The month in detail
What to expect in May
Spring marks the start of the good season in Shanghai. Temperatures rise (25°C) and tourists have not yet arrived en masse. Rain risk remains low (25% of days), leaving good room for outdoor activities.
May is the best month of the year in Shanghai. Compared to April: +5°C daytime, +0.5h of sun per day.
This month's conditions
What it's like in May
UV index
7 · high
sunscreen and hat advised
Feels like
comfortable
16°
Daylight
13.6h of daylight
Air quality
poor
AQI 65
Compare
Is May the right month?
May is actually the best month of the year in Shanghai. Good timing.
Book
Plan your trip
Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.
Stay
Hotels & rentals · Shanghai
Expedia →
Activities
Tours, tickets, experiences
See ↓
Flights
Multi-airline comparator
Kiwi →
🎟️ Activities & tours · Shanghai
GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation
Practical info
What you need to know before you go
Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a beach holiday.
Country · China
🗣️LanguageMandarin
💶CurrencyYuan renminbi (¥)
🚗DrivingRight-hand
🛡️Safety ⓘVery safe · 1/5
💰Cost of living ⓘCheap · 2/5
🌡️ Climate
🌍Climate typeTemperate oceanic
📈Climate trend ⓘ+1.42°C/decade
🔥Hottest monthJuly · 32°C
❄️Coolest monthJanuary · 9°C
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘJune · 39%
🏖️ Beach holiday
📅Peak seasonJuin → Sept
🏖️Swell (Sept–Mar) ⓘModérée
Explore
Other destinations in May
If May doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.
Location
Where is Shanghai ?
Global position + regional geographic context.
🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
ChinaTemperate oceanic climate with a 8.1 → 4.1 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
31.23°N · 121.47°E
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Shanghai?
September is the best month with 28.0°C highs, 22.0°C lows, 5.6h of sunshine and 33.0% rainy days. The months of September & May offer comparable conditions.
How many hours of sunshine does Shanghai get in September?
Shanghai averages 5.6 sunshine hours per day in September. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 7.6/10.
What is the rainiest month in Shanghai?
January is the most unfavourable month with January has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.
What are the temperatures at night in Shanghai in September?
In September, overnight lows reach 22.0°C, while afternoon highs average 28.0°C.
Is Shanghai good in winter?
In winter (December-February), Shanghai scores 4.0/10 on average — Difficult period — prefer the peak season.. The best month overall remains September with a score of 7.6/10.
When should you avoid Shanghai?
January is the most difficult month to visit Shanghai, with January has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.
Do you need sun protection in Shanghai in May?
The average UV index reaches 7 in May in Shanghai (high), with about 13.6h of daylight. Sunscreen and hat advised.