Shanghai in May 2026 – is it worth going? Weather and reviews, air temperature and rain, how to dress, how many tourists there are, prices for air tickets and hotels. What to do and see in Shanghai in May, where to go in China – says Eurotraveler.
In May, China cannot be considered an unambiguously “good” tourist destination. More precisely, the beginning of the month is when tens, or rather hundreds of millions of Chinese people use their legal right (holidays plus vacations) to travel around their home country.
But starting from the second ten days of May, you can already travel to Shanghai and other large metropolises of the Celestial Empire without fear to be trampled (crossed out) to get lost in a huge crowd. Although, of course, you still need to be prepared for some surprises – mainly from a climate perspective.
Since in late spring in China – even in northern China – there may be a bit hot. And if in Beijing in mid-May +30 and above degrees Celsius are still tolerable, then in subtropical Shanghai, standing on the banks of a large river, high humidity does its job.
Forcing, if not to survive, then still not to wander without rest from “dawn to sunset.” And also – carefully plan active activities in the “fresh” air.
However, such planning is usually a joy. In any case, it allows you to take several virtual excursions before your trip. And for several weeks or months, cherish the dream of a real trip!
Weather in Shanghai in May
You should initially understand that you are traveling to the subtropics: hot and humid. And not to the sea (where refreshing breezes blow and you can at least swim), but to a huge metropolis.
Which, even in less hot periods of the year, is literally suffocating from the crowd of people and cars!
In general, this is how the air temperature in Shanghai can rise to +30 degrees Celsius. Although it must be admitted that she does not take advantage of such an opportunity very often.
Therefore, in the first ten days of the month, the weather forecast will more often promise +25-28 °C than “African heat”. In some years, real cold snaps occur – during the day, up to +17-20 °C – the good thing is that they almost never last longer than 1 day!
We informed you and okay – as mentioned above, it is better not to go to Shanghai in early May – due to internal Chinese “processes”. Well, now – to a “better” period, that is, a period that promises more positive impressions.
In mid-May in Shanghai it becomes a little more warm (crossed out) hot. But somehow it seems uncertain: one day it can be +32-35 degrees, and on another – no more than +22-23.
In general, it’s tolerable. In contrast, it allows you to avoid insanity and at the same time visit all placesworthy of it.
At the end of May, you can expect slightly more stable weather in Shanghai, with average daytime temperatures of about +25-27 °C. And, probably, this is a particularly good period for a trip – fortunately, many (including the Chinese) are already preparing for a beach holiday at this time.
And they don’t think about excursion trips to big cities
Precipitation and…
It doesn’t rain that often in Shanghai in May. not particularly abundant.
That is, yes, 70-80 mm per month is, in principle, a lot. But if you compare this with the volumes of heavenly moisture that fall on the city in July-September, then you must admit that May is quite a dry month here.
Well, or – you can also say – transitional. From a warm, dry and fairly clear spring to a hot and very muggy summer.
The probability of a sunny day in Shanghai in May is quite high – about 50%. Another feature of the local late spring is the quite noticeable winds. Not just refreshing, but also helping the air not to stagnate.
And, in fact, dispersing the famous Shanghai smog. In June, the situation with air purity is noticeably worse (and, which is typical, you won’t read about it in the reviews).
The sun rises over Shanghai on May 1st and 31st at about 5 am. And it sets over the horizon at half past six or seven in the evening.
The duration of daylight hours ranges from 13.5 to 14 hours. Which is more than enough to get to know Shanghai. Moreover, this city, according to a lot of reviews, looks much better and more festive in the evening and at night than during the day!
What to take with you
It’s not hard to guess – in May, the best time to dress in Shanghai is like summer. Some kind of windbreaker (better with a hood than without) should also be present in your luggage.
However, what are we talking about – even in late spring you are unlikely to leave home wearing only shorts and a T-shirt.
It is absolutely necessary to take with you on a trip to the Celestial Empire not one, but at least two pairs of comfortable shoes. In order to avoid problems with the spine and avoid chafing your feet, you will have to walk a lot in Shanghai.
And, in principle, in China. Because travelers rarely limit themselves to visiting any one city, even a gigantic one.
On the contrary, they want to visit (at least) Xi’an or even climb into some mountainous areas like Zhangjiajie
What are we talking about – a walk along the Great Wall of China alone (if you didn’t know, replete with steep climbs) will make you curse everything in the world if you don’t bother to put on comfortable sneakers or moccasins!
Those who decide to go on a beach holiday after Shanghai – for example, moving to Hanan in May – will probably put a lot of accessories appropriate for a seaside holiday in their suitcase. We wrote about other things you need to take on a trip to China in a separate review.
Prices
for air tickets, if you take into account the distance (for example, from Europe), they cannot be called high. Because, for example, flights from Moscow to Shanghai, and then back, will cost about 50 thousand rubles (luggage is included in the price). Moreover, they will be direct, not transit, and will last less than 10 hours!
It’s still tolerable to stay in Shanghai hotels. Of course, not fashionable ones, but simple ones: just to spend the night. Without sacrificing comfort, however…
Excellent location near Nanjing Road and the combination of qualities is simply very good Shanghai Fish Inn East Nanjing Road. Where in May a couple of travelers can rent a small room for about 70 € per night.
Almost free of flaws, but it costs almost 2 times more than the Holiday Inn Express Shanghai on The Bund. Excellent breakfasts are included in the price, even standard rooms have an area of more than 20 m2. What can we say about the 55 m2 suites with excellent views of the city?
It’s definitely worth taking part in a tour of Shanghai – if you know English well, of course. For a detailed sightseeing tour of the French Quarter (for example) you need to pay about 30 €.
For those who don’t want to walk a lot, we recommend taking Huangpu cruise. The pleasure will cost 20-30 € and will allow you to see the legendary Bund of the Bund from different angles and enjoy the panoramas of Shanghai’s Pudong skyscraper district.
- Cheap excursions in Shanghai
Things to do
As an alternative, we can offer an observation deck of the Shanghai Financial Center at an altitude of 474 meters. From where you (probably) can both see the Bund and (surely) look down at that same “Oriental Pearl”.
The list of desirable activities also includes a walk through the authentic French Quarter of Shanghai. As well as a run through the shops and boutiques of Nanjing Street, getting to know the shikumen architecture in the Xintiandi area. By the way, there are also plenty of shops and good restaurants.
Here is what to try in China from food.
In May, you should definitely visit the Yuyuan Garden in Shanghai. A real green oasis in the heart of a huge modern metropolis, created in full accordance with the canons of Feng Shui.
And therefore, it once again relieves visitors from reserves of “bad” energy!
Travelers with children are unlikely to be able to avoid visiting Disneyland or, at a minimum, the city zoo (oh, those cute “plush” pandas). Older adults might want to spend a few hours exploring the Shanghai Museum’s (ancient Chinese art) collections.
Where to go
Recommended to everyone without exception visit in the water village of Zhouzhang. Although located and not too close to the city, it is still worth a visit – it’s not for nothing that it is called the “Venice of Shanghai”?!
In the vicinity of Shanghai there is another iconic place for China – the Suzhou Gardens. Amazing and unique, protected by UNESCO as a man-made heritage of humanity.
It’s equally worth taking every opportunity to travel from Shanghai to Beijing (unless, of course, that’s where you came from). The fast train ride between the cities takes only 4 hours!
It is from Shanghai that trips to Zhangjiajie Park in Hunan Province (Wulingyuan Nature Reserve) are most often organized. Also known simply as the “Avatar Mountains”.
© Eurotraveler
