Shanghai January weather
Shanghai, China · January
Milder than Seoul on paper, but humid chill and weak heating make it feel sharper
January in Shanghai looks milder than Seoul if you only check the numbers, but the damp cold sinks into your bones and often feels colder than the temperature suggests.
Morning and night lows around 2-4°C and daytime highs around 8-10°C combine with relatively weak indoor heating, so both outdoors and indoors can feel chilly for long periods.
January averages at a glance
Average low
around 2-4°C
Average high
around 8-10°C
Average rainfall
around 40-60 mm
Rainy days
about 6-8 days (including drizzle and light rain)
What to wear in January in Shanghai
Actual feel will change with wind and rain, but use the suggestions below to build a comfortable layered outfit.
- • Do not underestimate the cold: a padded jacket or thick wool coat plus knitwear and a thermal inner layer is ideal.
- • Because the air is humid, 5°C in Shanghai can feel one level colder than 5°C in a dry climate—pack a scarf, gloves, and a beanie if you get cold easily.
- • Indoor heating is often weaker than in Korea, so even in cafés and restaurants you may cool down quickly; good layering with thermals and warm socks helps a lot.
Travel tips for visiting Shanghai in January
- • Plan outfits that work for both outdoors and indoors, since many places feel vaguely chilly rather than warm and cozy.
- • Along the Bund and riverfront promenades, wind can make the perceived temperature drop sharply—bring your warmest outerwear for night views.
- • Dry days can make your nose and lips feel rough, while damp days make clothes feel slow to dry; pack lip balm, hand cream, and maybe a mask.
January weather in Shanghai — FAQ
Q. How does Shanghai in January compare to Seoul winter?
A. Actual temperatures are typically 3-5°C higher than Seoul, but the damp cold and weaker heating often make it feel similar to Korean mid-winter.
Q. Is a padded jacket really necessary?
A. If you plan to enjoy night views along the river or walk a lot outdoors, a padded jacket is much more comfortable than a thin coat.
Q. Does rain make it feel much colder?
A. Yes. On rainy days, wind plus moisture can make it feel close to freezing even when the numbers are a few degrees above zero.
Authored by Jiheon Bang
Updated: 2025-12-01
Reviewed using Visual Crossing Weather data and reorganized from a traveler’s perspective.
Weather data is designed to be refreshed roughly every 10 minutes.