China Shanghai Weather in January (cool dry · cheap) — Climate Guide
January (cool dry · cheap) in Shanghai is Cold but cheap
January (cool dry · cheap) is Cold but cheap for Shanghai.
Shanghai's coldest month — 1/8°C clear dry. Hotels 25-30% off summer rates. Best for budget travelers + skyline photography (clearest air of year). Bund + Pudong shots have crystal-clear visibility.
Travel score
Shanghai January (cool dry · cheap) Weather Stats
Avg High
8°C
Avg Low
1°C
Rainy Days
8
45mm total
Sunshine
4h
Daily avg
Humidity
75%
Cold + dry
UV Index
3
Moderate
Wind
9 km/h
Gusts 18
Sea Temp
10°C
N/A (Huangpu River cold)
Crowds
Quiet
At attractions
January (cool dry · cheap) Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
55 μg/m³
PM10
80 μg/m³
Status
Moderate
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
6°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 January (cool dry · cheap)
January (cool dry · cheap) Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Lowest hotel rates
- Clearest air for skyline photos
- Smallest crowds at attractions
- Christmas market atmosphere lingering
Cons
- 1/8°C cold + windy
- Some restaurants close for renovation
- Chinese New Year shutdowns late month
January (cool dry · cheap) Events & Festivals
- Chinese New Year (late Jan or early Feb)
Shanghai in January (cool dry · cheap) — Full Picture
Shanghai's coldest month — 1/8°C clear dry. Hotels 25-30% off summer rates. Best for budget travelers + skyline photography (clearest air of year). Bund + Pudong shots have crystal-clear visibility.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Heavy winter coat, scarf, gloves. Layers — clear skies but wind cuts through.
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 January (cool dry · cheap) Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is January (cool dry · cheap) a good time to visit Shanghai?
Shanghai in January (cool dry · cheap) is Cold but cheap. Tourist crowds are quiet and flight/hotel prices are low season.
What's the average temperature in Shanghai in January (cool dry · cheap)?
Shanghai January (cool dry · cheap) averages a high of 8°C and a low of 1°C.
Does it rain much in Shanghai in January (cool dry · cheap)?
Shanghai January (cool dry · cheap) averages 45mm of rainfall over about 8 rainy days.
What should I wear in Shanghai in January (cool dry · cheap)?
Heavy winter coat, scarf, gloves. Layers — clear skies but wind cuts through.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Shanghai in January (cool dry · cheap)?
Shanghai January (cool dry · cheap) sunrise is 06:40 and sunset is 17:15, with 10h 35min of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Shanghai in January (cool dry · cheap)?
Shanghai January (cool dry · cheap) air quality (AQI) averages 100, rated Moderate. PM2.5 averages 55μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Shanghai in January (cool dry · cheap)?
In January (cool dry · cheap), Shanghai is great for Indoor museums (Shanghai Museum free), Sky deck (clear), Shopping malls.
Is January (cool dry · cheap) peak season in Shanghai?
Shanghai January (cool dry · cheap) crowds are quiet and prices are low season. 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.