Shanghai Tickets

Cruise Through Shanghai - Discover, Dine & Relax

Panoramic Views
Panoramic Views
Frequent Departures
Frequent Departures
Sightseeing & Onboard Meal Options
Sightseeing & Onboard Meal Options
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How Headout makes choosing experiences effortless

We curate the best ways to experience

We research and organise all unique experiences - from tickets to tours to special combos - so you get all the choices without the clutter.

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Quick overview

  • Ticket options: Choose a 45–60 minute standard sightseeing cruise, a 90–120 minute dinner cruise, or a 1-hour private yacht charter. Combo tickets also pair the cruise with a city sightseeing bus, the Guanfu Museum, Oriental Pearl Tower, or Shanghai Tower 118F.

  • Boat types & onboard experience: Most Huangpu River Cruise boats are multi-deck sightseeing vessels with indoor cabins and open-air upper decks. Private charters come in small 45–50ft, medium 53–63ft, and large 65–78ft yachts.

  • Boarding points & piers: This collection includes departures from Shiliupu Pier, Jinling East Pier, and Oriental Pearl Tower Pier. Tickets are pier-specific, so check your voucher carefully before you travel.

  • Routes & sights: Standard routes cover the central Huangpu stretch between the Bund and Pudong skyline. Common views include the Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai Tower, Bund facades, and, on some routes, major bridges like Nanpu or Yangpu.

  • Dining & premium experiences: Dinner cruises add either a buffet dinner or a private dining room onboard. Combo products change the land-side add-on, not the core river-sightseeing experience.

  • Queues & access: Pre-booked QR tickets may skip the ticket-purchase line, but security and boarding still apply. Peak 7pm–9pm departures, especially on weekends and holidays, can mean roughly 20–60 minutes of total waiting.

  • Good to know: Night cruises are the main draw, and many riverfront lights switch off around 10pm; commentary is usually minimal and often Chinese-first. If you want a longer, seated format, upgrade to a dinner cruise.

​Know your cruise options ↓

Find your best Huangpu River cruise match here

Cruise typeBoarding pointIncludesDurationWhy pick thisCancellation policyPrice fromBook

Huangpu River Sightseeing Cruise

Shiliupu/Jinling East/Nanpu/Mercedes-Benz Arena/Oriental Pearl Pier

Sightseeing cruise with commentary

45–60 min

See both banks in 45–60 min, easy fit after a Bund walk

These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

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Huangpu River Dinner Cruise

Shiliupu Cruise Terminal

Huangpu River cruise, dinner served on board

2h

Turns the route into a 2h evening, slower pace than 45–60 min rides

These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

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Huangpu River 1-Hour Private Yacht Charter

Huangpu River waterfront in central Shanghai.

1-hour private yacht charter via Bund and Lujiazui, complimentary water & soft drinks, indoor lounge, bedroom, bathroom, and KTV

1h

Keep your group together for 1h, more privacy than shared boats

These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

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Huangpu River Cruise + City Sightseeing Bus 1-Day Pass

Shiliupu Pier

Huangpu River cruise, access to the 3rd-floor open deck, sightseeing bus 1-day pass, audio commentary or broadcast on the ship, paid parking available at the terminal

1 day

Cover river views and city stops in 1 day, useful for fixed plans

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

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Huangpu River Cruise + Shanghai Guanfu Museum Entry

Shiliupu Pier

Entry to Shanghai Guanfu Museum, Huangpu River Cruise (general admission), broadcast commentary on the ship, access to 1st and 2nd floor indoor seating areas, access to the 3rd-floor open deck

45–60 min + visit

Stretch a 45–60 min ride into a broader outing, adds an indoor stop

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

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Huangpu River Cruise + Oriental Pearl Tower Entry

Oriental Pearl River Cruise Terminal

Tower Two-Sphere sightseeing entry, First Class cruise ticket

45–60 min + visit

Get 2 skyline perspectives in one outing

These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

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Huangpu River Cruise + Shanghai Tower 118F Observation Deck

Shiliupu Pier

Entry to the 118th-floor Shanghai Tower observation deck, Huangpu River cruise general admission, Indoor seating on the 1st and 2nd floors of the ship, broadcast commentary on the ship

45–60 min + visit

See Shanghai from river level and 118F

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

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What to expect on your Huangpu River cruise

Shanghai skyline at night with skyscrapers, Huangpu River, and boat at Shiliupu Tourist Wharf.
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Board from central river piers

Departures start at Shiliupu Pier, Jinling East Pier, or Oriental Pearl Tower Pier, depending on your ticket. After ticket scanning and security, you join the boarding line and settle in at the pier before sailing.

