Shanghai in April: a seasonal travel plan
Shanghai, China. In april, the average daytime high is 20.9 °C and the night-time low is 11.7 °C. Daytime suits a longer city route; keep a break and some flexible time around midday.
Choose a month
Selected month: April
Temperatures by month
Air temperature: Shanghai
Contents
Weather at a glance
- Daytime high
- 20.9 °C
- Nighttime low
- 11.7 °C
- Monthly precipitation
- 109.9 mm
- Days with at least 1 mm
- 11.4
- Daylight
- 12.9 h
2015–2024 averages. Daytime temperature is the average daily maximum; nighttime temperature is the average daily minimum.
Early, middle and late month
| Period | Daytime high, °C | Nighttime low, °C | Days with at least 1 mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Days 1–10 | 19.2 | 9.8 | 3.6 |
| Days 11–20 | 21.1 | 11.7 | 3.8 |
| From day 21 | 22.5 | 13.5 | 4.0 |
What this month is like
Shanghai, China. In april, the average daytime high is 20.9 °C and the night-time low is 11.7 °C. Daytime suits a longer city route; keep a break and some flexible time around midday.
There are 11.4 wet days on average, with about 109.9 mm of precipitation. Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag.
How to plan the day
Daytime suits a longer city route; keep a break and some flexible time around midday.
Average daylight is 12.9 hours, so put longer routes in the brighter part of the day.
What to pack
Pack light clothes, comfortable shoes and an extra layer for the evening. Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag.
Precipitation and an alternative plan
There are several days with precipitation during the month. A light waterproof layer can help you continue your route outdoors.
What to pack
Bring light daytime clothes, comfortable shoes and an extra layer for cooler hours. A compact rain jacket takes little room in a day bag.
Compared with neighbouring months
Average daytime high: previous month — 15.7 °C, April — 20.9 °C, next month — 25.5 °C. Days with at least 1 mm of precipitation: 12.3, 11.4 and 12.4.
Things to do
Shanghai is split by the Huangpu River into historic Puxi and the towers of Pudong, and the contrast is the main attraction. The Bund, the plane-tree streets of the Former French Concession and Yu Garden lie in different quarters, yet the metro links them in a few stops.
The Bund and the river
Walk the Bund from Waibaidu Bridge south, watching the Pudong towers across the water. In the evening take a short river ferry or sightseeing boat to see the illuminated skyline from the water.
Former French Concession
Follow Wukang Road and the lanes around it, where plane trees shade the pavements and old houses hold cafés and galleries. Tianzifang nearby is a maze of small workshops. Weekday mornings are quietest.
Yu Garden
The classical garden, with ponds, pavilions and rockeries, takes a few hours. The exit leads to the busy market by the City God Temple, where Shanghai snacks are sold. Allow time for the teahouse beside the pond.
Where to stay
Former French Concession
The Former French Concession suits walkers who like plane trees, cafés and small museums. It is quiet, but the Bund is a metro or taxi ride away. The Fuxing Park and the snack market are nearby.
Jing'an
Jing'an works as a base: Jing'an Temple, shopping centres and a crossing of two metro lines are close. Streets are busy, yet most places are one ride away. One metro line reaches the Bund and Pudong.
Pudong
Pudong, with the Lujiazui towers, gives panoramas and business hotels but less street life. Stay here for the view and the maglev link to the airport. Taxis are easy to find at the towers.
Getting to and around Shanghai
Pudong and Hongqiao airports connect to the city by metro: line 2 runs through the centre, and the maglev covers the stretch from Pudong to Longyang Road. Inside the city the metro is the main transport: cheap, fast and covering every district. The Bund and the centre are walkable, though distances between quarters are long.
Three days in Shanghai
The Bund and Pudong
Start on the Bund, walk past the old banks and cross by river ferry to Pudong. Go up one of the Lujiazui towers, then return to the Bund for the evening lights.
Former French Concession
Walk from Wukang Road through the lanes to Tianzifang, stopping in cafés and galleries. After lunch see the Xintiandi quarter and finish in Fuxing Park. On the way look into Fuxing Park and the snack market.
Garden and old town
See Yu Garden and the market by the City God Temple in the morning, then walk to the waterfront. In the afternoon visit the Shanghai Museum for bronzes and ceramics.
Weather throughout the year
| Month | Daytime high, °C | Nighttime low, °C | Precipitation, mm | Days with at least 1 mm | Daylight, h |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 9.4 | 1.9 | 70.1 | 9.7 | 10.4 |
| February | 10.7 | 2.6 | 82.9 | 9.9 | 11.1 |
| March | 15.7 | 6.8 | 104.3 | 12.3 | 12.0 |
| April | 20.9 | 11.7 | 109.9 | 11.4 | 12.9 |
| May | 25.5 | 16.8 | 126.5 | 12.4 | 13.7 |
| June | 28.6 | 21.6 | 243.4 | 18.9 | 14.1 |
| July | 31.9 | 25.9 | 202.9 | 19.0 | 14.0 |
| August | 32.6 | 26.3 | 162.8 | 16.6 | 13.3 |
| September | 28.7 | 22.4 | 204.5 | 13.4 | 12.4 |
| October | 23.4 | 16.3 | 96.4 | 9.9 | 11.4 |
| November | 18.3 | 10.6 | 96.3 | 11.5 | 10.6 |
| December | 11.2 | 3.5 | 48.8 | 7.5 | 10.2 |
Frequently asked questions
Shanghai: what is the temperature in April?
The average daytime high is 20.9 °C and the night-time low is 11.7 °C. Daytime is suitable for a longer walk around the city. Leave time for breaks and lunch along the way.
How many days with precipitation are there in April?
On average, there are 11.4 days with at least 1 mm of precipitation; the monthly total is 109.9 mm. There are several days with precipitation during the month. A light waterproof layer can help you continue your route outdoors.
What should I pack for walks in April?
Bring light daytime clothes, comfortable shoes and an extra layer for cooler hours. A compact rain jacket takes little room in a day bag.
How does the weather change from the start to the end of the month?
Average daytime highs by part of the month: 1–10 — 19.2 °C; 11–20 — 21.1 °C; 21 to month-end — 22.5 °C.
How many daylight hours are there in April?
The average is 12.9 hours. Spread walks between the morning and afternoon, then leave the evening for dinner or indoor activities.
Is Shanghai worth visiting in April?
The climate suits a trip if daytime temperatures around 20.9 °C and nights around 11.7 °C work for you. Daytime suits a longer city route; keep a break and some flexible time around midday.
What can I do in Shanghai on a wet day in April?
Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag. Keep a museum, market, café or another indoor route near your accommodation.
What should I pack for Shanghai in April?
Pack light clothes, comfortable shoes and an extra layer for the evening. Average daylight is 12.9 hours.