Best Time to Visit Puxi

Spring and autumn: the sweet spots

April is the first month that really feels good. Days are mild, around 21°C, and the plane trees along the Former French Concession start to leaf out. It rains often enough that you'll want an umbrella, but it's usually light. May is warmer and still pleasant, with mild evenings that suit a walk along the Bund or the West Bund waterfront.

October is our top pick. It's the driest of the comfortable months, with rain on only 8 days, and afternoons sit around 24°C. November is also rated Excellent and is a bit cooler, which is good for museum-hopping and long lunches of xiaolongbao (soup dumplings). Late October and early November are when the ginkgo trees turn yellow on streets in the old French area.

Summer: hot, wet and sticky

June starts the plum rain season, called meiyu. It's the wettest month in the data at 207 mm, with rain on 17 days and very little sun. July and August are hotter, with highs of 32°C and lows of 26°C. Both are tied on temperature, so nights give you no relief. Expect sticky afternoons and sudden downpours.

Still, you can do it. Plan indoor stops like the Shanghai Museum on People's Square, then head out in the evening. August has more sun than June, but it's also peak domestic holiday time. September stays warm and wet at first, then improves, and typhoon remnants can bring heavy rain.

Winter: cold, grey and quiet

December to February is chilly and damp. Highs are around 9 to 11°C and lows near freezing in January. Buildings often feel cold inside, since many older ones have little heating. December is the driest month of the year, with rain on 7 days, so it's a decent choice if you don't mind a chill.

If you hate crowds, winter is your friend. Hotels are cheaper and the Yu Garden area is calmer, though it gets busy around Lunar New Year, usually in late January or February. Many locals travel then, and some small restaurants close for a week or more. The Yu Garden lantern festival is a highlight if you're there.

Crowds and big dates

The busiest times are the Lunar New Year week, the May Day break in early May, and National Day Golden Week, which starts on 1 October. That means our best month has a crowded first week. Aim for mid to late October. Travelling with kids? Summer school holidays, July and August, bring families to the Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park and the Bund.