If you’re traveling to Shanghai and going to spend a night in this dazzling city, don’t hesitate, take a Huangpu River night cruise. This is not just a boat ride, but a journey through light and time. On one side lies the nostalgic Bund, which takes you back to the 1940s, and on the other side stands the futuristic, sci-fi skyline of Lujiazui, as if it’s an entry to the year 2030.
During the cruise, you may feel like traveling between two eras in just 60 minutes. It reveals Shanghai in its most cinematic form.
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- Why Choose a Huangpu River Night Cruise
- What You Can See on the Cruise
- Huangpu River Cruise — Routes & Ticket Prices
- Best Time & Practical Tips
- Nearby Attractions
- Experience The Huangpu River Night Cruise with China Xian Tour
Why Choose a Huangpu River Night Cruise
- The most time-efficient way to see the “essence of Shanghai”: A Huangpu River night cruise allows you to see the city’s most iconic skyline in just 30–60 minutes.
- Cool breeze + night views together: The river wind will make it cooler on the boat than on land, offering comfortable summer nights.
- Perfect photography spot: From the middle of the river, you can clearly capture the scenes on both sides of the illuminated skyline without any pedestrian obstruction.
- Romantic and social atmosphere: Lights, music, and river breeze make it ideal for couples, families, or solo relaxation.
What You Can See on the Cruise
- When you’re on the boat, take a look at your left side, and there comes the elegance of old Shanghai. Then turn right to appreciate Shanghai’s ambition in building an even more prosperous future.
- “Three-Icon Skyline”: Shanghai Tower (632m), Shanghai World Financial Center, and Jin Mao Tower can all appear in the same frame, making it a perfect photography background.
- The Oriental Pearl TV Tower lights up at night with changing colors and is highly recognizable. When traveling along the Puxi side, you can also look for the green copper roof of the Peace Hotel and the clock tower of the Customs House.
West Bank: The Bund |
East Bank: Lujiazui |
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Architectural style |
52 classical buildings: Greek, Gothic, Baroque… like an “International Architecture Expo” |
Ultra-futuristic skyscrapers: Shanghai Tower (spiral), Shanghai World Financial Center (bottle opener), Jin Mao Tower (pagoda-shaped) |
Lighting feel |
Warm golden tones, like the color grading of old movies |
Cool white, ice blue, dynamic LED lighting, sci-fi movie aesthetic |
Historical role |
The “Oriental Wall Street” of the 1920s–1940s |
China’s “financial engine” since the 1990s |
Huangpu River Cruise — Routes & Ticket Prices
Vessel Types: Design & Atmosphere: There are various types of vessels, which differ in size, interior design, and onboard facilities. Many feature a modern, stylish design with contemporary lounges and bars, while others incorporate traditional Chinese aesthetics, creating a more classical and elegant atmosphere.
Passenger Capacity: Passenger capacity also varies greatly; some can only have 80 passengers, while some can have 1,000. With all the different vessels, you can freely choose according to your own preferences.
Cruise Duration & Routes: Cruise durations are also flexible, ranging from 30 minutes to 3 hours. Most cruises depart from piers near the Bund and sail toward the Yangpu Bridge or Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal. Later, they’ll return along the opposite bank back to the original departure point.
The most popular cruise is the 50-minute classic route, which operates both during the daytime and at night. Of course, the night section is especially recommended. When the shimmering city lights reflect on the river surface at nightfall, the whole view looks like a fascinating dream.
Around 5:00 pm, you'll be picked up by our local guide and driver at your Shanghai hotel lobby in the downtown area.
Classic 50-Minute Route Details
- Route: Shiliupu Wharf → Shanghai Tower → Shanghai World Financial Center → Jin Mao Tower → Oriental Pearl TV Tower→ Yangpu Bridge → Waibaidu Bridge → People’s Heroes Memorial → Peace Hotel → Customs House → return to pier
- Boarding location: Shiliupu Wharf (No. 531 Zhongshan East 2nd Road, Bund area)
- Duration: around 45–60 minutes
- Operating hours: Night cruises usually start from 18:00 and run until around 21:30.
