Shanghai’s Bund waterfront at twilight, with the domed former HSBC building and Customs House clock tower
China · Destination guide
Shanghai, China
CurrencyChinese yuan (CNY / RMB)
Plug typesA, I · 230 VCheck adapter →
Time zoneAsia/Shanghai (UTC+8)
Emergency number110 (police); 119 (fire); 120 (ambulance)
Destination guide

A first look at Shanghai

Group Yu Garden and its surrounding bazaar with a separate Bund walk on one day. Save Wukang Road for another outing, and choose People’s Square for its current special exhibition or the East branch for the museum’s permanent displays.

Explore our Shanghai guides

Weather guide

Weather in Shanghai

Shanghai has cool, damp winters and hot, humid summers. Spring and autumn suit longer neighbourhood walks; rain protection remains useful throughout the year, and summer outings need shaded breaks.

20–24°C

Mild days and cooler evenings

October · representative month, not a forecast
Evenings
13–17°C
Rain
Showers possible
Daylight
Plan outdoor stops in daylight
See weather details →

What this means for packing

October works well with light layers and a jacket for the river after dark. Choose walking shoes for Wukang Road and add or remove the sweater as the day warms up.

Choosing a season

The best-season badge suggests months for general sightseeing, using the typical daytime temperatures and rainfall in our monthly guides. Beach holidays, festivals, winter sports and northern lights trips may suit different dates.

Climate methodology

Broad planning bands rounded to around 2°C either side of WMO/CMA Shanghai Hongqiao’s October mean daily maximum (22.3°C) and minimum (14.7°C). Published mean precipitation is 61 mm. This is the older 1961–1990 baseline, not a current forecast or a temperature limit; recent conditions may differ. Check your travel forecast.

Reviewed 2026-10-21

WMO / China Meteorological Administration — Shanghai Hongqiao 1961–1990 climate · Shanghai Welcome — seasonal trip planning

About the climate in Shanghai

Shanghai has cool, damp winters and hot, humid summers. Spring and autumn suit longer neighbourhood walks; rain protection remains useful throughout the year, and summer outings need shaded breaks.

Packing guide

What to wear in Shanghai in March.

An example packing list for Shanghai in March

Use this as a starting point and choose what suits your plans. Packtricia tailors your list and quantities to your trip length, weather and preferences.

Clothing

  • Underwear
  • Bras (if worn)
  • Socks
  • Sleepwear
  • Long-sleeved tops
  • Sweater
  • Midweight jacket
  • Long trousers
  • Comfortable walking shoes

Toiletries

  • Toothbrush
  • Toothpaste
  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
  • Body wash or soap
  • Deodorant
  • Skincare products
  • Sunscreen
  • Hairbrush or comb
  • Shaving supplies (if used)
  • Menstrual products (if needed)
  • Contact lens solution (if used)

Essentials

  • Passport used for reservations
  • Travel tickets and booking confirmations
  • Wallet and payment cards
  • Phone
  • Charging cable and charger
  • Travel adapter (if needed)
  • Medication (if needed)
  • Glasses or contact lenses (if used)
  • Refillable water bottle
  • Small day bag
  • Compact umbrella
  • Saved Chinese destination names
Monthly weather and packing notes

March calls for a midweight jacket and a sweater under it. Wukang Road can feel mild while you walk, then cooler when you sit for coffee or pause beside the river.

Daytime
11–15°C
Evenings
3–7°C
Rain
Showers possible
Daylight
Plan outdoor stops in daylight
Packing style
Flexible layers and rain protection

Broad planning bands rounded to around 2°C either side of WMO/CMA Shanghai Hongqiao’s March mean daily maximum (12.7°C) and minimum (5.1°C). Published mean precipitation is 81 mm. This is the older 1961–1990 baseline, not a current forecast or a temperature limit; recent conditions may differ. Check your travel forecast.

Outfit ideas for your outings

A March Bund walk

  • Long-sleeved tops
  • Midweight jacket
  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Small day bag

Yu Garden paths and a dumpling stop

  • Comfortable layered outfit
  • Walking shoes with grip
  • Compact umbrella

Wukang Road cafés or a museum visit

  • Long-sleeved tops
  • Sweater
  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Saved reservation and original passport (if required)

What to leave behind

  • Only thin summer outfits: cool mornings and river breezes call for layers.
  • A large sightseeing suitcase: take a manageable day bag for garden paths and museum security.

Reviewed 2026-10-21

WMO / China Meteorological Administration — Shanghai Hongqiao 1961–1990 climate · Shanghai Welcome — seasonal trip planning

Transport guide

Getting around Shanghai

Use Suishenxing (SH MaaS) for city transport information and its separately activated fare functions. Metro Daduhui is another metro QR-code payment option. For independent English rail planning on iPhone, Explore Shanghai provides an offline map; planning a route does not buy a ticket.

Check the operator’s current service notices and ticket instructions before travelling.

Practical essentials

Language and calling code

Language
Mandarin Chinese
Calling code
+86
Useful essentials for Shanghai
  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Compact umbrella
  • Season-appropriate layers
  • Small day bag
  • Passport used for reservations
  • Saved Chinese destination names
  • Phone charger
  • Travel adapter (if needed)

Do you need a visa?

Check travel-document and visa requirements for your passport, destination and transit stops.

Check your requirements on TravelDoc

Use the checker as a starting point, then confirm requirements with the relevant government or embassy before travelling.

Things to do in Shanghai

Find a guided walk or an attraction visit to fit around your plans in Shanghai.

Stay connected

Mobile data for your trip. Check what your current plan includes for roaming. If you need another option for maps, messages and booking details, compare NXTL eSIM coverage and rates. Check that your phone supports eSIM and is unlocked, and check coverage for every stop. Download important maps and confirmations for offline use too.

Photo: Leon Wang / Pexels