
April sell out entirely when crowds hit High and pricing hits $$$$ Peak — book accommodation 3–4 months ahead regardless of budget, not only flights.
Best value sweet spot
March and September: great weather on this page (~10°C, 9 rain days) at $$ Mid pricing; Medium crowds still keep it from matching April’s sell-out rush.
Cheapest months to visit Shanghai
January–February is the cheapest stretch to visit Shanghai. $ Budget months on this page typically cut flights about 25–35% versus $$$$ Peak, with hotel rates moving in step rather than lagging. Averages sit near 5°C with roughly 6 rain days, so packing stays simple if you accept cooler or wetter days. The exception: festival or holiday spikes inside an otherwise cheap month can briefly push stays toward $$ Mid even when the band still reads $ Budget.
Most expensive months to visit Shanghai
April are the most expensive months to visit Shanghai. $$$$ Peak and $$$ High rows align with High or Very High crowds and the 3–4 months booking lead already shown for sell-outs. Expect the 25–40% saving story to reverse here — you pay the premium the chart paints in red. Weather can still look strong (15°C, 10 rain days in April), which is why demand sticks. The exception: a shoulder week just outside the core peak label sometimes dips to $$$ High instead of full $$$$ Peak if you flex.
Best value months to visit Shanghai
March and September offer the best value months to visit Shanghai. Great-rated weather pairs with $$ Mid instead of $$$$ Peak, so you keep comfort without the full 25–40% penalty of peak pricing. March averages about 10°C with 9 rain days and Medium crowds — busy enough for open attractions, not yet April-style sell-outs. The exception: once a “value” month overlaps a major holiday cluster, lead times jump back toward 3–4 months even if the cost word has not flipped to $$$$ Peak.
Best Time to Visit Shanghai For…
January and February. Flights are typically 25–35% cheaper than peak season — base in Shanghai and keep trips flexible inside that budget window.
January and February. Crowd level stays Low with about 5°C averages — base in Shanghai for quieter streets and easier bookings.
March and April and November. Expect around 10°C with a great rating — base in Shanghai for the most comfortable sightseeing days.
March and April or November. March and April maximises iconic weather in Shanghai but draws higher crowds and peak pricing; November trades that rush for calmer streets and still-strong ratings.
September and October. Base in Beijing for crisp Wall hikes once summer heat and peak crowds ease.
January and February. Base in Guangzhou or Shenzhen for mild winter city days when the north is freezing.
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Best Time to Visit Each City in China
Timing varies across China's main cities. Here is when each is at its best.
Shanghai Travel Essentials
- Currency & cards
- Chinese yuan (CNY / RMB). Mobile pay dominates cities; international cards work unevenly — carry some cash as backup.
- Connectivity
- Local SIM or eSIM helps with maps and payments. Plan for app access; hotel Wi‑Fi is common in major cities.
- Domestic transport
- Metros cover big cities; high-speed rail links hubs. Use official ticketing apps or station counters for intercity trains.
- Etiquette & logistics
- Keep passport details handy for hotels and long-distance tickets. Queue patiently at security and station gates.
- Visa / entry
- Confirm entry rules on China’s official visa service site for your nationality before you travel. Official source
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Shanghai Travel Timing — FAQ
Everything you need to know about timing your Shanghai trip
Most travellers cover Shanghai's core highlights in a short city break, then add nights only if you want day trips beyond the centre. Anchor those days in the March–November window shown here so weather and pacing stay aligned.
Everything You Need to Plan Your China Trip
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How we work this out
Temperature and rainfall figures are 30-year meteorological averages. Crowd levels come from national tourism arrival data. Price bands reflect mid-range accommodation and economy flights from major long-haul cities, sampled quarterly.
Last updated 18 July 2026 · Written by the Holicay travel team