Pudong Weather in July

July: hot and sticky

Pudong in July feels hot, humid and often damp. The high reaches 32°C, tied with August for the year's hottest, while nights stay warm. Rain falls on 18 days, and the humidity can make a walk around Lujiazui feel tiring.

You'll still get bright spells, but showers can interrupt outdoor plans. Keep the Shanghai Tower observation deck or the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum in mind for a cooler break. Avoid long walks along the riverside at the hottest part of the day; the Bund and Lujiazui are more pleasant after sunset.

Summer crowds

July is summer holiday time for Chinese schools, so family attractions and popular sights can be busy. It's a lively travel period, and rooms and flights can cost more than in quieter months. June is wetter, but July is still rainy; August is just as hot and a little less wet. October is a better choice if you want milder sightseeing weather.

If you hate crowds, skip the busiest hours at the Shanghai Tower and take a quieter break in Century Park instead.

What to plan around

There isn't a major nationwide public holiday in July, but school break brings more local families to Pudong's museums, malls and indoor attractions. Rain can arrive in short, heavy bursts, so leave some flexibility in your day.

A handy local tip: use the metro link between Lujiazui station and the area's underground shopping walkways when the rain starts. You can reach malls and nearby sights without staying out in a downpour. Afterward, try xiaolongbao, soup-filled dumplings sold at restaurants across Shanghai.