Choose your viewing deck

Most boats combine enclosed cabins with open-air upper decks, though rail space can fill fast. Indoor seats help in wind or rain; outside, you get cleaner skyline views and better photo angles at night overall.

See old and new Shanghai

The core stretch sets the Bund’s Customs House and Peace Hotel opposite Pudong icons like the Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai World Financial Centre, and Shanghai Tower. Unlike a Bund walk, both banks stay in view.

Follow the river bends

As the boat turns, the skyline keeps reassembling: broad Bund sights give way to closer views of towers, and some longer routes reach Nanpu or Yangpu Bridge. Moving sides during the ride changes the photos.

Expect basic commentary onboard

This is mostly a visual experience, not a heavily guided tour. Commentary is often minimal and Chinese-first, while most vessels also have restrooms and simple snack or drink counters for short Huangpu River cruises.

Pick longer or private sailings

Standard sailings usually last about 45–60 minutes. If you want a fuller evening, some tickets add a buffet dinner or a private dining room, while private yacht charters give your group its own one-hour sailing.

Things to know before booking your Huangpu River cruise

Booking window & availability

  • Huangpu River cruises run year-round, but summer evenings, weekends, public holidays, and the 7pm–9pm night-cruise window are the busiest. Standard sightseeing sailings are often still available same day to 48 hours out, while dinner cruises and private charters usually need earlier booking because inventory is smaller.
  • Most Huangpu River cruise products are tied to a specific departure and pier rather than a fully flexible open-date format. Combo tickets can add another timed component, such as tower entry, which makes last-minute changes less forgiving.
  • Night departures deliver the strongest skyline effect, but many riverfront lights start switching off around 10pm. Cruises that finish before then usually offer the most fully illuminated view.

Boarding points & flow

  • Current assortment departs from Shiliupu Wharf, Jinling East Pier, and Oriental Pearl Tower Pier. The exact boarding point on the ticket matters because Bund-side and Pudong-side departures are not interchangeable.
  • Pre-booking saves time only when the ticket uses direct QR scanning at the pier. That can cut roughly 10–30 minutes from the ticket-purchase line, but security screening and boarding queues still apply.
  • Boarding usually begins about 20–30 minutes before departure, and busy evenings can push total pre-boarding time to 20–45 minutes. Some third-party bookings still require paper-ticket exchange before security, which adds another queue.

Routes & duration

  • Standard sightseeing cruises usually run about 45–60 minutes and focus on the central skyline stretch between the Bund and Pudong. These are loop-style cruises, not hop-on hop-off services.
  • Dinner cruises typically extend the river time to about 90–120 minutes, while private yacht charters in this assortment run for 1 hour. The longer formats trade speed for a slower, more event-like evening.
  • Route details can vary slightly by operator, pier, and river conditions, so turning points are not identical on every sailing. The main booking decision is still short shared sightseeing versus longer dining or charter formats.

Cruise types & formats

  • The base sightseeing cruise is a shared boat ride with indoor cabin access and open-deck viewing space. Commentary is usually minimal and often Chinese-first, so this format works more as a visual skyline experience than a guided tour.
  • Dinner cruise variants add a meal onboard and longer sailing time, with current options including a buffet dinner or a private dining room. These are more structured evening products, where seating and meal format matter as much as the route.
  • Combo tickets keep the cruise segment fairly standard but bundle it with attractions such as Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai Tower, Shanghai Guanfu Museum, or a 1-day sightseeing bus pass. Private yacht charters are the most exclusive option, with small, medium, and large vessel sizes instead of shared seating.