- Departure interval: every 15–30 minutes
- Reference price: around 150 RMB (approx. 22 USD). This is a sightseeing-only ticket. Meals or snacks are not included.
Ticket Booking Methods
There are three booking methods recommended:
- Purchase tickets in person at the on-site at Shiliupu Wharf (No. 80 Wai Ma Road).
- You can also purchase online through official platforms or authorized ticket agents. If you need more information, feel free to consult us at any time.
- Many hotels also haveticket reservation service. You can check with your hotel in advance for booking support.
Best Time & Practical Tips
Based on our local guides’ experience, it is best to take the cruise on a clear evening in spring or autumn (March–May / September–November). Boarding in the late afternoon allows you to enjoy the last beam of warm sunshine and catch the moment when city lights begin to illuminate.
Lighting schedule: The buildings along both banks usually light up after dark (around 19:00). The best viewing time is from 19:00 to 21:00. During these few hours, you can experience the full lighting effect.
Tips to Enhance Your Experience
- Choose a good boat: Typically, visitors would like to opt for a cruise with a three-level open-air deck (such as the “Crystal Princess”). It offers much better viewing and photography angles.
- Dress appropriately: The river can be windy, so bring a light jacket. Light-colored clothing works better for night photography under the dazzling city lights.
- Boarding preparation: You may arrive at least 30 minutes early for ticket collection. Besides, security checks and boarding also take time, especially on weekends.
- Combine experiences: Don’t just focus on the cruise, as it can often be paired with other activities, such as an onboard buffet dinner or a walk along Nanjing Road after disembarking.
- Grab a hot drink: Coffee and tea are available on board (around 20–30 RMB/$2.8–$4.2 USD). Holding a warm drink while enjoying the night view makes everything more rewarding.
- Don’t just look at your phone: Turn off flash and take a few moments to simply watch the view in front of you. That’s when you truly feel the “breathing rhythm” of Shanghai.
- Walk after disembarking: After returning to the Bund, don’t head straight back to your hotel; maybe take a 10-minute walk along the riverside promenade and view the cruise from land. This brief moment offers a completely different perspective and emotion.
If you’re interested in this kind of combined travel experience, or want to know which pier is more convenient for boarding, feel free to reach out anytime.
How to spend 3 days in Shanghai? This 3-day guided Shanghai tour shows you the exact way to catch the essence of this fascinating city.
Nearby Attractions
- The Bund: This renowned spot is just steps from the pier, known as the “International Architecture Exhibition.” It is certainly a must-visit in Shanghai, don’t forget to take photos of the contrast between old and new Shanghai at Chen Yi Square.
- Yu Garden & City God Temple: It is within walking distance of Shiliupu Wharf. Here you can see the delicate design of a classical Chinese garden and walk along the lively traditional street market by the waterfront.
- Lujiazui: You can find it directly across the river from the cruise; Lujiazui is Shanghai’s most iconic skyscraper district. It is recommended to go up the Shanghai Tower or the Oriental Pearl TV Tower for a panoramic night view of the city.
- Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street: Known as “China’s No.1 Commercial Street,” Nanjing Road is filled with neon lights, shopping, and a vibrant nightlife atmosphere.
Experience The Huangpu River Night Cruise with China Xian Tour
On the west bank, The Bund takes you back to 1840, when British, American, and French banks and trading houses were established here. Take a short walk, you may suddenly catch a piece of memory of it being the most prosperous commercial center in Asia at that time.
On the east bank, Lujiazui has been Shanghai’s important financial special zone since 1990. In just 30 years, it transformed from farmland into one of the world’s most concentrated skylines of skyscrapers.
So what you see on the cruise is a condensed century of China’s transformation—from the “opening of the treaty ports” to “reform and opening-up.”
China Xian Tour can craft you a Shanghai itinerary that includes all the highlights, such as the Huangpu River cruise, city sightseeing, dining experiences, and seamless transportation support. We’ll make sure every moment of this journey is rewarding and pleasant.
Feel free to contact us; we will help you design a smooth and memorable travel experience.
