Puxi Weather in June

June: sticky and showery

June feels warm, damp and often cloudy in Puxi. Highs reach 29°C, and humidity sits around 81%. Rain falls on 17 days, so showers can interrupt a walk through the Former French Concession or along the Bund. The long daylight helps, but sunshine averages just 3.2 hours a day.

May is drier, while July is hotter. June's rainy spell, known as meiyu or "plum rain," can bring grey skies and lingering dampness. Outdoor sightseeing still works between showers, but save long walks and outdoor meals for clearer spells. On wet afternoons, duck into the Shanghai Museum or browse the shops on Nanjing Road. Skip planning a full day around exposed riverfront views.

Festivals and crowds

The Shanghai International Film Festival usually takes place in June, with screenings around the city. The Dragon Boat Festival also falls in June some years; its date changes, and you may spot rice dumplings called zongzi in local shops.

June is generally less crowded than the July and August summer-holiday rush, though festival screenings can fill popular sessions. It's not the cheapest month for every hotel, but you may find better value than during peak summer travel.

If you hate crowds, choose a weekday for the Bund and save popular film screenings for less-busy times.

A local rainy-day tip

Use the Shanghai Metro to cut across Puxi when the rain sets in. Line 2 links People's Square with Nanjing East Road, so you can switch from the Shanghai Museum to the Bund without a long, wet walk.

For a cosy meal, look for shengjian, pan-fried pork buns, around Huanghe Road near People's Square. They're best eaten hot, and a rainy June afternoon is a good excuse to take your time indoors.