China Shanghai Weather in December (cool dry · holiday season) — Climate Guide
December (cool dry · holiday season) in Shanghai is Cool + clear
December (cool dry · holiday season) is Cool + clear for Shanghai.
Cool dry winter begins — 4/11°C. Hotels at moderate rates outside Christmas/NYE peak. Clear skies make this the canonical Pudong skyline photography month. Best for budget travelers + photographers + travelers comfortable with cool weather.
Travel score
Shanghai December (cool dry · holiday season) Weather Stats
Avg High
11°C
Avg Low
4°C
Rainy Days
8
50mm total
Sunshine
4h
Daily avg
Humidity
75%
Cool + dry
UV Index
3
Moderate
Wind
9 km/h
Gusts 18
Sea Temp
13°C
Cool
Crowds
Moderate
At attractions
December (cool dry · holiday season) Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
50 μg/m³
PM10
80 μg/m³
Status
Moderate
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
9°C
Nighttime
2°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
9 km/h
Max gust 18 km/h
Activities Recommended for December (cool dry · holiday season)
December (cool dry · holiday season) Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Hotels moderate
- Clearest Pudong skyline photos
- Christmas + NYE atmosphere
- Smaller crowds
Cons
- 4/11°C cool
- Christmas Eve + NYE briefly spike
- Limited outdoor terrace season
December (cool dry · holiday season) Events & Festivals
- Christmas + New Year (December 25 + 31 — Western tourist mini-spike)
Shanghai in December (cool dry · holiday season) — Full Picture
Cool dry winter begins — 4/11°C. Hotels at moderate rates outside Christmas/NYE peak. Clear skies make this the canonical Pudong skyline photography month. Best for budget travelers + photographers + travelers comfortable with cool weather.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Winter coat + scarf + gloves + layers.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
19°C
11°C
13/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
31°C
23.7°C
12.7/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
22.7°C
15.7°C
9/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
Current9.7°C
2.3°C
8.3/mo
Shanghai Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8° | 1° | 8d·45mm | 4h | 75% | 3 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 10° | 2° | 9d·60mm | 5h | 75% | 4 | Moderate | Peak | |
| 14° | 6° | 12d·80mm | 5h | 76% | 5 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 19° | 11° | 13d·95mm | 5h | 78% | 7 | Busy | Peak | |
| 24° | 16° | 14d·105mm | 5h | 80% | 8 | Busy | Peak | |
| 28° | 21° | 16d·175mm | 5h | 85% | 9 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 33° | 25° | 11d·130mm | 7h | 82% | 10 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 32° | 25° | 11d·145mm | 7h | 82% | 10 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 28° | 21° | 11d·95mm | 6h | 78% | 7 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 23° | 16° | 8d·50mm | 6h | 76% | 5 | Very busy | Peak | |
| 17° | 10° | 8d·55mm | 5h | 73% | 4 | Busy | Shoulder | |
| 11° | 4° | 8d·50mm | 4h | 75% | 3 | Moderate | Shoulder |
View Other Months
Shanghai December (cool dry · holiday season) Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is December (cool dry · holiday season) a good time to visit Shanghai?
Shanghai in December (cool dry · holiday season) is Cool + clear. Tourist crowds are moderate and flight/hotel prices are shoulder.
What's the average temperature in Shanghai in December (cool dry · holiday season)?
Shanghai December (cool dry · holiday season) averages a high of 11°C and a low of 4°C.
Does it rain much in Shanghai in December (cool dry · holiday season)?
Shanghai December (cool dry · holiday season) averages 50mm of rainfall over about 8 rainy days.
What should I wear in Shanghai in December (cool dry · holiday season)?
Winter coat + scarf + gloves + layers.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Shanghai in December (cool dry · holiday season)?
Shanghai December (cool dry · holiday season) sunrise is 06:50 and sunset is 16:55, with 10h 05min of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Shanghai in December (cool dry · holiday season)?
Shanghai December (cool dry · holiday season) air quality (AQI) averages 100, rated Moderate. PM2.5 averages 50μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Shanghai in December (cool dry · holiday season)?
In December (cool dry · holiday season), Shanghai is great for Pudong skyline photography (clearest air), Christmas markets at Xintiandi, Hot pot dinners.
Is December (cool dry · holiday season) peak season in Shanghai?
Shanghai December (cool dry · holiday season) crowds are moderate and prices are shoulder. You can travel relatively comfortably without long queues.
Best Months to Visit Shanghai
View Other Months
Why you can trust weather guide
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.