Shanghai Sunrise & Sunset: October 2026

October Sunrise & Sunset in Shanghai: Complete Monthly Guide

In October 2026, Shanghai has an average of 11h 26m of daylight per day. Sunrise times range from 05:48 at the start of the month to 06:09 at the end, while sunset shifts from 17:41 to 17:08.

October in Shanghai brings shortening autumn days. Average sunrise in October is 05:58 and average sunset is 17:23. The daily table above shows the exact sunrise and sunset time for each day of the month.

Day Length Variation in October

Day length in Shanghai in October changes throughout the month. Near the solstices (June 21 for the northern hemisphere, December 21 for the southern hemisphere), day length changes very slowly, less than 1 minute per day. Near the equinoxes (March 20 and September 22), day length changes rapidly, gaining or losing 2 to 4 minutes per day depending on latitude.

At Shanghai's latitude of 31.2°, the rate of day length change in October is approximately 1 to 2 minutes per day during the weeks furthest from the solstices. This means that sunrise in Shanghai shifts by approximately 20 to 40 minutes over the course of October.

Golden Hour in Shanghai in October

Golden hour in Shanghai in October occurs twice each day: in the morning shortly after sunrise, and in the evening before sunset. The duration depends on the sun's angle of elevation above the horizon, which varies with latitude and month. In Octoberat Shanghai's latitude of 31.2°, golden hour lasts approximately 40 to 65 minutes.

For photographers planning shoots in Shanghai in October: plan to arrive at your location 30 to 40 minutes before the listed sunrise time to capture blue hour before golden hour begins. The transition from blue hour to golden hour creates the most dramatic color sequences. Evening golden hour in October begins about 45 to 60 minutes before sunset and produces warmer, more orange tones than the morning session.

Blue Hour and Twilight in Shanghai in October

Civil twilight in Shanghai in October begins before sunrise and ends after sunset, creating windows of usable natural light even outside the official sunrise-to-sunset window. Civil twilight occurs when the sun is between 0 and 6 degrees below the horizon. Nautical twilight spans 6 to 12 degrees below the horizon. Astronomical twilight spans 12 to 18 degrees below the horizon.

The total twilight window in Shanghai in October extends the usable light day by approximately 45 to 70 minutes beyond the sunrise-to-sunset window. This extended twilight is valuable for photographers who want to shoot in soft, diffused light without harsh shadows.

Photography Tips for October in Shanghai

Shooting in Shanghai in October requires adapting to the season's specific light quality and timing. Camera settings for sunrise photography in October:

• Blue hour: ISO 800 to 1,600; aperture f/8; shutter speed 10 to 30 seconds on tripod.
• Golden hour: ISO 100 to 400; aperture f/8 to f/16 for landscapes, or f/1.8 to f/2.8 for portraits; shutter speed 1/250 to 1/1,000s handheld.
• Post-sunrise (30 minutes after): ISO 100; aperture f/11; shutter speed 1/500 to 1/2,000s.

In October, Shanghai's weather patterns affect photography conditions. Check cloud cover forecasts the evening before a planned shoot: a thin layer of clouds above the horizon creates more dramatic golden and orange tones than a clear sky. Fully overcast conditions produce flat, diffused light that is good for portraits but lacks the dramatic quality of golden hour. Partly cloudy skies create the most dramatic conditions.

About This Monthly Sunrise Data

All sunrise and sunset times in this October table for Shanghai are calculated using Jean Meeus astronomical algorithms, implemented via the SunCalc library. Calculations use the coordinates of Shanghai (31.2304°, 121.4737°) and the local timezone (Asia/Shanghai). Times are accurate to within 1 minute and account for atmospheric refraction.

The times shown are for the center of the sun crossing the horizon. Sunrise is defined as the moment when the upper limb of the sun first appears above the mathematical horizon. Sunset is when the upper limb disappears below the horizon. Both definitions account for atmospheric refraction, which lifts the apparent position of the sun by approximately 0.5 to 1 degree near the horizon.

Frequently Asked Questions: October Sunrise & Sunset in Shanghai

What is the average sunrise time in Shanghai in October?

The average sunrise time in Shanghai in October 2026 is approximately 05:58. This is based on the mid-month calculation for Shanghai at latitude 31.23° and longitude 121.47°. Actual daily sunrise times vary from 05:48 on the first of the month to 06:09 on the last day. See the full daily table above for exact times.

How many hours of daylight does Shanghai get in October?

Shanghai receives an average of 11h 26m of daylight per day in October 2026. This is calculated as the difference between sunrise and sunset and does not include twilight periods. Day length varies from 11h 53m on the first of the month to 10h 59m on the last day.

What is the earliest sunrise in Shanghai in October?

The earliest sunrise in Shanghai in October 2026 occurs on 2026-10-01 at 05:48. The latest sunrise in the month occurs on 2026-10-31 at 06:09.

What time is golden hour in Shanghai in October?

Golden hour in Shanghai in October occurs twice daily. Morning golden hour begins at sunrise (05:58 at mid-month) and lasts approximately 40 to 65 minutes. Evening golden hour begins approximately 45 to 60 minutes before sunset (17:23 at mid-month). The precise start of golden hour is when the sun's altitude drops below 6 degrees above the horizon.

Is October a good time to photograph sunrise in Shanghai?

October is a strong month for sunrise photography in Shanghai. Autumn light has a distinctive warm quality, sunrise at 05:58 is at a comfortable time, and the lower sun angle produces extended golden hour periods compared to summer.

When does civil twilight start in Shanghai in October?

Civil twilight in Shanghai in October begins approximately 20 to 30 minutes before sunrise and ends 20 to 30 minutes after sunset. At Shanghai's latitude of 31.2°, civil twilight in October starts around 05:33 in the morning. Civil twilight provides enough light for outdoor activities without artificial lighting and is considered the beginning of the usable photography window each day.