China Shanghai Weather in December (cool dry · holiday season) — Climate Guide
December (cool dry · holiday season) in Shanghai is Cool + clear
Shanghai Weather in December (cool dry · holiday season) — Quick Answer
As of 2026- Avg temp
- 11° / 4°
- Rainfall
- 50mm · 8 days
- Crowds
- Moderate
As of 2026, Shanghai in December (cool dry · holiday season) averages a high of 11°C and low of 4°C with 50mm of rain over about 8 days. Winter coat + scarf + gloves + layers.
December (cool dry · holiday season) is Cool + clear for Shanghai.
Cool dry winter begins — 4/11°C. Hotels at moderate rates outside Christmas/NYE peak. Clear skies make this the canonical Pudong skyline photography month. Best for budget travelers + photographers + travelers comfortable with cool weather.
Travel score
Shanghai December (cool dry · holiday season) Weather Stats
Avg High
11°C
Avg Low
4°C
Rainy Days
8
50mm total
Sunshine
4h
Daily avg
Humidity
75%
Cool + dry
UV Index
3
Moderate
Wind
9 km/h
Gusts 18
Sea Temp
13°C
Cool
Crowds
Moderate
At attractions
December (cool dry · holiday season) Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
50 μg/m³
PM10
80 μg/m³
Status
Moderate
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
9°C
Nighttime
2°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
9 km/h
Max gust 18 km/h
Activities Recommended for December (cool dry · holiday season)
December (cool dry · holiday season) Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Hotels moderate
- Clearest Pudong skyline photos
- Christmas + NYE atmosphere
- Smaller crowds
Cons
- 4/11°C cool
- Christmas Eve + NYE briefly spike
- Limited outdoor terrace season
December (cool dry · holiday season) Events & Festivals
- Christmas + New Year (December 25 + 31 — Western tourist mini-spike)
Shanghai in December (cool dry · holiday season) — Full Picture
Cool dry winter begins — 4/11°C. Hotels at moderate rates outside Christmas/NYE peak. Clear skies make this the canonical Pudong skyline photography month. Best for budget travelers + photographers + travelers comfortable with cool weather.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Winter coat + scarf + gloves + layers.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
19°C
11°C
13/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
31°C
23.7°C
12.7/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
22.7°C
15.7°C
9/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
Current9.7°C
2.3°C
8.3/mo
Shanghai Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8° | 1° | 8d·45mm | 4h | 75% | 3 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 10° | 2° | 9d·60mm | 5h | 75% | 4 | Moderate | Peak | |
| 14° | 6° | 12d·80mm | 5h | 76% | 5 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 19° | 11° | 13d·95mm | 5h | 78% | 7 | Busy | Peak | |
| 24° | 16° | 14d·105mm | 5h | 80% | 8 | Busy | Peak | |
| 28° | 21° | 16d·175mm | 5h | 85% | 9 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 33° | 25° | 11d·130mm | 7h | 82% | 10 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 32° | 25° | 11d·145mm | 7h | 82% | 10 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 28° | 21° | 11d·95mm | 6h | 78% | 7 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 23° | 16° | 8d·50mm | 6h | 76% | 5 | Very busy | Peak | |
| 17° | 10° | 8d·55mm | 5h | 73% | 4 | Busy | Shoulder | |
| 11° | 4° | 8d·50mm | 4h | 75% | 3 | Moderate | Shoulder |
View Other Months
Shanghai December (cool dry · holiday season) Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is December (cool dry · holiday season) a good time to visit Shanghai?
Shanghai in December (cool dry · holiday season) is Cool + clear. Tourist crowds are moderate and flight/hotel prices are shoulder.
What's the average temperature in Shanghai in December (cool dry · holiday season)?
Shanghai December (cool dry · holiday season) averages a high of 11°C and a low of 4°C.
Does it rain much in Shanghai in December (cool dry · holiday season)?
Shanghai December (cool dry · holiday season) averages 50mm of rainfall over about 8 rainy days.
What should I wear in Shanghai in December (cool dry · holiday season)?
Winter coat + scarf + gloves + layers.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Shanghai in December (cool dry · holiday season)?
Shanghai December (cool dry · holiday season) sunrise is 06:50 and sunset is 16:55, with 10h 05min of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Shanghai in December (cool dry · holiday season)?
Shanghai December (cool dry · holiday season) air quality (AQI) averages 100, rated Moderate. PM2.5 averages 50μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Shanghai in December (cool dry · holiday season)?
In December (cool dry · holiday season), Shanghai is great for Pudong skyline photography (clearest air), Christmas markets at Xintiandi, Hot pot dinners.
Is December (cool dry · holiday season) peak season in Shanghai?
Shanghai December (cool dry · holiday season) crowds are moderate and prices are shoulder. You can travel relatively comfortably without long queues.
Best Months to Visit Shanghai
View Other Months
Planning a December (cool dry · holiday season) trip to Shanghai?
You've checked the weather — next come the budget and the route.
Why you can trust weather guide
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.