The Bund's colonial facades ablaze, Pudong's towers reflected in dark water
Hand-picked by our editors — only the best 3 cruise options from 12 reviewed.
Verified partners for Huangpu River Night Cruise tours, free cancellation where available, and instant confirmation on every booking.
1 hr 45 min
Glide past Shanghai's glittering waterfront on an evening river voyage with VIP commentary options
Reserve
1 hr
Sail past illuminated landmarks on a one-hour nighttime voyage along Shanghai's iconic waterway
Reserve
3 hr 30 min
Evening river journey past illuminated Bund landmarks and Lujiazui towers with onboard dining
ReservePrices from verified partners. Availability updates in real time at checkout. Free cancellation policies apply where shown.
The landmarks, rooms, and views travelers on Huangpu River Night Cruise tours remember — all visible on a single visit.
Historic colonial-era buildings illuminate the riverbank with golden light.
This iconic sphere-topped tower stands as a symbol of modern Shanghai.
Standing at 632 meters, this is one of the tallest structures globally.
An architectural marvel blending traditional pagoda style with modern steel.
A historic steel truss bridge connecting the two districts of Shanghai.
Every Huangpu River Night Cruise tour side-by-side — duration, what's included, how you redeem.
| Experience | Duration | Rating | Lunch | Guide | Free cancel. | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Luxury / Private Most popular
Huangpu River Luxury Night Cruise
|
1 hr 45 min | ★ 4.5 | — | ✓ | ✓ | €24 | Book → |
|
Standard Entry
Shanghai Huangpu River Evening Cruise
|
1 hr | ★ 5.0 | — | — | ✓ | €29 | Book → |
|
Standard Entry
Huangpu River Dragon Cruise with Buffet Dinner
|
3 hr 30 min | ★ 4.2 | ✓ | — | ✓ | €61 | Book → |
All prices from verified partners. Availability and exact terms confirmed at checkout.
They complement each other; most visitors who do both find that the boat journey provides a more relaxing perspective, while the waterfront promenade offers greater freedom for photography.
| Feature | Top pick River Cruise | Bund Walking |
|---|---|---|
Viewing Angle |
Panoramic water-level perspective | Ground-level linear perspective |
Flexibility |
Fixed departure schedule | Go at your own pace |
Crowd Levels |
Reserved seating areas | High density on walkways |
Cost |
120 CNY per person | Free of charge |
Interaction with the Skyline |
Distant sweeping vantage | Close contact with architecture |
| See tickets → |
Verdict: Choose the huangpu river night cruise tours for a seated experience, or opt for the walking tour to capture Shanghai landmarks from multiple angles at your leisure with huangpu river night cruise tickets secured for a separate visit.
Choose your ticket, select your date, and reserve in under two minutes. Secure checkout handled by our verified partner.
Instant confirmation by email, with a mobile voucher you can save offline. No printing, no queuing at a collection desk.
Arrive at the entrance, show your voucher on your phone, and walk in. Most tickets include priority or skip-the-line access.
Practical details for Huangpu River Night Cruise tickets straight from our verified partners — hours, access, rules, and how to get there.
Casual attire is appropriate for all huangpu river night cruise tours, but consider a light jacket for the open-air deck as river winds can be chilly.
All passengers must pass through security screenings at the terminal before boarding any huangpu river night cruise tour vessel.
Photography is encouraged throughout your huangpu river night cruise tour, especially from the upper deck where you can capture the skyline.
While the main terminal and many larger vessels are wheelchair accessible, some older boats may have limited facilities for guests with mobility issues.
Mobile phones are permitted. Keep ringer off inside exhibition spaces.
Families are welcome, and children under 130cm may qualify for complimentary passage, though dinner surcharges often apply on specialized boats.
Basic sightseeing tickets for a huangpu river night cruise do not include meals, but premium dinner cruises with buffet services are available at select times.
Pets are not allowed, with the exception of service animals with appropriate documentation.
Last entry is typically 1 hour before closing. Check the specific ticket for timing.
Best time to go, insider tips, nearby landmarks, and the cancellation fine print — flip through to skim what matters to you.
Flexible, no hidden fees.
Standard tickets for a huangpu river night cruise are generally non-refundable once booked. Please verify specific operator terms regarding 120 CNY standard fares before purchase.
