Shanghai Packing List: What to Bring Each Season

Packing for Shanghai is less about a long checklist and more about the weather and the way the city works. The biggest mistakes are overpacking clothes, bringing the wrong shoes, forgetting rain protection, and arriving without a plan for your phone and payments.

This list covers what you actually need, season by season, plus the things you can buy after you arrive.

The short version

• Bring layers. Shanghai is humid, and temperatures swing within a day.
• Bring rain protection. Drizzle, thunderstorms, and plum rain are all part of the year.
• Wear broken-in walking shoes. You will walk more than you expect, and some metro stations involve stairs.
• Pack a universal adapter. China uses 220V and type A, C, or I sockets; check that your charger accepts 220V.
• Bring enough of your prescription medication, in its original packaging, with a doctor's letter.
• Prepare your phone before you fly. Many international apps and services are unavailable on mainland networks, and access rules can change; see the VPN guide and travel apps guide.
• Do not overpack clothes. Laundry is available, and extra luggage is a burden on the metro.
• Carry tissues and hand sanitizer. Not every public toilet supplies paper or soap.

Documents and money

• Passport with enough validity for your entry type, plus any visa or visa-free transit documentation. Check the current rules for your nationality and route before booking; the National Immigration Administration publishes China's visa-free transit policies.
• Travel insurance details, including the emergency assistance number, stored offline. See the Shanghai travel insurance guide.
• First hotel address written in Chinese and a screenshot of the booking. This helps at immigration and with taxi drivers.
• Copies of your passport, visa, and insurance in your bag and in cloud storage. Keep the originals separate from the copies.
• Passport photos only if you are applying for a visa, permit, or other official document. They are not needed for a normal tourist trip.
• A small amount of cash in yuan as a backup. Mobile payments dominate, but not every foreign card or phone will work everywhere. See the money guide.
• A physical bank card in addition to your phone. Carry them separately so a lost phone does not leave you with no way to pay.

Phone and connectivity

• Install and test your eSIM or roaming plan before departure. A local SIM is available at the airport and in city shops, but requires your passport and time.
• Arrange access to the international services you rely on. Many are blocked on mainland networks, and VPN availability and rules change. Do not assume an app that works at home will work in Shanghai.
• Download offline maps and a translation app, plus an offline Chinese language pack. Save key addresses as screenshots as well.
• Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before you travel if you can. Adding a foreign card is easier with a stable connection and your bank's verification to hand.
• Bring a power bank for long days of maps, translation, and payments. Keep it charged overnight.
• A spare charging cable is cheap insurance. Hotel rooms do not always have useful outlets near the bed.

Power and electronics

China's standard voltage is 220V, and the common plug types are A, C, and I. A universal adapter covers the usual hotel sockets. Check the input printed on each charger; most phone and laptop chargers are dual-voltage, but hair dryers and some small appliances are not.

• Universal adapter with a surge protector if you have expensive equipment.
• Power bank and charging cables.
• Headphones for trains and flights.
• Camera or phone you are comfortable carrying all day.
• A small dry bag or zip pouch for electronics during summer storms.

You do not need a voltage converter for a laptop or phone. You do need to check anything with a motor or heating element.

What to wear by season

Shanghai has four distinct seasons, and the official weather guide gives a useful baseline. Year-to-year variation is real, so check the forecast for your dates.

Spring (March to May)

The official seasonal average is around 11–21°C, but mornings and evenings can be much cooler. Spring rain is common.

Pack: light layers, a light waterproof jacket, a compact umbrella, comfortable walking shoes, and one warmer layer for cool evenings.

Summer (June to August)

Summer is hot and humid, with temperatures frequently above 35°C in July and August. The plum rain season runs from mid-June to early July, and afternoon thunderstorms are common. Peak typhoon season is generally late August to mid-September.

Pack: breathable, quick-drying clothing; a sun hat; sunscreen; insect repellent; a rain jacket or umbrella; sandals or shoes that survive rain; and a light layer for aggressive air conditioning.

Cotton feels cool until it is soaked with sweat. Synthetic or merino layers that dry quickly are more comfortable for long days outside.

Autumn (September to November)

Autumn is the most comfortable season for many visitors. Temperatures cool from around 25°C in early autumn to about 15°C by the end.

Pack: light layers, a light jacket for evenings, a compact umbrella, and comfortable walking shoes. Late November can feel genuinely cold in the wind.

Winter (December to February)

Winter is cold and damp, with an official average of 3–11°C. Humidity makes it feel colder than the temperature suggests, and indoor heating varies.

Pack: a warm coat, thermal base layers, gloves, a scarf, a hat, and waterproof shoes. Do not rely on indoor warmth; a damp chill can follow you into restaurants and museums.

A hot water bottle can be a cheap comfort if your hotel room feels cold.

Health and medication

• Prescription medication in its original packaging, with a doctor's letter and enough for your trip plus extra days. Some medicines that are routine at home may be restricted or unavailable in China; check before you fly. The FCDO advises checking with your doctor and the Chinese embassy.
• A basic first-aid kit: pain relief, plasters, rehydration salts, and any personal essentials.
• Tissues and hand sanitizer. Public toilets may not supply paper or soap.
• Sunscreen and insect repellent in summer. Mosquitoes are part of the humid season.
• A mask if you are sensitive to air quality or want one on crowded transport. Check the daily AQI rather than packing for a permanent emergency.
• Reusable water bottle only if you will refill it with safe water. Tap water is generally not safe to drink in China; use bottled or boiled water.

If you have a medical condition, carry a short summary in English and Chinese, plus your insurer's assistance number. The Shanghai healthcare guide explains hospitals and emergency care.

What you can buy locally

Do not fill your suitcase with things Shanghai already sells.

• Toiletries and pharmacy basics are widely available at convenience stores, supermarkets, and pharmacies.
• Umbrellas appear in shops and at metro exits when it rains. A compact travel umbrella is still worth bringing.
• Basic clothing is easy to buy if something gets ruined or you underestimate the weather.
• Bottled water and snacks are sold on almost every block.
• Universal adapters and cables are available, but quality varies. Bring your own if you are particular.

Bring your own prescription medication and any specific cosmetic or contact-lens product you rely on. Replacements may not match the brand or formulation you use.

What not to pack

• Too many outfits. Choose pieces that layer and mix, and plan to do laundry or use a hotel service.
• A second pair of heavy shoes. One broken-in walking pair and one lighter pair is usually enough.
• Heavy books. Use an e-reader or your phone.
• Expensive jewellery. Leave it at home unless you have a specific reason to bring it.
• Every gadget you own. More electronics means more chargers, adapters, and things to lose.
• Anything restricted by airline or Chinese customs rules. Check the current rules for knives, lighters, batteries, liquids, and medication before you pack.

Luggage and daily carry

• Choose a bag you can lift up stairs. Not every metro station has an easy lift, and escalators are crowded at rush hour.
• A carry-on works for a short city trip if you pack layers rather than options.
• Leave space for souvenirs. Shanghai's markets and shops are good at filling a suitcase.
• Use packing cubes to keep clean and dirty clothes separate.
• Bring a small day bag with a secure zip for your phone, passport, tissues, and a water bottle. A rain cover or zip-lock bag protects it in summer storms.

The bottom line

Pack for humidity, rain, and walking, not for a fashion shoot. Bring layers, comfortable shoes, your medication, and a phone that is ready for China's app ecosystem. Buy the bulky toiletries and umbrellas after you arrive. A lighter bag makes the metro, the stairs, and the last block to your hotel much easier.

Weather and entry rules change. Confirm with the official sources below before you travel.