Shanghai Night Cruise 2026: Huangpu River & The Bund
Experience the enchanting night views of Shanghai from a Huangpu River cruise. See the illuminated Bund, Oriental Pearl Tower, and city skyline. Find tour times and prices for 2026!
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Experience the enchanting night views of Shanghai from a Huangpu River cruise. See the illuminated Bund, Oriental Pearl Tower, and city skyline. Find tour times and prices for 2026!

Shanghai
Top Spots to Explore in Shanghai, China
Shanghai Trip: Huangpu River Night Cruise
Hello, fellow adventurers! I'm Yeoreum, your travel influencer ☁
In Shanghai, China, a city renowned for its breathtaking nightscapes,
I recently indulged in a truly romantic cruise tour, soaking in the shimmering night views of The Bund and the iconic Oriental Pearl Tower.
If you're wondering what to add to your Shanghai itinerary, I highly recommend this incredible experience:
the Huangpu River Cruise!
1. The Huangpu River Cruise

The Shanghai Huangpu River cruise embarks from The Bund,
and for about an hour, it gracefully glides past iconic landmarks such as the Oriental Pearl Tower, Jin Mao Tower, and the Shanghai Tower,
offering unparalleled views of Shanghai's stunning cityscape at night.
🔽 Shanghai Cruise Tour Times & Prices 🔽
Category | Time | Price |
Day Cruise | 14:00 | ~$11 |
Night Cruise | 19:00 | ~$18 |
20:00 | ||
21:00 | ||
Night Cruise + Guided Commentary | 20:00 | ~$21 |
While the daytime scenery of the Huangpu River is undoubtedly charming, the absolute highlight of the Shanghai cruise is without a doubt
the night view! So, I unequivocally recommend the night-time slots.
Unless you're traveling with elderly parents who might appreciate it,
you probably don't need to add the guided commentary!
Find the best prices for your Shanghai Huangpu River Cruise booking here:
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2. The Meeting Point


The voucher I received after booking clearly outlined the exchange location,
making it incredibly easy to find. After a quick security check,
I made my way to the pier.


After wrapping up my Shanghai travel adventures for the day,
I arrived about 30 minutes before boarding and smoothly received my cruise ticket from the Korean attendant,
ensuring a seamless boarding process.

The Huangpu River Cruise, definitely one of the top places to visit in Shanghai, China,
was quite impressive with three spacious decks. However, with so many passengers, I was a bit worried
that I wouldn't be able to enjoy the spectacular night views in a relaxed manner.
3. My Cruise Experience

My fears were confirmed—it was indeed very crowded,
making it quite a challenge to snag a front-row view or capture those perfect solo shots.
But then, I discovered a little secret: tucked away in a corner of the 3rd deck of the Shanghai Night Cruise,
there was a dedicated VIP area!



For an additional 100 RMB (approximately ~$13) paid on-site,
you'll receive a VIP wristband. This grants you access to private spaces on both the 2nd and 3rd decks,
plus complimentary snacks and drinks, and even a guaranteed seat! This means
you can truly savor the night views in a calm and unhurried atmosphere.

The crowded area is the general section,
while the VIP area is where people can sit back and relax.
Doesn't it definitely look more relaxed and have a different vibe?
Even though I paid ~$14 more for the admission ticket,
I was able to properly appreciate Shanghai's night view,
so it was totally worth it, and I really want to recommend it.


As a famous must-visit spot in Shanghai, China,
I saw The Bund, a renowned night view spot,
and enjoyed the night views of the Oriental Pearl Tower and its surroundings with a gentle breeze,
without being jostled by crowds, enjoying it at my leisure.


They even gave us cola and snacks, so I enjoyed a healing time🤍 while watching the night view and
munching on salty Lay's potato chips.



There's also a hidden VIP area on the 2nd floor of the Shanghai cruise ship,
and since not many people know about this section, most visitors
stayed on the 3rd floor, creating an even more private atmosphere for us.




There's also an indoor space, so if the weather is chilly, it would be nice to watch from here,
and it seemed like a perfect spot to enjoy a beer!
From the terrace, you can enjoy the Shanghai night view cruise just like on the 3rd floor,
but with very few people,
we enjoyed it even more privately and leisurely.

With no crowds, it was easy to get a perfect shot of the Oriental Pearl Tower, lol!


Most of the best shots I got during my Shanghai trip
were taken from the Shanghai Huangpu River cruise.

There was even a children's play area, making it a great Shanghai night cruise to enjoy with kids.

The famous must-visit spots in Shanghai, China, like
the renowned night view spot The Bund, the Oriental Pearl Tower, and Shanghai Tower,
could all be enjoyed at once from the Huangpu River Cruise.
Thanks to the VIP area,
I was able to enjoy an even more special night view of Shanghai.
I highly recommend you take this cruise if you're traveling to Shanghai :)
Shanghai Huangpu River Cruise Lowest Price Booking Page
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The daytime cruise operates at 2 PM for ~$11. Night cruises run at 7 PM, 8 PM, and 9 PM for ~$18, and a night cruise with a guided explanation is available at 8 PM for ~$21.
By paying an additional 100 RMB (approximately ~$13) on-site, you can receive a VIP wristband. The VIP area allows access to private spaces on the 3rd and 2nd floors, provides snacks and drinks, and offers seating.
The article strongly recommends taking the night cruise, as the highlight of the Shanghai Huangpu River cruise is viewing the night scenery. The night cruise allows you to admire the night views of iconic landmarks such as The Bund and the Oriental Pearl TV Tower.
The Shanghai Huangpu River cruise operates for approximately 1 hour. During this time, you can enjoy Shanghai's iconic landmarks, including The Bund, the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Jin Mao Tower, and Shanghai Tower.

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