Shanghai in March 2026 – is it worth going? Weather and reviews, air temperature, how to dress, prices for air tickets, hotels and excursions. What to do and see in Shanghai in March, where else to go in China – says Eurotraveler.
If it’s true that spring is a time of renewal, then it’s also a great time to update your habits. Including those related to recreation and travel.
After all, a person is used to what? Moreover, you need to relax – definitely in the summer, because at no other time of the year will a vacation bring so much joy and pleasant impressions!
But is this true? Wouldn’t it be better to go to some interesting place, like Shanghai in China – in March?!
When will it be there (already) not coldbut (yet) not hot? When will the Chinese New Year end and the tourists who had a lot of fun during the celebration will get tired and go home? Will prices for literally everything: flights, hotels, excursions – fall?
So we think that a trip to this time and to this place – good idea! If you put all the facts together, it’s probably even brilliant!
Weather in Shanghai in March
In general, it does not suffer from stability – in terms of temperatures. But it has one property that will delight the active traveler – the first month of spring in China’s largest metropolis not particularly generous with rain.
Daytime air temperatures in Shanghai in early March tend to be in the range of +10-13 degrees Celsius. Although it is capable of such surprises that will leave even an experienced tourist in complete amazement.
In particular, in the first ten days of March in Shanghai it may warm up not to +18-20 °C, but even to +25-28 °C. And this is not a joke – in recent years, such stormy, although not very long-lasting, weather disasters have become a kind of norm.
Can it be below +10 degrees during the day? And this happens – not only at the beginning, but also in the middle of the month.
But at the end of March in Shanghai you can count on a more or less stable +14-16 °C. AND high probability warm days with temperatures up to +20-25!
Nights throughout the first month of spring are much cooler: usually +4-8, but it can be +12-14 degrees Celsius (especially at the end of March). And this alone perfectly explains why the trees here begin to bloom – we don’t even say bloom – at best closer to April.
Rain and sun
According to long-term statistics, March is one of the driest months in Shanghai. The total volume of precipitation rarely exceeds 50 mm, the average number of rainy days is 4-6.
In most cases, however, it will be cloudynot sunny. On some days, there is a suspension of something unknown in the air (maybe smog?), and there are fogs.
Against the background of low air temperatures, such (dank) weather can literally freeze an insufficiently warmly dressed tourist. On hot days, on the contrary, it becomes stuffy.
The total number of clear days, by the way, is up to 8-10 per month
The duration of daylight hours increases from 11.5 hours on March 1 to 12.5 hours on the threshold of April 1. This allows you to plan a very busy schedule of events!
How to dress
Surely, after reading the previous paragraphs, you already have an understanding of what kind of clothes you need to take with you on a trip to Shanghai in March.
But just in case, we emphasize that in no case should you underestimate the pure usefulness multilayer, layered clothing. Which retains heat well, but at the same time prevents the body from sweating.
A waterproof windbreaker may come in handy. Equally, you will almost certainly be glad if you take waterproof shoes with you.
And, of course, it should also be comfortable. One that minimizes the stress on your legs during long walks
Again, keep in mind the possibility of traveling from Shanghai to other interesting places in China. Such as the Huangshan Mountains or Zhangjiajie Park.
Where without trekking shoes (and good physical shape) it will be difficult for anyone!
There are also completely non-standard options for continuing your vacation.
In particular, in March you can go to Hainan Island. Bask in the sun and swim in the sea: spring is in full swing in the Chinese subtropics at the beginning high beach season.
So in this case, you should pack your swimwear in your suitcase. Well, take other useful things with you on vacation: sundresses and shorts, flip-flops and beach towels, sunscreen and the same glasses!
Prices
In fact, we are tolerant. Of course, you can’t call them low. But also too high.
For example, for flights from Moscow to Shanghai and back on indirect flights in March 2026, you will pay from 32-35 thousand rubles. Which is comparable, if not less, than what you will have to pay for a round trip to Sochi.
As for Shanghai hotels, they quite expensive. Although, in our opinion, they are cheaper than their Beijing “colleagues”.
Therefore, finding something decent and located not too far from the center of Shanghai for less than 100-110 € for two is problematic.
We recommend the decidedly not the cheapest, but excellently located Holiday Inn Express Shanghai on The Bund. If not completely devoid of shortcomings, then it looks advantageous against the background of “colleagues” with similar prices.
It’s much cheaper and also excellent location Shanghai Fish Inn East Nanjing Road. But:
- A. The rooms there are smaller and the furniture is a little “tired”
- b. You will have to decide on breakfast yourself – they are not included in the price.
Excursions in Shanghai are as if don’t look especially ruinous entertainment (we didn’t order, so it’s only theoretical). At least if you understand English well.
In particular, you can take a sightseeing walk around the city and get acquainted with its key attractions in the company of a guide, for a fee of about 30 €. A similar amount will have to be paid for participation in cruise on the Huangpu River — from the water, Shanghai skyscrapers and, in general, the entire Pudong district look especially impressive.
Things to do
In short – everyone! And we strongly advise you not to focus on “traditional” attractions.
But also to do gastronomic tourism! Get acquainted with Chinese cuisine not only through Peking duck or, for example, pork in sweet and sour sauce.
You can carefully examine the main attractions of Shanghai, soak in its spirit and rhythm, in 3 days. That is, of course, in such a short period of time you will not have time to visit everything worthy of it.
But the main thing is – you will see!
Walk along Nanjing Road and look into the old city of Shanghai. Visit him French Quarter and try to experience moments of true joy in a place designed specifically for this Yuyuan Garden.
And in Shanghai you need to see “The Pearl of the Orient”. And not only outside!
It’s definitely worth going up to the observation deck of one of the most famous TV towers in the world. It offers a gorgeous view of perhaps the largest (populated, that’s right) city on the planet.
Most do not consider it shameful to spend a day visiting Shanghai Disneyland. And travelers with a child will almost certainly do this.
Perhaps family tourists will also visit the city zoo – to visit the pandasFor example. If there is time left and there is a desire, of course.
Country travel is considered an almost obligatory activity for any traveler. trip to Zhouzhang. The most famous of the “Shanghai Venices” – vast villages penetrated by a network of canals.
And for some reason, not everyone is the first to reach Suzhou gardens. Although it seemed: this is not just an original and beautiful place, but also one of the central attractions of China?
Finally, we suggest you go to Beijing in March. If you, like the author of this review, don’t actually come to admire Shanghai.
- How long does it take to travel by fast train from Beijing to Shanghai?
- The main things to see in China
- What you need to know about modern China
- Weather and air temperature in March in Tokyo
© Eurotraveler
