Huangpu River Night Cruise — Tickets & Best Time

At a Glance

Standard boat	¥120–150 / Klook ¥100
Deluxe boat	¥218 / Klook ¥180
Dinner cruise	¥288 / Klook ¥248
Trip length	Standard 50–60 min / dinner 90 min
Operating hours	10:00–22:00 (departures every 30 min)
Main piers	Shiliupu / Jinling East Road / International Cruise Terminal

1. Why this is a must-do

The Huangpu River cruise is the only way to see both shores at once — the 52 colonial buildings on the Bund (Gothic, Roman, Baroque, neoclassical, dating back to 1844) and the post-1990 Lujiazui supertalls (Oriental Pearl + Shanghai Tower + Jin Mao + SWFC + IFC).

That "century vs future" composition only fits in a frame from the middle of the river. Stand on the Bund looking east, or in Lujiazui looking west, and you only get half. From the boat, you get all 360 degrees.

2. Three operators compared

Operator	Pier	Length	Price	Strength
Pujiang Cruise (the largest)	Shiliupu	50 min	¥120	More boats, frequent departures
Oriental Pearl Cruise	Jinling East Road	60 min	¥150	Closest to the Pearl Tower
Luxury yacht	International Cruise Terminal	90 min	¥288	Dinner included, more private

3. The best time to sail (this matters)

The "Blue Hour" 90 minutes

From 30 minutes before sunset to 60 minutes after — the most photogenic window on the boat. You catch:

• Daylight detail on the Bund's colonial buildings;
• Sunset gold on the Lujiazui skyline;
• The buildings switching their lights on, one by one;
• The full city in lights afterwards.

2026 Shanghai sunset times: 19:01 latest in June, 16:55 earliest in December.

"Full dark" departures

After 20:00 it becomes a pure night-view sail — every light on, with the Bund Lights laser show running on the western embankment (daily 19:00, 20:00 and 21:00) and the boat in the perfect front-row seat.

4. Ticket comparison

Boat type	Includes	Face value	Klook
Standard	Open-air deck	¥120	¥100
Deluxe	2nd-floor enclosed + top deck	¥218	¥180
Dinner cruise	+ Buffet dinner	¥288	¥248
Child (1.0–1.4 m)	Standard boat	¥60	¥50

5. Suggested half-day Bund itinerary

1. 16:30 arrive at the Bund — stroll the colonial frontage in daylight;
2. 17:30 dinner at Bund 33 (or similar, ~¥200/head);
3. 19:00 — walk to Shiliupu Pier;
4. 19:30 board — sunset and night view on one ride;
5. 20:30 disembark — Nanjing East Road pedestrian street at night;
6. 22:00 — back to the hotel.

6. Where to sit

• Top open-air deck — best view, but hot in June–September and freezing in December–February.
• Floor 2 enclosed + big windows — comfortable and good for photos (watch glass reflections).
• Floor 1 stern — facing the wake plus the night skyline — the trending photo spot.

7. How to get there

• Metro: Line 10 "Yuyuan Garden" Exit 1, walk 5 min along Fuyou Road then Zhongshan East 2nd Road to Shiliupu Pier.
• Line 14, Yuyuan Garden Exit 6 is also convenient.
• From the Bund: 10-min walk south from the south end of the Bund to Shiliupu.
• From Lujiazui: Metro Line 2 → transfer at Nanjing East Road to Line 10 (~25 min).

8. How to save money

• Pre-book on Klook: ¥20–50 off standard boats;
• Standard is enough: experience is similar, save ¥80;
• Children under 1.0 m free;
• 1.0–1.4 m half price;
• Skip the dinner cruise: onboard buffet is mediocre — pair a standard ticket with a Bund restaurant;
• Group of 10: 20% off.

9. Practical tips

• Bring: camera, light jacket (windy on the river), rain poncho (open deck).
• Not allowed: selfie sticks, pets, outside food (except on dinner cruises).
• Children: under 1.4 m must be accompanied at all times.
• Accessibility: deluxe boats have lifts; standard boats are difficult.
• Rainy weather: cruises run, but the open deck closes.
• NYE: special fireworks cruise from ¥998, book a month ahead.

10. Why book through us

• ¥20–50 cheaper than the gate;
• Scan-and-board;
• Voucher valid 90 days;
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead;
• Customer service in Chinese, English and Japanese.

From ¥100 · Book on Klook now →