The Huangpu River divides Shanghai into two distinct eras. The western bank holds the Bund, where twenty-six neoclassical buildings erected between 1843 and 1937 catalog the city's colonial chapter.
The eastern bank presents Pudong, a district that emerged from marshland after 1990 and now claims the world's second-tallest observation deck. After sunset, both shores activate synchronized LED installations that convert 5.2 kilometers of waterfront into a vertical light show. The contrast between Art Deco cornices and steel-clad supertalls compresses 150 years of architectural evolution into a single sightline.
Huangpu River night cruise tours departed from Shiliupu Wharf as early as 1994, when the Oriental Pearl Tower stood alone across the water. The route has remained unchanged since 2003. Vessels travel north past the Bund's illuminated facades, pivot at Waibaidu Bridge, then return south along the Pudong shore. The 45-minute loop covers 10 kilometers. Most departures occur between 18:00 and 21:00, timed to coincide with the Bund's main lighting sequence. The river itself measures 113 kilometers from source to mouth, but the tourist corridor occupies only the final stretch before the Yangtze confluence.
Standard Huangpu River night cruise tickets grant access to open-air upper decks and enclosed lower salons. Vessels range from retrofitted cargo ferries to purpose-built tourist craft with floor-to-ceiling glass. The fleet operates year-round, though autumn and spring deliver the clearest visibility. Winter fog occasionally obscures the skyline, while summer heat drives most passengers indoors. The municipal government requires all cruise operators to use electric or hybrid propulsion within the central district, a regulation enforced since 2018. Noise levels remain low enough for conversation on deck.
Pudong's skyline underwent its most recent transformation in 2024, when three new supertalls joined the established triad of Shanghai Tower, Shanghai World Financial Center, and Jin Mao Tower. The Bund's lighting program updates every five years. The current iteration emphasizes warm tones on pre-1920 structures and cool tones on Art Deco facades. Cruise commentary is available in Mandarin, English, and Japanese via handheld receivers. The narration script references specific buildings by name and construction date, though it omits political context from the 1930s and 1940s. Photographers favor the upper deck's forward rail, where tripods are permitted if secured. The Huangpu River night cruise schedule extends latest on weekends, with final departures at 21:30.
"After sunset, both shores activate synchronized LED installations that convert 5.2 kilometers of waterfront into a vertical light show."
A step-by-step walkthrough of Huangpu River Night Cruise tickets — what you'll see, how long each stage takes, and the details that matter.
You board at Shiliupu Wharf, where ticket attendants direct you to the upper deck or enclosed salon. The vessel departs within five minutes of the scheduled time.
As the gangway retracts, the Bund's full length comes into view—the Customs House clock tower, the domed former Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank, the stepped pinnacle of the Sassoon House. You move to the starboard rail. The cruise progresses north at 12 kilometers per hour, slow enough to distinguish individual windows in the colonial facades.
At Waibaidu Bridge, the vessel executes a wide turn. Pudong's towers now fill the eastern frame. You cross to the port side. The Oriental Pearl Tower's pink spheres align with the Shanghai Tower's twisting silhouette. The water reflects each structure in elongated streaks of blue and gold. You descend to the lower salon for the return leg, where floor-to-ceiling glass eliminates glare. The narration identifies each supertall by height and completion year. By 20:15, the vessel re-approaches Shiliupu. You return to the upper deck for final photographs as the Bund's lighting program peaks at full intensity. Disembarkation takes three minutes.
The terminal is open daily from 11:00–21:30 to accommodate various sailing schedules.
A standard 45-minute huangpu river night cruise ticket is 120 CNY per person.
For optimal viewing of the illuminated skyline, the best arrival window is 18:00–21:00.
Your huangpu river night cruise departs from Shiliupu Wharf, No. 551 Zhongshan East 2nd Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai.
Yes, families are welcome, and many operators offer special policies for children during the huangpu river night cruise tour.
While private snacks are sometimes permitted, it is recommended to enjoy the onboard refreshments available during your huangpu river night cruise.
Yes, photography is permitted and highly encouraged during every huangpu river night cruise tour.
A standard huangpu river night cruise tour lasts approximately 45 minutes.
Accessibility varies by vessel; please check with the specific operator for your huangpu river night cruise tickets.
