The Best Season Of Shanghai

The best seasons to visit Shànghǎi are spring (March to mid-May), as the city warms up from a clammy, cold winter, and autumn (late September to mid-November), as the heat of summer pleasantly subsides. Although Shàng- hǎi has grown warmer in winter over recent years (adult Shànghǎi residents certainly recall the winter snows that used to carpet the city, but snow is rarer these days), winter (mid- November to February) is generally miser- able with most heating coming from air-con (central heating is rare). Summer (June to September) is fiercely hot, and the humidity combines with the crowds to rapidly sap en- ergy, although this is the peak tourist season. All hell breaks loose in late January/early Feb- ruary when the Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) hits town and swamps the transport infrastructure with domestic travellers. The first weeks of May and October are national holiday periods for the Chinese and best avoided, unless you enjoy being crowded out of the top sights. Peruse the following Festivals section to cherry-pick events that float your boat. See the Climate section for informa- tion on the weather in Shànghǎi.