Shanghai events & things to do in October 2027
Start with The Bund, Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street, plus Yu Garden & Old City. October in Shanghai averages 23°C / 74°F highs, 16°C / 61°F nights, and about 7 rainy days.
Expect 23°C/74°F days and about 7 rainy ones in October. Start with these:
- The Bund★ 4.7 · 7.7k reviewsThe Bund runs along the west bank of the Huangpu River with colonial-era banking and trading buildings from Shanghai's concession years.
- Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street★ 4.6 · 2.3k reviewsNanjing Road East runs from the Bund toward People's Square and is fully pedestrianized for the core commercial stretch.
By TripSapien · Updated October 29, 2026
Shanghai in October 2027
Weather
TempTemperature
74°F / 61°F
23.3°C / 16°C
RainPrecipitation
7d
2.2in · 55mm
LightDaylight
11.2h
October is Shanghai's strongest month for walking, Suzhou gardens, and clear Lujiazui skyline views.
Holidays, observances & long weekends
Holiday and observance schedules can affect services and venue hours; confirm each place directly.
- Oct 1National DayPublic holiday
- Oct 2National DayPublic holiday
- Oct 3National DayPublic holiday
- Oct 1-Oct 3Long weekend
About Shanghai
City overview
Shanghai is a Huangpu River city split between older Puxi and Pudong, whose Lujiazui skyline rose after 1990 across from the Bund's concession-era banks. First-timers need five mental districts: Huangpu for the Bund, Nanjing Road, People's Square, and the Old City; Jing'an for high-end westward shopping; the French Concession for lanes and cafes; Pudong for towers; and Hongqiao for transport.
Food & drink
Shanghai food leans sweet, rich, and river-delta specific: xiaolongbao, shengjianbao, hongshao rou, scallion oil noodles, drunken chicken, crab roe noodles, and hairy crab in autumn are the key dishes. Yuyuan Bazaar, Huanghe Road near Nanjing Road, the French Concession, and old-school local restaurants around People's Square make the map; the city is pricier than most mainland Chinese cities but still cheaper than Hong Kong or Tokyo for neighborhood meals.
Top sights
Ranked for October suitability using weather, setting, ratings, and review volume.
- 1Yu Garden & Old City
- 2Shanghai Tower & Lujiazui
- 3Oriental Pearl Tower
- 4Huangpu River ferry
- 5French Concession lanes
- 6Jing'an Temple
- 7People's Square & Shanghai Museum
- 8Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center
1Yu Garden & Old City
4.6★ · 977outdoorThe Old City is the nearly 1,000-year walled core, and Yu Garden is the classical garden set-piece beside bazaar lanes. Use Yuyuan Garden station rather than trying to approach through Bund traffic.
2Shanghai Tower & Lujiazui
4.6★ · 3,290outdoorOpen dailyLujiazui in Pudong stacks the Shanghai Tower, Shanghai World Financial Center, Jin Mao Tower, and Oriental Pearl Tower across the river from the Bund. The Shanghai Tower is the tallest building in China.
Observation decks are weather-sensitive; haze or low cloud can make the Bund promenade a better value than tower tickets.
3Oriental Pearl Tower
4.6★ · 7,631outdoorThe Oriental Pearl Tower is the older Pudong skyline icon beside Lujiazui station and the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel exit. It works best as a landmark for the ferry-and-Lujiazui route.
Wikipedia
Show 5 more sights
4Huangpu River ferry
The local ferry from the Bund area to Pudong takes about 15 minutes and costs far less than the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel. It is the practical way to turn the skyline view into a river crossing.
5French Concession lanes
The former French Concession keeps shikumen houses, plane-tree streets, small boutiques, cafes, and nightlife around areas such as Xintiandi, Tianzifang, Wukang Road, and Huaihai Road. It is the best district for slow walking after the Bund.
6Jing'an Temple
Jing'an Temple is a Buddhist landmark more than 1,500 years old, now surrounded by Nanjing Road West malls and towers. Metro lines 2, 7, and 14 make it a useful west-side anchor.
Wikipedia7People's Square & Shanghai Museum
People's Square sits on the former colonial racecourse and now holds one of Shanghai's busiest metro interchanges under the park. The Shanghai Museum at 201 Renmin Avenue anchors the south side of the square.
8Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center
The museum on People's Square explains Shanghai through city models and development exhibits, making the Puxi-Pudong split easier to understand before a tower visit. It pairs naturally with Shanghai Museum.
Wikipedia
Neighborhoods
1Huangpu, Bund & People's Square
Huangpu is the ceremonial centre: the Bund, Nanjing Road East, People's Square, Shanghai Museum, Old City, and Yu Garden cluster around the river and metro Line 2.
2Pudong & Lujiazui
Pudong is the post-1990 skyline, with Lujiazui towers, malls, river promenades, Century Avenue, and the Maglev-side airport route. It is impressive but less intimate than Puxi.
3French Concession
The French Concession is Shanghai at walking speed: shikumen lanes, Xintiandi, Tianzifang, boutiques, cafes, Huaihai Road, and leafy residential streets.
Show 27 more neighborhoods
- 4Jing'an & Nanjing Road West
Jing'an is high-end Puxi, with Jing'an Temple, West Nanjing Road malls, hotels, offices, and easy Line 2 airport-side movement.
