01Weather
Shanghai weather in October
Afternoons in October average 24.0 °C (75 °F) and nights cool to 17.3 °C (63 °F). The month brings about 119 mm (4.7 in) of rain spread over roughly 8 days. Compared with September it is 5.8 °C cooler; November is 5.2 °C cooler again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical October | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 30 °C / 86 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | 20 °C / 68 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | 13 °C / 55 °F | one night in ten is colder than this |
| Days above 30 °C (86 °F) | 3.2 | 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 | 27 % | at least 1 mm |
| Hottest / coldest October day 2016–2025 | 36.0 °C / 9.0 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 October | 05:47 | 17:39 | 11.9 h |
| 15 October | 05:57 | 17:22 | 11.4 h |
| 31 October | 06:08 | 17:06 | 11.0 h |
Daylight shrinks by about 54 minutes over the month. Times are local (Asia/Shanghai), including the clock change on the last Sunday of October.
03Crowds
How busy Shanghai is in October
very busy The main sights are very busy in October. What drives it:
- Golden Week 1–7 October
- best autumn weather
- Rolex Shanghai Masters
04Public holidays
Public holidays in October 2027
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 1 Oct 2027 | National 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 October
Every year in October
| Event | When | Type |
|---|---|---|
| National Day Golden Week | 1–7 October | holiday |
| Rolex Shanghai Masters | October, Qizhong tennis | sport |
07Packing
What to pack for Shanghai in October
- layers: t-shirt plus a light jacket for evenings
- comfortable walking shoes
- a compact umbrella for occasional showers
- something for heat: 3 days a month pass 30 °C on average
08Editor's notes
What the numbers don't tell you
October has the best weather of the year, with afternoons around 23 °C, dry and sunny, but the first seven days are Golden Week, when the entire country travels and the Bund becomes impassable. From the 8th it is superb, with the Rolex Shanghai Masters tennis at Qizhong mid-month and the West Bund Art and Design fair in November. Book early for the second half. Rain falls on about six days.
The Shanghai International Arts Festival runs from October to November. The plane trees begin to turn in the final week. Hotel rates fall sharply after the holiday. The Yu Garden and the Jade Buddha Temple are calm on weekdays. Daylight shrinks from twelve hours to eleven. For the mild, dry month with the Import Expo, see November.
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 October? See the best time to visit Shanghai.
10Elsewhere
October in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| Seoul in October | 20 °C | – |
| Beijing in October | 20 °C | 5 |
| Kyoto in October | 24 °C | 8 |
| Tokyo in October | 22 °C | 10 |
| Bangkok in October | 33 °C | 22 |
| Singapore in October | 32 °C | 12 |
11FAQ
Shanghai in October: your questions
Is October a good time to visit Shanghai?
October is a good month to visit Shanghai. Daytime highs average 24 °C (75 °F), rain falls on about 8 days, and hotel arrivals run above the yearly average, so the main sights are very busy.
What is the weather like in Shanghai in October?
Expect warm days around 24 °C (75 °F) and nights near 17 °C (63 °F). One October in ten brings afternoons above 30 °C, and one in ten stays below 20 °C.
Does it rain a lot in Shanghai in October?
October brings about 119 mm (4.7 in) of rain over roughly 8 days, which is fairly dry by Shanghai standards. On any given day the chance of at least 1 mm of rain is 27 percent.
What should I wear in Shanghai in October?
Pack layers: t-shirt plus a light jacket for evenings, comfortable walking shoes, a compact umbrella for occasional showers.
Is Shanghai crowded in October?
The main sights are very busy in October. Main drivers: Golden Week 1–7 October; best autumn weather; Rolex Shanghai Masters.
What time does it get dark in Shanghai in October?
Around the middle of October the sun sets at about 17:22 and rises at 05:57, giving 11.4 hours of daylight.