Shanghai in January: a seasonal travel plan
Shanghai, China. In january, the average daytime high is 9.4 °C and the night-time low is 1.9 °C. Plan longer walks for the middle of the day and alternate them with indoor stops.
Choose a month
Selected month: January
Temperatures by month
Air temperature: Shanghai
Contents
Weather at a glance
- Daytime high
- 9.4 °C
- Nighttime low
- 1.9 °C
- Monthly precipitation
- 70.1 mm
- Days with at least 1 mm
- 9.7
- Daylight
- 10.4 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 | 10.3 | 2.8 | 3.3 |
| Days 11–20 | 9.5 | 1.7 | 2.4 |
| From day 21 | 8.4 | 1.2 | 4.0 |
What this month is like
Shanghai, China. In january, the average daytime high is 9.4 °C and the night-time low is 1.9 °C. Plan longer walks for the middle of the day and alternate them with indoor stops.
There are 9.7 wet days on average, with about 70.1 mm of precipitation. Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag.
How to plan the day
Plan longer walks for the middle of the day and alternate them with indoor stops.
Average daylight is 10.4 hours, so put longer routes in the brighter part of the day.
What to pack
Pack a warm coat, several layers, a hat and non-slip shoes. 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
A warm coat, closed shoes, a scarf and several clothing layers will be useful. A compact rain jacket takes little room in a day bag.
Compared with neighbouring months
Average daytime high: previous month — 11.2 °C, January — 9.4 °C, next month — 10.7 °C. Days with at least 1 mm of precipitation: 7.5, 9.7 and 9.9.
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 January?
The average daytime high is 9.4 °C and the night-time low is 1.9 °C. Plan longer walks for the middle of the day and indoor activities for mornings and evenings.
How many days with precipitation are there in January?
On average, there are 9.7 days with at least 1 mm of precipitation; the monthly total is 70.1 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 January?
A warm coat, closed shoes, a scarf and several clothing layers will be useful. 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 — 10.3 °C; 11–20 — 9.5 °C; 21 to month-end — 8.4 °C.
How many daylight hours are there in January?
The average is 10.4 hours. Spread walks between the morning and afternoon, then leave the evening for dinner or indoor activities.
Is Shanghai worth visiting in January?
The climate suits a trip if daytime temperatures around 9.4 °C and nights around 1.9 °C work for you. Plan longer walks for the middle of the day and alternate them with indoor stops.
What can I do in Shanghai on a wet day in January?
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 January?
Pack a warm coat, several layers, a hat and non-slip shoes. Average daylight is 10.4 hours.