The month in detail
What to expect in December
In December, Shanghai sees 52°F during the day with 4.1h of sunshine per day. Rain risk remains low (13% of days), leaving good room for outdoor activities.
December ranks 10 out of 12 months in Shanghai. Compared to November: −13°F daytime, 5 pts fewer rainy days.
This month's conditions
What it's like in December
UV index
4 · moderate
protect during midday hours
Feels like
dry air
3°
Daylight
10.0h of daylight
Air quality
poor
AQI 111
Compare
Is December the right month?
The best month in Shanghai is May (8.1/10), 3.9 pts higher than December.
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 trip.
Country · China
🗣️LanguageMandarin
💶CurrencyYuan renminbi (¥)
🚗DrivingRight-hand
🛡️Safety ⓘVery safe · 1/5
💰Cost of living ⓘCheap · 2/5
🌡️ Climate
🌍Climate typeTemperate oceanic
📈Climate trend ⓘ+2.55°F/decade
🔥Hottest monthJuly · 90°F
❄️Coolest monthJanuary · 48°F
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘJune · 39%
🏖️ Beach trip
📅Peak seasonJuin → Sept
🏖️Swell (Sept–Mar) ⓘModérée
Explore
Other destinations in December
If December 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 82°F highs, 72°F 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 72°F, while afternoon highs average 82°F.
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 December?
The average UV index reaches 4 in December in Shanghai (moderate), with about 10.0h of daylight. Protect during midday hours.