01Weather
Shanghai weather in March
Afternoons in March average 16.8 °C (62 °F) and nights cool to 8.5 °C (47 °F). The month brings about 102 mm (4.0 in) of rain spread over roughly 12 days. Compared with February it is 5.5 °C warmer; April is 5.5 °C warmer again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical March | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 25 °C / 77 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | 11 °C / 52 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | 4 °C / 39 °F | one night in ten is colder than this |
| Days above 30 °C (86 °F) | 0.3 | per month, average 2016–2025 |
| Nights at or below 0 °C (32 °F) | 0.3 | frost mornings per month |
| Chance of rain on any given day | 39 % | at least 1 mm |
| Hottest / coldest March day 2016–2025 | 32.0 °C / 0.0 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 March | 06:20 | 17:52 | 11.5 h |
| 15 March | 06:04 | 18:01 | 12.0 h |
| 31 March | 05:43 | 18:12 | 12.5 h |
Daylight grows by about 60 minutes over the month. Times are local (Asia/Shanghai), including the clock change on the last Sunday of March.
03Crowds
How busy Shanghai is in March
moderate The main sights are moderate in March. What drives it:
- warming days
- plum blossom
- spring rains begin
04Public holidays
Public holidays in March 2027
No public holidays in China fall in March, so shops and museums keep normal hours all month.
05Events
What's on in Shanghai in March
No major recurring events fall in March.
07Packing
What to pack for Shanghai in March
- a warm jacket or coat
- scarf for windy evenings
- closed, water-resistant shoes
- a compact umbrella or hooded rain jacket, rain falls on roughly one day in three
08Editor's notes
What the numbers don't tell you
March is a transition, with cool, wet spells and the first mild afternoons around 17 °C. Spring rain is frequent but light, on about twelve days. The Formula 1 weekend can fall in March or April, pushing up hotel rates near the circuit in Jiading. Crowds are low, and the city's parks begin to green, with magnolias at Fuxing Park in the second half.
The Shanghai Fashion Week falls in late March or April. The Bund's riverside is pleasant on dry days. The cherry blossom at Gucun Park begins at the end of the month. Hotel rates stay at winter levels. Daylight passes twelve hours at the equinox. For the best spring month with the blossoms and the Qingming holiday, see April.
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 March? See the best time to visit Shanghai.
10Elsewhere
March in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| Seoul in March | 13 °C | – |
| Beijing in March | 16 °C | 4 |
| Kyoto in March | 16 °C | 9 |
| Tokyo in March | 16 °C | 9 |
| Bangkok in March | 35 °C | – |
| Singapore in March | 32 °C | 9 |
11FAQ
Shanghai in March: your questions
Is March a good time to visit Shanghai?
March is a good month to visit Shanghai. Daytime highs average 17 °C (62 °F), rain falls on about 12 days, and hotel arrivals run above the yearly average, so the main sights are moderate.
What is the weather like in Shanghai in March?
Expect cool days around 17 °C (62 °F) and nights near 8 °C (47 °F). One March in ten brings afternoons above 25 °C, and one in ten stays below 11 °C.
Does it rain a lot in Shanghai in March?
March brings about 102 mm (4.0 in) of rain over roughly 12 days, which is showery by Shanghai standards. On any given day the chance of at least 1 mm of rain is 39 percent.
What should I wear in Shanghai in March?
Pack a warm jacket or coat, scarf for windy evenings, closed, water-resistant shoes.
Is Shanghai crowded in March?
The main sights are moderate in March. Main drivers: warming days; plum blossom; spring rains begin.
What time does it get dark in Shanghai in March?
Around the middle of March the sun sets at about 18:01 and rises at 06:04, giving 12.0 hours of daylight.