Based on the monthly precipitation data of 11 meteorological stations from 1971 to 2010, the paper used the methods such as linear regression, Mann-Kendall test and the inverse distance weighted interpolation to analyze the temporal and spatial variation characteristics of precipitation in Shanghai from 1971 to 2010.The results indicate that there were not significant increase in the long-term mean annual precipitation in recent 40 years.The seasonal precipitation showed various trend ,the spring and autumn precipitation faintly decreased .While the precipitation in summer and winter showed an increasing trend,especially that in winter was obvious. Spatially, the annual and autumn precipitation decreased from east to west, while the spring and winter precipitation increased from north to south. The annual and seasonal precipitation and their trends presented the characteristics of difference and consistency, among which the annual and summer precipitation were positively correlated with their trends, increased from the western inland to the east coast and decreased from urban district to suburb. The results can provide a scientific basis for recognizing regional response to global climate change, and provide a reference for the management of water resources and the response flood disaster in Shanghai.