01Weather
Shanghai weather in January
Afternoons in January average 9.8 °C (50 °F) and nights cool to 3.2 °C (38 °F). The month brings about 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain spread over roughly 11 days. Compared with December it is 2.3 °C cooler; February is 1.5 °C warmer again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical January | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 15 °C / 59 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | 5 °C / 41 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | -2 °C / 28 °F | one night in ten is colder than this |
| Days above 30 °C (86 °F) | 0.0 | per month, average 2016–2025 |
| Nights at or below 0 °C (32 °F) | 7.6 | frost mornings per month |
| Chance of rain on any given day | 36 % | at least 1 mm |
| Hottest / coldest January day 2016–2025 | 24.0 °C / -7.0 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 January | 06:52 | 17:02 | 10.2 h |
| 15 January | 06:53 | 17:13 | 10.3 h |
| 31 January | 06:46 | 17:28 | 10.7 h |
Daylight grows by about 30 minutes over the month. Times are local (Asia/Shanghai).
03Crowds
How busy Shanghai is in January
quiet The main sights are quiet in January. What drives it:
- cold, damp winter
- Spring Festival in late January or February
04Public holidays
Public holidays in January 2027
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
On public holidays many shops close and museums run on Sunday hours; check opening times for the day before and after as well.
05Events
What's on in Shanghai in January
Every year in January
| Event | When | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) | late January or February, week-long holiday | holiday |
07Packing
What to pack for Shanghai in January
- a winter coat, gloves and a hat
- thermal layer for early mornings
- waterproof shoes
- a compact umbrella or hooded rain jacket, rain falls on roughly one day in three
- gloves: frost on about 8 mornings
08Editor's notes
What the numbers don't tell you
January is cold and damp, with afternoons around 8 °C and a chill that feels worse than the thermometer suggests because indoor heating in older buildings is modest. Spring Festival may fall in the final week, closing shops and sending residents home, with the city unusually quiet and the Yu Garden lantern displays beginning. Outside that week it is the cheapest month, and the museums and French Concession cafés are quiet.
Rain falls on about nine days, as cold drizzle. Snow is rare and melts quickly. The Bund is at its clearest in the dry winter air, and the Shanghai Tower deck has its best visibility. New Year's Day is a holiday. Daylight runs from about seven to five. For the Spring Festival and the Lantern Festival, see February.
09Compare
Shanghai month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun h | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 10 °C | 3 °C | 11 | – | quiet | Mixed |
| February | 11 °C | 4 °C | 12 | – | moderate | Good |
| March | 17 °C | 8 °C | 12 | – | moderate | Good |
| April | 22 °C | 14 °C | 11 | – | busy | Good |
| May | 26 °C | 18 °C | 10 | – | very busy | Good |
| June | 29 °C | 22 °C | 15 | – | moderate | Good |
| July | 34 °C | 27 °C | 13 | – | moderate | Good |
| August | 34 °C | 27 °C | 14 | – | busy | Mixed |
| September | 30 °C | 23 °C | 12 | – | busy | Good |
| October | 24 °C | 17 °C | 8 | – | very busy | Good |
| November | 19 °C | 12 °C | 10 | – | busy | Good |
| December | 12 °C | 5 °C | 8 | – | moderate | Good |
Not sure about January? See the best time to visit Shanghai.
10Elsewhere
January in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| Seoul in January | 3 °C | – |
| Beijing in January | 4 °C | 0 |
| Kyoto in January | 10 °C | 6 |
| Tokyo in January | 10 °C | 4 |
| Bangkok in January | 33 °C | – |
| Singapore in January | 30 °C | 11 |
11FAQ
Shanghai in January: your questions
Is January a good time to visit Shanghai?
January is a reasonable month with trade-offs to visit Shanghai. Daytime highs average 10 °C (50 °F), rain falls on about 11 days, and hotel arrivals run above the yearly average, so the main sights are quiet.
What is the weather like in Shanghai in January?
Expect cold days around 10 °C (50 °F) and nights near 3 °C (38 °F). One January in ten brings afternoons above 15 °C, and one in ten stays below 5 °C.
Does it rain a lot in Shanghai in January?
January brings about 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain over roughly 11 days, which is showery by Shanghai standards. On any given day the chance of at least 1 mm of rain is 36 percent.
What should I wear in Shanghai in January?
Pack a winter coat, gloves and a hat, thermal layer for early mornings, waterproof shoes.
Is Shanghai crowded in January?
The main sights are quiet in January. Main drivers: cold, damp winter; Spring Festival in late January or February.
What time does it get dark in Shanghai in January?
Around the middle of January the sun sets at about 17:13 and rises at 06:53, giving 10.3 hours of daylight.