Shanghai in January
In January, Shanghai averages 8°C (46°F) during the day and 1°C (34°F) at night, with around 9 days of rain (50 mm total).
ShoulderConditions are cold — pack winter layers. Occasional showers are likely but won't dominate.
January 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.).
How January compares to the rest of the year in Shanghai
January is one of the coolest months in Shanghai (12th of 12) and moderately rainy compared to the rest of the year (8th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 12°C below the annual average (20°C). January runs 2°C cooler than December (10°C) and warms a further 2°C into February (10°C).
January sunrise & sunset in Shanghai
Times shown for Shanghai local time (Asia/Shanghai), calculated for the 15th of January. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.
Photography light in Shanghai — January
Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of January, in Shanghai's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).
📅 When to book — Shanghai in January
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 January's tier (Shoulder) and Shanghai's popularity.
January 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.
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 — January in Shanghai
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 — January in Shanghai
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
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainfall | Rain days | Snow 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 January weather
🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for Shanghai in January →
Frequently asked questions
How hot is Shanghai in January?
In January, Shanghai averages a high of 8°C (46°F) and a low of 1°C (34°F) — generally cold.
Does it rain a lot in Shanghai in January?
January sees occasional rain in Shanghai, with about 9 rainy days on average.
Is January a good time to visit Shanghai?
January is cold. It suits travelers who are comfortable with cold weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.
What should I pack for Shanghai in January?
Pack heavy winter layers, a coat, hat and gloves. See the full January packing list for Shanghai for a complete, climate-based checklist.
Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.