Weather in Shanghai in Septemberis it worth going on vacation? Air temperature, reviews, what to take with you, prices 2026. What to do and see in Shanghai in September, where to go in China – says Eurotraveler.
If you are even a little in the know, you should know that September is not considered the best month to travel to China. Because the beginning of this month in the “Celestial Empire” is characterized by high air temperatures and humidity, which no one would probably consider healthy.
At the end of September, the Chinese themselves begin to travel around the country too actively. As a result, such crowds form literally everywhere and it becomes so noisy that even cool-headed and self-possessed tourists (not Chinese, of course) begin to want to leave somewhere far away. For example, to the taiga)
However, neither the first nor, especially the second, will stop someone (who knows, maybe he lacks “drive” in life). And therefore, you shouldn’t be surprised that people come to both Beijing and Shanghai in September.
And then they write such positive and enthusiastic reviews that you can’t help but think: maybe there’s something wrong with the statistics? Well, or is the stuffiness and heat in China somehow tolerated in a special way, easier?
We decided to form our own opinion on this matter. And that’s what happened!
Briefly
- When does the rainy season end in Shanghai? The volume of precipitation and the intensity of showers decreases greatly starting from the second half of September. Also at this time, the likelihood of typhoons in the South China Sea drops significantly.
- How hot is it in Shanghai in September? In recent years it has been very hot. During the first ten days or even half of the month, daytime temperatures of about +32-37 °C are regularly recorded
- So, in conclusion, is September suitable for a trip to Shanghai? If you plan a trip for the period from the 15th-16th to the 25th, then it’s fine. Because at the beginning of the month it is too hot and stuffy for walks around the city and participation in excursions to bring the emotions you expect. As October approaches, the heat subsides, but “Golden Week” begins in China and literally the whole country goes on trips
- When is the best time to go to Shanghai? The spring months are considered the most optimal for travel: April and partly May. And also: October and even November. In the summer, the Chinese metropolis is too hot and humid, and in the winter it can also be damp. But it will be dampness of a different kind – causing you to freeze even at above-zero temperatures.
Well, now we will tell you about everything in more detail!
Weather in Shanghai in September
Not everyone will like the first one. People who do not complain about their health and are generally accustomed to the tropics will, however, like it.
Yes, the air temperature in Shanghai in early September during the day is consistently above +35 degrees Celsius. But in the evenings it just as steadily falls into the range of +24-27 °C.
If you always remember that the Asian metropolis looks especially magical in the dark, then the shift in tourist activity to the evening hours looks more like a blessing than a forced necessity. Moreover, at this time you can do literally everything that you can do during the day (Disneyland and museums do not count). And there will be even more emotions when looking at the illuminated Bund, the Pudong skyscraper district or the shimmering city from the observation deck at the Oriental Pearl.
Again, in the evenings cruise ships actively circulate along the river. And you can also take part in a tour of the old quarters after sunset – just pay.
In mid-September, the temperature (air, but not passion) in Shanghai drops – during the day to +30-32 °C, at night – the same around +25 °C. This allows you to plan your schedule for visiting attractions much more flexibly.
For example, try to find spiritual harmony in the Yuyuan Garden, which is quite difficult to do in the stuffiness. Or take a ride to the famous pearl of China nearby – Suzhou Gardens.
This must be done before September 25th arrives (approximately, the dates change from year to year). Because at this time it is better not to come to China. Or, when you arrive, sit quietly and quietly, don’t go anywhere in particular… so as not to be trampled.
Humidity
in most cases it is too high. At the beginning of the month you shouldn’t expect it to be below 80%. In the middle and especially at the end of September, drier weather sets in in Shanghai.
Humidity drops to 70% and below, and rain moderates its intensity. That is, they don’t stop completely, but floods are atypical for this time.
The average monthly precipitation is about 100 mm, the number of rainy days is up to 5-6.
Compared to the summer months, this is a clear improvement – for example, in June in Shanghai it is better to wear a raincoat and an umbrella. And already in July-August it’s the same!
Clear weather, however, is not very typical for Shanghai in September. What’s really not scary is that you can calmly walk and admire this city even on a cloudy day.
