Shanghai in February

In February, Shanghai averages 10°C (50°F) during the day and 2°C (36°F) at night, with around 9 days of rain (60 mm total).

Shoulder

Conditions are cool — bring a jacket for evenings. Occasional showers are likely but won't dominate.

February in Shanghai is outside the typical sweet spot for sightseeing weather. It can still be a great time to visit if you have specific reasons (festivals, off-season pricing, etc.).

10°C
Avg high
2°C
Avg low
9
Rain days
60 mm
Rainfall

How February compares to the rest of the year in Shanghai

10th
warmest month of the 12
9th
wettest month of the 12
5%
of yearly rainfall falls in February
11 h 4 min
daylight on the 15th

February is one of the coolest months in Shanghai (10th of 12) and moderately rainy compared to the rest of the year (9th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 10°C below the annual average (20°C). February runs 2°C warmer than January (8°C) and warms a further 3°C into March (13°C).

February sunrise & sunset in Shanghai

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
6:36 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
5:40 PM
Day length
11 h 4 min

Times shown for Shanghai local time (Asia/Shanghai), calculated for the 15th of February. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.

Photography light in Shanghai — February

Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of February, in Shanghai's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
5:36 AM – 6:16 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
6:16 AM – 7:16 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
6:00 PM – 6:40 PM

📅 When to book — Shanghai in February

Travel writers usually only tell you when to go. Here's when to book flights and lodging for the best mix of price and availability, based on February's tier (Shoulder) and Shanghai's popularity.

✈ Flights — lead time
6-10 weeks
Sweet spot for value. Major fare-sales (US: Black Friday, EU: post-Easter) hit hardest in shoulder months for shoulder travel.
🏨 Lodging — lead time
4-8 weeks
Lots of selection. Look for shoulder-season packages — many hotels add value (free breakfast, spa credit) to fill rooms.
⚠ Chinese New Year disrupts SE Asian flights and hotels for 2-3 weeks — book 5+ months ahead if traveling around the lunar New Year (late Jan to mid-Feb).

February in China — events that affect travel

Known cultural, religious, or national events that surge prices, fill hotels, or close businesses during this month. Plan around them, or build your itinerary around the ones you'd like to see.

🐲
Chinese New Year / Spring Festival
Travel surge · high impact

The largest annual human migration on earth — 300M+ people travel. Mainland China sees mass closures of restaurants, attractions, and shops for ~1 week; transport books out months ahead.

Plan: Travel within mainland China is genuinely hard during this window. Hong Kong/Singapore stay open but very busy. If you can shift dates, do.

Crowds & pricing — February in Shanghai

Shoulder

Shanghai is in a shoulder season month — fewer crowds, slightly lower prices, and a calmer atmosphere than peak weeks. Most major sights stay open with normal hours, though a handful of seasonal restaurants or boat trips may run reduced schedules. Many regulars consider these months the best time to visit because you trade a small amount of weather reliability for a much more pleasant on-the-ground experience.

Sun & mosquito risk — February in Shanghai

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
8.3
Very high
Limit sun exposure between 11 AM and 3 PM; SPF 30-50, reapply every 90 minutes outdoors.
🦟 Mosquito risk
●○○○○
Minimal
Occasional mosquitoes possible near standing water. Repellent rarely needed.

UV is a clear-sky sea-level estimate — clouds, altitude, and reflective surfaces (snow, water) shift it ±30%. Mosquito risk is climate-derived only; for current disease advisories (dengue, malaria, zika) check the CDC or WHO travel pages before your trip.

Shanghai in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 8°C / 46°F 1°C / 34°F 50 mm 9 0
February 10°C / 50°F 2°C / 36°F 60 mm 9 0
March 13°C / 55°F 5°C / 41°F 90 mm 11 0
April 19°C / 66°F 10°C / 50°F 95 mm 12 0
May 24°C / 75°F 15°C / 59°F 110 mm 12 0
June 28°C / 82°F 20°C / 68°F 165 mm 13 0
July 32°C / 90°F 24°C / 75°F 145 mm 11 0
August 32°C / 90°F 24°C / 75°F 150 mm 10 0
September 28°C / 82°F 20°C / 68°F 130 mm 10 0
October 22°C / 72°F 14°C / 57°F 70 mm 8 0
November 16°C / 61°F 8°C / 46°F 55 mm 7 0
December 10°C / 50°F 3°C / 37°F 40 mm 7 0

Other cities with similar February weather

🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for Shanghai in February →

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Shanghai in February?

In February, Shanghai averages a high of 10°C (50°F) and a low of 2°C (36°F) — generally cool.

Does it rain a lot in Shanghai in February?

February sees occasional rain in Shanghai, with about 9 rainy days on average.

Is February a good time to visit Shanghai?

February is cool. It suits travelers who are comfortable with cool weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.

What should I pack for Shanghai in February?

Pack a warm jacket and layers. See the full February packing list for Shanghai for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open Shanghai on the interactive map

Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.