The night cruise on the Huangpu River is a definite must for all visitors of Shanghai. Some people may think this activity a bit "touristy"; but it is a great way to view both old and new Shanghai at one glance.
Originated from the Taihu Lake, the 113 km Huangpu River winds through the downtown area of Shanghai and then empties into the Yangtze River at Wusongkou (mouth of Wusong River). Thus, it has become the line demarcating Shanghai - west and east, past and present - into Puxi and Pudong. On the west side is the grand row of heritage mansions known as the Bund and, on the opposite bank, is the futuristic skyline of Pudong.
Night cruise provides the most dramatic views of Shanghai. A variety of neon-lit boats sail nightly between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. from Shiliupu Wharf. A one-hour voyage can ply the main waterfront area between the two suspension bridges, Nanpu Qiao in the south, and Yangpu Qiao in the north.
Also there are a full morning cruise (from 9am to 12:30pm) and a full afternoon cruise (from 2 to 5:30pm). Whatever you take the cruise in the daytime or at night, the cityscapes on both sides will give you a sweeping perspective of Shanghai past and present. Highlights include the grand stone-fronted buildings of the Bund, the impressive Lujiazui skyline, and the iconic Oriental Pearl Tower.