Upgrades & seating

  • Standard sightseeing cruises usually use unassigned seating or standing, and the best rail spots go first. Open-air deck space is limited, so later boarders may end up viewing through glass, which can affect photos.
  • Dinner cruises shift the seating logic from first-come boarding to table-based seating. The key upgrade choice here is buffet dining versus a private dining room, not a different sightseeing route.
  • This assortment does not center on a separate upper-deck or VIP seating tier as a standalone bookable option. The main comfort jump is from shared sightseeing to dinner seating or a private yacht charter.

Policies

  • Cruises usually operate in light rain or cold weather, but severe weather and river conditions can cause cancellations, rescheduling, or route changes. Weather matters most when open-deck views are the priority.
  • Bund and Lujiazui promenades are mostly level, but boarding gangways can be sloped and upper decks usually require stairs. Fully step-free boarding and accessible toilets are not consistently confirmed across boats.
  • Security screening is mandatory for all passengers, and ID checks may apply at booking or entry. Foreign travelers should expect passport-based verification when a booking is name-matched.

Your Shanghai cruise boarding points explained

All Shanghai cruise routes explained

Most Huangpu River cruise tickets cover Shanghai’s central “Golden 8 km,” so your real choice is departure side, time of day, and comfort level rather than a completely different sightseeing path. Pick a Bund-side sailing for easy access from the waterfront, a Pudong departure if you’re already in Lujiazui, or a longer dining/private option if you want more space or a slower pace.

Views during your Huangpu River cruise

Oriental Pearl Tower illuminated at night in Pudong, Shanghai, viewed from across the Huangpu River.
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The Bund

As the vessel pulls away from the Bund wharf, the Bund’s wall of banks and houses opens along the bank. Notice how the rooflines step evenly above the embankment.

Customs House

Looking north along Zhongshan East 1st Road, the Customs House rises above the Bund with its stone tower and clock face. The tower clears the lower facades cleanly.

Peace Hotel

As the boat continues toward the North Bund, the Peace Hotel stands out with its green pyramid roof. The river angle isolates that roofline effectively.

Waibaidu Bridge

From the bow, Waibaidu Bridge’s steel trusses stack over the mouth of Suzhou Creek. The bridge feels lower and heavier from the water.

Suzhou Creek Mouth

As the vessel rounds the creek entrance, the river widens and the Bund gives way to the North Bund. The angle shifts to layered depth.

Shanghai Postal Museum

Looking northwest from the turning section, the museum’s domed crown appears beyond Waibaidu Bridge. The dome briefly clears the truss as the boat moves.

Yangpu Bridge

As the cruise reaches the northern turnaround, Yangpu Bridge spans the river with pylons and fanned cables. The cables spread symmetrically as the vessel turns.

Lujiazui Skyline

Looking south on return, the Lujiazui cluster gathers into Shanghai’s skyline, with towers rising above the Pudong promenade. Buildings are layered in a compressed curve.

Oriental Pearl Tower

As the vessel draws level with Lujiazui, the Oriental Pearl Tower’s illuminated spheres lift above the riverfront. Its legs separate clearly from surrounding towers.

Jin Mao Tower

Looking upward from mid-river, Jin Mao Tower’s tiered setbacks read like a stepped pagoda. The tower narrows neatly toward the spire.

Shanghai World Financial Center

As the boat continues south, the Shanghai World Financial Center stands out by its trapezoid opening near the top. The cutout sharpens once the boat clears ahead.

Shanghai Tower

Looking up from the river bend, Shanghai Tower twists above Pudong with a spiral profile. Its glass skin appears to rotate subtly as the boat advances.

