Top cities in China
The Bund waterfront and the towers of Pudong, with shopping and restaurants.
The Forbidden City, with the Great Wall close by.
Canton Tower, the wholesale markets and the Canton Fair.
Green limestone peaks along the Li River, among China's most beautiful scenery.
Towering stone pillars rising out of forest and mist.
Weather in Shanghai by month
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | 9° | 11° | 15° | 21° | 26° | 29° | 33° | 33° | 29° | 24° | 18° | 11° |
| Low | 3° | 4° | 8° | 13° | 18° | 22° | 26° | 26° | 23° | 17° | 11° | 5° |
| Rain (mm) | 72 | 65 | 97 | 84 | 91 | 225 | 163 | 226 | 132 | 70 | 61 | 50 |
| Month | High | Low | Rain (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 9° | 3° | 72 |
| Feb | 11° | 4° | 65 |
| Mar | 15° | 8° | 97 |
| Apr | 21° | 13° | 84 |
| May | 26° | 18° | 91 |
| Jun | 29° | 22° | 225 |
| Jul | 33° | 26° | 163 |
| Aug | 33° | 26° | 226 |
| Sep | 29° | 23° | 132 |
| Oct | 24° | 17° | 70 |
| Nov | 18° | 11° | 61 |
| Dec | 11° | 5° | 50 |
Source: Xujiahui station, 1991–2020 normals, in degrees Celsius.
Best time to visit China
Spring (April and May) and autumn (September to November) are the loveliest times, with mild weather.
Summer is hot, humid and rainy, especially in June.
Winter is cold in Shanghai and colder in Beijing.
Before you travel
- Google apps and WhatsApp are blocked in China, so arrange messaging and maps before you travel.
- Mobile payment with Alipay and WeChat Pay is the norm, and both can be linked to an international card.
- Halal restaurants are common in the big cities, especially Uyghur and Lanzhou noodle restaurants.
Flights to China
Hotels in China: the best areas to stay
Frequently asked questions
Do Saudis need a visa for China?
No, Saudis can enter visa-free for up to 30 days under a waiver valid until 31 December 2026.
Are there direct flights from Riyadh to China?
Yes, to Guangzhou, to Beijing from November 2026 and to Shanghai from 18 November 2026.
Does WhatsApp work in China?
No, WhatsApp and Google apps are blocked, so arrange alternatives before you travel.
Last updated: October 2026. The information is for guidance only; entry requirements and flight schedules change. Please check the official requirements before travel. The binding price is the one in your booking confirmation.