Travel tips related to Shanghai climate and weather

• Shanghai has a sub-tropical monsoon climate, which is warm and humid. Its average annual temperature is 16°C and the annual precipitation is 1,100mm. It has four distinct seasons: a shorter spring and autumn, and a longer summer and winter. The hottest month is July with an average temperature of 30°C, and the coldest month is January with an average temperature of 3°C.
• The climate is favorable for making tours all year round. The best time to visit is Spring and Autumn for mild temperature and comfortable humidity.

Travel tips related to Shanghai tourist sites

• Several scenic tourist cities are near Shanghai and conveniently reachable on the new high speed (over 200 km/hr) trains. These are comfortable and reasonably priced.
• Hangzhou, about 75 minutes away by CRH (China Railway High-speed), is a place full of legends best known for its elegant natural beauty.
• Suzhou, a historic town under an hour away from Shanghai by train. The city has long been lauded by emperors, ancient poets, and scholars alike for its beauty and vitality. Suzhou is also regarded as a live museum of classic Chinese gardening arts with a number of well preserved Gardens for long history.

Travel tips related to Shanghai shopping

• Shop until you drop on China's premier shopping street Nanjing Road, or head for the Yuyuan Bazaar for Chinese crafts and jewelry not far from the Bund. The more famous part lies in the east near the Bund (Nanjing Road East), with a 1-km long pedestrian boulevard (Metro line 2 at Nanjing Road East station, formerly called Henan Road station) lined with busy shops. The No. 3 on the Bund is another high-end shopping center featuring Giorgio Armani's flagship store in China.
• For those interested in boutique shopping, head to the French Concession Streets Xin Le Road, Chang Le Road, and An Fu Road starting from east of Shan Xi Road. This section of low rise building and tree-lined streets bustles with small boutiques of clothing and accessories, young Shanghainese looking for the latest fashions and coffee shops.
• Antiques, jade and communist China memorabilia can be found in Dongtai Road Antiques Market, where you must bargain if you want to get a fair deal. Yuyuan Gardens is another good option for antiques as well as all manner of cheaply made and priced souvenirs (teapots, paintings, "silk" bags, etc.).