And not just admire, but even fall in love – irecommend.ru/content/shankhai-eto-moya-novaya-lyubov-na-vsyu-zhizn. Which, you see, is not easy to do in stuffy conditions or surrounded by crowds)
The length of daylight gradually decreases throughout September: from almost 13 to almost 12 hours. Which, however, should be enough to see everything really worthwhile in 3-4 days (keep in mind that in the evenings, after dark, you can not only walk around Shanghai, but also need to).
Worth considering
That talk about typhoons in Shanghai in September, as well as heavy rains and squally winds, is far from an “old wives’ tale.” Similar disasters occur in this area at the beginning of autumn. Although it cannot be said that regularly or – especially – every year – tass.ru/obschestvo/21871727.
The weather forecast for the next 6-7 days can be seen here – worldweather.wmo.int/ru/city.html?cityId=240.
What to take with you
Mosquitoes can be a separate problem in Shanghai in the summer-September period. Which love humid and hot weather much more than people and use the period for active reproduction.
So make sure your hotel has mosquito nets on the windows. Well, stock up on a fumigator before your trip, plus some ointments and mosquito repellent sprays.
As for clothes, it’s not difficult to imagine what people wear in Shanghai in September. Obviously, summer clothing is especially in demand. Plus raincoats and waterproof windbreakers that will protect you in case of bad weather.
There should be several sets of clothes, not underwear – optimally 3-4. So that you can quickly change clothes. After being in the rain or sweating)
For footwear, we recommend something light and at the same time waterproof. Well, or wet, but something that you don’t really mind losing (not in the literal sense, of course).
An umbrella, by the way, is also necessary. Moreover, in case of both rainy and very clear weather – as you understand, this accessory can protect you from the scorching rays of the sun.
You can read about other things that are worth taking with you to China in our review. It also contains some facts regarding access to the Internet, attitude towards cash and generally communication with the local population.
Prices 2026
If you travel to Shanghai on your own in the second half of September, you will expect approximately the following expenses:
- Air tickets from Moscow and back (for example) can be purchased for 50-55 thousand rubles, if you do not look out for profit and resolve the issue head-on. However, these will be direct flights, without any transfers and waiting at the transit airport. Flight time is about 9 hours, sensitive luggage (up to 23 kg) is included in the price
- You can rent a hotel room in Shanghai at the beginning of autumn for ~€60. In particular, for that much you can stay in a good Magnificent International Hotel. Which is located at an acceptable distance from Yuyuan Garden (1.5 km) and from Nanjing Road (~2 km). More fashionable, but also located much more conveniently, Holiday Inn Express Shanghai on The Bund will cost twice as much. There, however, breakfast is included in the price of accommodation.
- city tours cost from €50-60 per participant. River cruises, whether day or evening, are about half the price. And this cannot but rejoice, since it is from the water that the most impressive views of Shanghai skyscrapers open.
Things to do
If this is your first time in Shanghai, then you won’t have to think long about the program of “obligatory events”. After all, which tourist would risk not taking a walk on the Bund of the Bund to enjoy the views and majestic European architecture?
And then why not go up to one of their observation platforms? Particularly popular is the one located in the Oriental Pearl, the most conspicuous of Shanghai’s high-rise buildings.
Few travelers miss the chance to visit their local Disneyland. Although if you have left childhood and adolescence (or simply “aged at heart”), you will find more interesting things to do.
The rules of good manners oblige the traveler to take a walk through the Shanghai French Quarter. Aesthetes might want to visit the curious Xintiandi district, which boasts single-style shikumen houses.
It is quite natural not to pass by the Garden of Joy, Yuyuan in Shanghai. Which was created in full accordance with the canons of Feng Shui, and frees visitors from “bad” energy like a vacuum cleaner (we say this – it’s considered so!).
Where to go
If you have more than 2 days, be sure to get to the “Shanghai Venice”. There are even several of them living nearby. But usually only one is heard, called Zhouzhang.
Relatively far from the city (in the sense that it will take more than an hour to get there) there is another grandiose attraction of national scale. It’s called the Suzhou Gardens, and it’s so grandiose that even UNESCO noticed it. Included this monument of landscape architecture in the World Heritage List.
You can also go to Beijing in September. Why not? Especially if you have never been to the capital of China before?
There is no particular need to use an airplane for this. Because you can take a fast train from Shanghai to Beijing in just over 4 hours!
© Eurotraveler
