What July feels like in Shanghai
For Shanghai, July is the heart of summer. Afternoons are hot, so sightseeing works best in the morning or evening. Evenings ease the heat only slightly, and nights remain very warm. Thick, humid air means clothes cling and the heat feels stronger than the number.
Rain in Shanghai in July
July is persistently wet here: some rain falls on about every other day. Rainy days are intense, averaging about 11.6 mm (0.5 in) — downpours rather than drizzle. The yearly figure is similar, around 10.1 mm per wet day. It is among the three wettest months of the year.
Daylight and sunshine in July
Mid-month, Shanghai gets 14 h of daylight, from sunrise near 5:00 am to sunset near 7:00 pm. Compared with mid-June, the day has lost 10 min. The sun is out for roughly 68% of those daylight hours, so there are plenty of bright spells.
How July compares to the rest of the year
Ranked by average high, July comes out as the 2nd warmest month in Shanghai. Afternoons run 4.1°C (7.4°F) warmer than in June, with 62 mm less rain. The warm-up continues into August. The next month's average high: 31.9°C (89.4°F).
Who July suits
- Sightseeing: less ideal — rain falls on more than half the days.
- Parks & outdoor: less ideal — afternoons are too warm to linger outside.
- Beach: less ideal — too many rainy days.
- Museums & indoor: a good choice — with rain on most days, galleries and museums make easy plans.
Tips for visiting Shanghai in July
Rain Protection
Keep a small umbrella in your bag and wear shoes that cope with puddles.
Sun Protection
Sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses; light breathable clothes.
Quick questions
How warm is Shanghai in July?
Afternoons average 31.7°C (89.1°F) and nights about 25.7°C (78.3°F) — hot by most people's standards. It is the 2nd warmest month of the year.
Does it rain a lot in Shanghai in July?
Yes, fairly — rain falls about every other day and totals about 186 mm, so an umbrella is worth carrying.
What should I wear in Shanghai in July?
The numbers point to rain protection and sun protection. There is little need to change for the evening.
Is July or August better for visiting Shanghai?
August scores better on our climate ranking (#7 of 12 vs #11), rated Good against Fair. August has fewer rainy days.