Best Time to Visit Fengxiang

Spring and autumn: the sweet spots

April is the first month the data rates Excellent. Days are mild, with highs around 21°C, and the nights are cool. March is Good but still chilly, so it suits you if you don't mind a jacket. By May it's warmer and a bit damper, though still pleasant for walking.

Autumn is even better. October is our top pick, with the fewest rainy days of the year outside winter. November is also rated Excellent, and the air turns crisp. Both months suit a city break around Shanghai, from strolls along the Bund to long lunches of xiaolongbao (soup dumplings).

Fengxiang is in Shanghai, so expect the crowds to match. Chinese national holidays bring the biggest rush. Golden Week, the first week of October, is the busiest stretch of the whole year. If you hate crowds, aim for late October or November instead.

Summer: hot, wet and sticky

June starts with the plum rain season, called meiyu. It's the wettest month here, with rain on 17 days and very little sun. July and August are hotter, with lows of 26°C, so nights barely cool down. Afternoons feel heavy, and it's often thundery.

All three summer months are rated Poor. That said, August has the most sunshine of the year. If you come then, plan indoor stops like museums and malls, and save outdoor walks for the evening. Chinese school holidays run through July and August, so attractions fill with families. Travelling with kids? You'll fit right in, but it's busy.

September is still warm and showery, rated Fair. It improves a lot toward the end of the month. The Mid-Autumn Festival usually lands in September or early October, and mooncakes appear in every bakery.

Winter: cold, grey and quiet

December through February is cold and damp, with highs from 9°C to 11°C. Shanghai homes often lack strong heating, so indoor days can feel chillier than you'd expect. Skies are often grey, and there's less sun than in summer.

December is the driest month of the year, and it's rated Good. January and February are Fair. If you want cheaper stays and short queues, winter is your window. Chinese New Year falls in late January or February. Many shops close for a few days, but the city feels festive, and temple fairs pop up around town.