SeasonScore
Shanghai, China
Photo: Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0

China

Shanghai in January

🧥 Winter

Cold and some showers. Watch for hazy air.

🎒 Pack: warm jacket for evenings · N95 mask for hazy days

Best months: May (8.4), Nov (8.3), Oct (8.2)

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Why January scores 6.7What goes into the score

How it works
🌡️ 9° / 3°C🌧️ 72 mm💧 dew pt 2°🍃 PM2.5 99
  • Weather comfort7.3
    • !Cold (9°C highs / 3°C lows)
    • ✓Comfortable humidity (dew point 1.9°C)
    • ✓Mostly dry (~72 mm rain)
  • Air quality1.5
    • !Unhealthy (PM2.5 ~99 µg/m³)
  • Seasonal hazards10.0
    • ·No notable seasonal hazards
  • Safety baseline7.5
    • ·Increased caution
Compare monthsPut January side by side with another month
JanMay
Score6.7 Good8.4 Very good
Season🧥 Winter🌷 Spring
High / low9° / 3°26° / 18°
Rain72 mm91 mm
Humiditydew pt 2°dew pt 16°
PM2.599 µg/m³38 µg/m³

Typical-month data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis) 2015–2024 (modelled, not a forecast). Temperatures: Shanghai weather-station normals. Rainfall: Shanghai weather-station normals (national met service).

Holidays & crowdsJanuary 2027

Long weekend

There's at least one long weekend. Domestic travel picks up and popular spots get busier over those days.

  • New Year 1–3 Jan · 3 days off in a row

National holidays only; regional holidays and school breaks aren't included. Source: holidays (open-source public-holiday calendar).

Nature calendarBlossoms, leaves & seasons in Shanghai

  • Snowy daysIn JanuaryTypical dates
    Snow likely Jan–Feb (most in Jan: ~2 days)

    Average number of days with snowfall at Shanghai.

    Source: Shanghai weather-station normals (national weather service, via Wikipedia climate table)

Explore ShanghaiEvents, sights, food & souvenirs

Check event dates locally

China's largest city on the Huangpu River, known for the colonial-era Bund, the Pudong skyline, shikumen lane houses and a strong food culture.

Events in January
Chinese New YearDate variesLunar calendar — late January to mid-February, date moves each year

The most important family holiday, with temple visits and decorations.

Why go: Transport and hotels are very busy; some small businesses close.

Where: Citywide

Coming up later

Lantern FestivalDate varies15th day of the first lunar month — February or early March

Lantern displays mark the end of New Year celebrations.

Why go: Yu Garden is extremely crowded.

Where: Yu Garden and temples

Shanghai International Film FestivalDate variesUsually June

One of Asia's major film festivals.

Why go: Tickets sell quickly.

Where: Cinemas across the city

Mid-Autumn FestivalDate varies15th day of the 8th lunar month — September or early October

Families share mooncakes and view the full moon.

Why go: A public holiday; often near the October Golden Week holiday.

Where: Citywide

Plan this tripTickets, data and transfers for Shanghai

Airport transfer Kiwitaxi

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