Plan your cruise in Shanghai

  • How early to arrive: Arrive 30 minutes early on regular days. On weekends, holidays, and 7pm–9pm departures, allow 30–45 minutes.
  • Documents/tickets needed: Show your mobile ticket or QR code. Some bookings still require voucher exchange, and ID or passport may be requested.
  • Dress code: Standard sightseeing cruises are casual. Dinner cruises are better suited to smart casual clothing.
  • Find your check-in point: Match the exact pier on your voucher, not just “Huangpu River cruise.” Common departure points include Shiliupu Wharf, Jinling East Pier, and Oriental Pearl Tower Pier.
  • Security procedures: Expect ticket check first, then basic security screening with bag checks. Pre-booking can skip the ticket-buying line, but not security or boarding.
  • Boarding process: Boarding is queued and follows your assigned departure. Standard cruises usually use first-come boarding, while dinner and premium options may have separate check-in handling.
  • Child & pet policy: Children are allowed, but child fare rules vary by operator. Pet rules are rarely published in English, so assume pets are not allowed unless confirmed.
  • Onboard luggage restrictions: Bring small bags only. Large luggage and sharp objects may be refused at security.
  • Seating: Standard sightseeing cruises do not guarantee rail-side space or a seat. Premium and dinner cruises may include better seating, depending on the variant.
  • Extras: Upper-deck or VIP access is only included if your ticket says so. Combo tickets do not change the cruise boarding process.
  • Crew tip: Save the pier name and Chinese text from your voucher before you leave; it helps with taxis and pier staff.
  • Sightseeing cruises: Day and evening departures run by operator and season. Prime night sailings usually cluster between 6pm and 9:30pm, with more frequent departures on busy nights.
  • Sunset/evening: Dusk to early night gives the strongest skyline effect. Later departures can catch fewer illuminated buildings as some lights switch off around 10pm.
  • Dinner cruises: Typically around 7pm and last about 90–120 minutes. Departure times vary by boat.
  • Seasonality: Cruises run year-round. Summer has the most evening sailings; winter decks are colder and windier, while enclosed cabins are usually climate-controlled.
  • Best time of day: Book 30–60 minutes after sunset for balanced skyline lights and visibility.
  • Best months: April–May and September–October usually offer milder temperatures and clearer views.
  • Crew tip: Weekdays are generally calmer than weekends, especially outside the 7pm–9pm rush.
  • Onboard: Most boats have air-conditioned or heated cabins, open-air viewing decks, and restrooms. Some vessels also offer a basic snack or drink counter; Wi-Fi availability varies.
  • Pier-side: Main piers typically have ticket windows or QR-code entry points, security screening, and waiting areas. Additional amenities like lockers or consistent Wi-Fi are not guaranteed.
  • Boarding: Approaches on the Bund and Lujiazui promenades are mostly step-free, though boarding gangways may have steps.
  • Onboard: Indoor cabins are generally more accessible than upper decks, which might require stairs. Accessibility details should be confirmed with the operator.
  • Baggage: Small day bags are preferred. Large luggage and restricted items may be halted at security.
  • Food & alcohol: Policies vary; some boats restrict outside food and large meals.
  • Pets: Standard cruises generally do not allow pets. Check with the operator if in doubt.
  • Smoking: Typically prohibited inside cabins, with outdoor areas subject to specific rules.
  • Photography: Generally allowed, though equipment like tripods may face restrictions.
  • Weather/operational: Cruises may run in light rain or cold, but severe conditions can alter schedules.

Tips & guidelines

  • Move to the starboard (right) side as you pass Waibaidu Bridge for clearer views of Pudong’s skyline.
  • Cruise 30–60 minutes after sunset. Finish before 10pm, when Pudong towers begin dimming.
  • Look back at the North Bund turn. Near Qinhuangdao Road Pier, Bund facades align neatly behind Waibaidu Bridge.
  • If your route goes under Nanpu Bridge, stand mid-deck. The cables line up better overhead.
  • Skip the bow leaving Shiliupu. Early wake and river traffic shake phones more than midship rails.
  • After 8:30pm, step inside between shots. The open deck feels sharper on the wider North Bund reach.
  • If you stay inside, press lenses to the glass. It reduces glare north of Waibaidu Bridge.
  • For dinner cruises, go smart casual with flats. Polished decks and sloped gangways punish heels quickly.
  • Use a compact stroller at Shiliupu or Pearl Dock. Night sailings tighten aisles and deck stairs fast.
  • Don’t camp at one railing early. The first selfie wave fades after Waibaidu Bridge, not before.

Frequently asked questions about Huangpu River cruises in Shanghai

Book Huangpu River Sightseeing Cruise for the core 45 to 60 minute skyline loop with no meal. Choose Cruise with Buffet Dinner or Cruise with Private Dining Room for a longer seated evening, or 1-Hour Private Yacht Charter for privacy.