Best Time to Visit Xuhui

Spring and autumn: the sweet spots

April is Excellent here, and so are October and November. October is our top pick. Days are mild, rain falls on only about eight days, and you can walk all afternoon without getting sticky.

In April the plane trees along Wukang Road and Fuxing Road leaf out, and the old French Concession is at its best on foot. Pop into a café on Anfu Road when a shower passes. March and May are Good, though May starts to feel warm and damp.

Autumn is just as easy. November is cooler, so it suits museum days, the West Bund art spaces along the Huangpu River, and slow walks around Xujiahui. Hairy crab season peaks in these months, and it's the dish locals will push you toward.

Summer: hot, wet and sticky

June to August all rate Poor. June is the wettest month, with 207 mm on 17 days. That's the plum rain season, a long grey spell of drizzle and downpours. July and August are the hottest, with highs of 32°C and lows of 26°C, so nights offer little relief.

Be honest with yourself about this one. If you hate heat, skip it. If you come anyway, plan indoor stops: the Shanghai Library, the big malls around Xujiahui and long lunches. Do your walking after dark, when the riverside is busier and a bit cooler. September is Fair, but it can still feel like summer early in the month.

Winter: cold, quiet and underrated

December is Good, with about 42 mm of rain, the driest month in our data. January and February are Fair, with highs of 9–10°C and grey skies. Homes here often have weak heating, so it feels colder indoors than the numbers suggest. Hotpot and warm dumplings are the answer.

Travelling on a budget? Winter is usually the cheapest time, apart from Chinese New Year, which falls in late January or February. Many small shops close for a few days, but the city empties out and feels calm.

Crowds and events

The busiest times are the Golden Week holiday at the start of October, Chinese New Year, and the summer school break in July and August. If you want October's weather without the crush, aim for mid or late October. Mid-autumn is also when families gather for the Mid-Autumn Festival and mooncakes fill every bakery. Dates shift each year, so check before you book.