Shanghai China · 상하이
Timezone: Asia/Shanghai
Humidity 88% · Wind 7.2 m/s
Hourly forecast (today)
Date: 2025-12-06Daily forecast (up to 14 days)
What to wear
Actual feel varies with wind and rain, but the tips below should help you build a comfortable travel outfit.
Shanghai outfit guide
- • 🌡️ 5-10℃ (winter/Nov-Feb): Temperatures are above freezing but damp cold makes it feel below zero. A padded jacket or thick wool coat + knit + thermal inner + scarf and gloves are essential.
- • 🌡️ 10-18℃ (early spring/late autumn): Trench or light coat + sweatshirt or shirt is a safe combo. Strong evening winds can make it feel much colder.
- • 🌡️ 18-25℃ (spring/autumn peak): Long sleeves with a thin cardigan or windbreaker are enough. Days are warm and evenings are cool, so layering is comfortable.
- • 🌡️ 25℃+ (summer/Jun-Sep): Hot and very humid with strong sun—go for very light short sleeves, tank tops, and linen fabrics. Hat, sunglasses, and portable fan are helpful.
- • 👟 Shoes: You’ll walk a lot, and in summer sudden showers are common, so choose waterproof sneakers or sandals. In winter, damp streets mean shoes dry slowly—bring spare socks.
- • 🧳 Extras: Umbrella and light waterproof jacket (summer), heavy moisturizer and lip balm (winter), and a mask for occasional smog cover most needs.
Travel tips
- • 🚇 Shanghai’s subway network is extremely dense—once you understand it, you can reach almost anywhere. Installing a Shanghai Metro app is highly recommended.
- • 🌧 During the June-September rainy/typhoon season, indoor plans (cafés, malls, museums) should make up 30-40% of your schedule for flexibility.
- • 💳 Cards work in many places, but some restaurants only take QR payments (WeChat Pay, Alipay), so either set up a mobile payment app or keep some cash.
- • ⛅ Winter (Dec-Feb) often feels much colder than the actual temperature. Plan warm café stops between outdoor walks to manage body temperature.
- • 🚕 Ride-hailing apps like DiDi are almost essential, especially at night or during heavy rain when public transport is less convenient.
FAQ
Q. How cold is Shanghai in winter—do I really need a parka?
A. It’s damp and chilly, so it feels colder than the same temperature in a dry climate. Many locals wear padded jackets, and heating can be weak, so a warm outer layer is very helpful.
Q. How bad is the air quality? Do I need a mask?
A. It varies by day. Many days are fine, but there are occasional high-pollution alerts. If you are sensitive to air quality, bring a mask just in case.
Q. Is summer (Jul-Aug) too hard for travel?
A. It is hot, humid, and sometimes affected by typhoons, so midday outdoor activities can be tough. Focus on evenings, riverside walks, and indoor plans during the hottest hours.
Q. Do I need to carry cash?
A. Most big places take cards or QR payments, but some small shops are QR-only. If you don’t plan to use QR apps, bring at least 100-200 RMB in cash.
Q. Should I bring an umbrella from home or buy one there?
A. In the rainy/typhoon season you definitely need an umbrella, but convenience stores sell cheap ones everywhere, so buying locally is fine if you want to travel light.
Curious about month-by-month weather for this city?
📆 See monthly weather overview for ShanghaiAuthored 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.