- 5Xuhui & Xujiahui
Xuhui stretches the French Concession feeling southwest into Xujiahui shopping, churches, universities, and residential lanes. It is strong for cafes and longer stays.
- 6Hongqiao
Hongqiao is the transport-and-convention side, with the airport, railway station, exhibition traffic, and suburban hotels. It is practical for trains and business, not the first sightseeing base.
- 71933 Old Millfun
A complex of restaurants and shops housed in former slaughterhouse buildings, showcasing a mix of dining and retail options. The area reflects its historical roots while offering a unique atmosphere for visitors.
- 8Beizhan
- 9Bund
The Bund features old colonial-era buildings and is a popular starting point for many visitors. It is located next to Shanghai's Old Town, which adds to the area's historical significance.
- 10Changning
Attractions like the Shanghai Zoo and several large shopping malls. It's primarily a residential area, so it may not have the same energy as more tourist-heavy districts.
- 11Chen Yi Square
- 12Chuansha
- 13Dabazi
- 14Duolun Road
- 15Hongkou
Historically a hub for Cantonese and Japanese residents and the first major film screening center in Shanghai.
- 16Huaihai Road
One of Shanghai's major shopping streets, favored by locals for its upscale vibe compared to the tourist-heavy Nanjing Road. The central section, Middle Huaihai Road, runs through the former French Concession and includes several boutiques and cafes along Avenue Joffre.
- 17Huangpu
Home to the famous Bund. Don't forget to explore Nanjing Road for shopping and street food, especially the local dumplings.
- 18Jiading District
嘉定区 in Shanghai features the Shanghai Auto Museum, a specialty museum with vintage vehicles and classic cars across multiple floors.
- 19Jiangwan Zhen
- 20Jing'an
The Jing'an Temple, a historic Buddhist temple surrounded by modern skyscrapers and shopping malls. The area is also known for its trendy cafes and nightlife along Nanjing West Road.
- 21Jing'an District
- 22Jinqiao
A high proportion of foreign nationals and many international schools, creating a comfortable environment. However, be cautious as some massage centers still operate under cover of the area's past issues.
- 23Jinshan District
Several beaches along its 23.3-kilometer shoreline, attracting tourists for sunbathing and water activities. The area is also known for its proximity to Dajinshan Island, which is the highest point in Shanghai municipality.
- 24Lan Ni Du
Lan Ni Du has local stops such as the Bund, a historic waterside promenade, and luxury shopping at IFC Mall and Super Brand Mall. For dining, Hakkasan serves high-end Cantonese cuisine, known for its dim sum and Peking duck with caviar.
- 25Minhang District
A suburban residential area with factories and production facilities. It contains the Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena, the Neolithic Ruins of Maqiao, and the tourist attraction Qibao.
- 26Nanxiang
- 27Oriental Land
- 28People's Square
A large public square located south of Nanjing Road (West) and north of Huaihai Road (East). It serves as a central hub with access to various attractions and activities in the area.
- 29Pudong
An ultra-modern business hub with high-rise buildings, including some of the world's tallest. It's located on the eastern side of the Huang Pu River.
- 30Putuo
Day trips
100km / about 30m by high-speed train from Shanghai Hongqiao
Suzhou
Suzhou is the classical-garden and canal day trip, with scholar gardens, old lanes, and enough rail frequency for an easy full day. It is the first choice for a non-skyscraper contrast.
175km / about 45m by high-speed train from Shanghai Hongqiao
Hangzhou
Hangzhou centers on West Lake, silk shopping, tea hills, and Buddhist cave sites. Spring and fall are the strongest seasons, but weekends bring heavy domestic crowds.
50km / about 1h by Metro Line 17 from Hongqiao Railway Station
Zhujiajiao
Zhujiajiao is the easiest water-town half-day from Shanghai, with canals, stone bridges, and snack streets. It is touristy but much simpler than a private-car water-town itinerary.
Getting around
Shanghai Metro is the visitor backbone, especially Line 2 for Pudong Airport, Longyang Road, Lujiazui, East Nanjing Road, People's Square, Jing'an Temple, Hongqiao Airport, and Hongqiao Railway Station. The Maglev runs from Pudong Airport to Longyang Road, while the cheap Huangpu ferry beats the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel for crossing between the Bund and Pudong.
Planning a Shanghai trip?
Add your dates and we'll check every place for closures, limited hours, and booking needs in October.
Common questions about Shanghai in October
- What to pack for Shanghai in October
Pack for October's weather, not a generic Shanghai checklist.
- Layerable daytime clothes for average highs around 23°C / 74°F.
- A light evening layer because nights average 16°C / 61°F.
- A small umbrella or packable shell for scattered rain across about 7 days.
- How many days do you need in Shanghai
- 4 days covers the main Shanghai highlights at a realistic pace. Add 3 extra days if you want the listed day trips.
- Is Shanghai worth visiting in October
- Yes. October in Shanghai averages 23°C / 74°F highs, 16°C / 61°F nights, and about 7 rainy days.
Ready to plan Shanghai?
You've seen what's on — now get a day-by-day Shanghai plan for October 2027, every place checked for your exact dates.