If you are going to explore Shanghai during the May Day holiday, here is some information for you.
City light-up schedule
There will be no special light shows along the Huangpu River. But Shanghai's iconic sites, including the Bund, North Bund, Lujiazui, and Suzhou Creek, will be illuminated with colorful and dynamic displays.
Check out their schedules here:
Core areas (Bund, North Bund, Lujiazui, and elevated roads shaped like "申")
April 30 to May 5, from 6pm to 11pm
Suzhou Creek waterfront and major commercial hubs
April 30 to May 5, from 6pm to 10:30pm
Major media facades along the Huangpu River
Iconic buildings like Aurora Plaza, Citigroup Tower, Shanghai Tower, and White Magnolia Plaza will display Labor Day-themed videos.
April 30 to May 5, shown every hour and half-hour from 6pm to 10:30pm
Nightlights along both sides of Shanghai's Huangpu River
Weather: mostly clear skies but expect brief showers
Shanghai is set to enjoy mostly sunny and travel-friendly conditions during the May Day holiday from May 1 to 5.
Brief showers or thunderstorms may occur on May 1 and May 5, but the rest of the holiday is expected to be dry and clear – ideal for outdoor activities.
Temperatures will climb during the first half of the holiday, with daytime highs peaking at 33 degrees Celsius on May 3.
A cold front will move in on the afternoon of May 3, bringing cooler daytime highs of 22-25 degrees on May 4-5.
Strong winds are forecast from the evening of May 2 through May 3.
The Shanghai Meteorological Bureau advises residents and visitors to take sun protection measures during the early holiday heat and stay informed about weather and traffic updates as wind and rain may affect travel plans.
Travel tips for the holiday
Shanghai's railway stations expect about 4.46 million departures and 4.4 million arrivals during the May Day holiday, both up from last year.
Peak crowds are forecast on May 1, 2, and 5, with over 650,000 passengers each day. Officials urge travelers to plan ahead and steer clear of peak hours.
Crowds of travelers at Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station
Local traffic services
In response to the expected large passenger flows, Shanghai Metro is rolling out the following measures:
April 30 to May 3: Lines 1, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 13 will extend service until midnight.
May 4 to May 5: Extra trains will run on Lines 1, 2, 10, and 17, covering major hubs like Hongqiao Railway Station, Shanghai Railway Station, and Shanghai South Railway Station. Line 9 and the Airport Express Line will also be on standby.
Additionally, bus services near major railway hubs will increase capacity, while taxi and ride-hailing platforms will dynamically dispatch more vehicles to ensure smooth passenger transfers.
Check out the details as below:
East Najing Rd Station on Line 2 and Line 10, and Yuyuan Garden Station on Line 14 will be closed after 4pm every day between May 1 and 5. Yuyuan Garden Station on Line 10 will operate as usual.