01Weather
Shanghai weather in May
Afternoons in May average 26.5 °C (80 °F) and nights cool to 18.3 °C (65 °F). The month brings about 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain spread over roughly 10 days. Compared with April it is 4.2 °C warmer; June is 2.8 °C warmer again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical May | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 31 °C / 88 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | 22 °C / 72 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | 15 °C / 59 °F | one night in ten is colder than this |
| Days above 30 °C (86 °F) | 6.7 | per month, average 2016–2025 |
| Nights at or below 0 °C (32 °F) | 0.0 | frost mornings per month |
| Chance of rain on any given day | 34 % | at least 1 mm |
| Hottest / coldest May day 2016–2025 | 37.0 °C / 11.0 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 May | 05:09 | 18:33 | 13.4 h |
| 15 May | 04:58 | 18:42 | 13.7 h |
| 31 May | 04:50 | 18:52 | 14.0 h |
Daylight grows by about 36 minutes over the month. Times are local (Asia/Shanghai).
03Crowds
How busy Shanghai is in May
very busy The main sights are very busy in May. What drives it:
- May Day holiday 1–5 May
- pleasant weather
- domestic tourism peak
04Public holidays
Public holidays in May 2027
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 1 May 2027 | Labour 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 May
Every year in May
| Event | When | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Day holiday | 1–5 May | holiday |
07Packing
What to pack for Shanghai in May
- light, breathable clothing
- sun hat and sunscreen
- refillable water bottle
- a compact umbrella or hooded rain jacket, rain falls on roughly one day in three
- something for heat: 7 days a month pass 30 °C on average
08Editor's notes
What the numbers don't tell you
May opens with the five-day Labour Day holiday, when the Bund, Yu Garden and Disneyland hit capacity and domestic travellers fill every hotel. From the 6th the weather is warm, around 25 °C, mostly dry and comfortable, making mid-to-late May a prime window. Rain falls on about ten days. The city's plane trees along the French Concession streets are in full leaf.
The Shanghai Museum's East branch in Pudong and the West Bund galleries are the standard cultural circuit. The water towns of Zhujiajiao and Suzhou are comfortable day trips. Hotel rates ease after the holiday. Daylight passes thirteen and a half hours. For the plum rains, the Film Festival and the Dragon Boat Festival, see June.
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 May? See the best time to visit Shanghai.
10Elsewhere
May in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| Seoul in May | 24 °C | – |
| Beijing in May | 29 °C | 6 |
| Kyoto in May | 25 °C | 8 |
| Tokyo in May | 24 °C | 9 |
| Bangkok in May | 36 °C | 22 |
| Singapore in May | 32 °C | 12 |
11FAQ
Shanghai in May: your questions
Is May a good time to visit Shanghai?
May is a good month to visit Shanghai. Daytime highs average 26 °C (80 °F), rain falls on about 10 days, and hotel arrivals run above the yearly average, so the main sights are very busy.
What is the weather like in Shanghai in May?
Expect warm days around 26 °C (80 °F) and nights near 18 °C (65 °F). One May in ten brings afternoons above 31 °C, and one in ten stays below 22 °C.
Does it rain a lot in Shanghai in May?
May brings about 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain over roughly 10 days, which is showery by Shanghai standards. On any given day the chance of at least 1 mm of rain is 34 percent.
What should I wear in Shanghai in May?
Pack light, breathable clothing, sun hat and sunscreen, refillable water bottle.
Is Shanghai crowded in May?
The main sights are very busy in May. Main drivers: May Day holiday 1–5 May; pleasant weather; domestic tourism peak.
What time does it get dark in Shanghai in May?
Around the middle of May the sun sets at about 18:42 and rises at 04:58, giving 13.7 hours of daylight.