Pudong Weather in January

January weather in Pudong

January feels properly wintry: afternoons are cool, and mornings near the Huangpu River can feel raw. The high is 9°C and the low is 1°C. Rain falls on about nine days, so expect some grey, damp spells rather than steady sunshine.

It's a good month for indoor stops, including the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum and the shops at Super Brand Mall. On a clear day, the riverside promenade at Lujiazui still works for a walk, but cold wind can make lingering outside less pleasant. Save long outdoor visits for brighter spells, and don't count on a warm beach day.

January events and holidays

New Year's Day brings a public holiday, though it's a short break compared with the Lunar New Year holiday. Lunar New Year moves between January and February, so it sometimes lands in January. If it does, expect more domestic travel and some smaller shops and restaurants to close.

Travelling with kids? The Shanghai Ocean Aquarium in Lujiazui is a handy indoor option on a cold or rainy day.

Crowds and local tips

January is generally quieter and cheaper than October, Pudong's best-rated month. Hotels often cost less than in the autumn, but prices and transport demand can rise around New Year's Day or Lunar New Year. If you hate crowds, avoid travelling during the Lunar New Year rush.

For a useful warm-up, take Metro Line 2 to Lujiazui and duck into the underground walkway linking the station with the Oriental Pearl Tower area. It keeps you out of the wind while you move between sights. Check the walkway's exits carefully; the towers and malls can look close together above ground, but the crossings are busy.