Huangpu River Cruise and Bund City Lights Evening Tour of Shanghai
Traveler rating
3.9/5
Based on 120 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Huangpu River Cruise and Bund City Lights Evening Tour of Shanghai worth booking?
Huangpu River Cruise and Bund City Lights Evening Tour of Shanghai is a 2.5-hour experience in Shanghai, China, from $63 per person. It scores 61 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 3.9/5 rating across 120 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 61 / 100
- Rating
- 3.9/5 (120)
- Duration
- 2.5 hours
- From
- $63 per person
The Bund is the cultural section of Shanghai that best represents the blending of ancient and modern influences. This renowned waterfront district is the city’s most famous landmark. You’ll experience the definition literally with a feeling of space and openness that you won’t find anywhere else in Shanghai. The tour starts with an evening cruise on the Huangpu River, which divides the Bund into two sections, Pu Dong and Pu Xi, which mean “east of river” and “west of river”. Local people honor the Huangpu as Mother River, and as you view the lights and spectacle from the deck of your evening cruise, you will understand it. After the cruise, we will enjoy a walk along the Bund on our way to the historically famous Peace Hotel, which served as the center of Shanghai’s nightlife in the 1920’s and 30’s. Then we will take a trolley tour to enjoy the magnificent night view of Nanjing Road.
What you get
About this experience
The Bund is the cultural section of Shanghai that best represents the blending of ancient and modern influences. This renowned waterfront district is the city’s most famous landmark. You’ll experience the definition literally with a feeling of space and openness that you won’t find anywhere else in Shanghai. The tour starts with an evening cruise on the Huangpu River, which divides the Bund into two sections, Pu Dong and Pu Xi, which mean “east of river” and “west of river”. Local people honor the Huangpu as Mother River, and as you view the lights and spectacle from the deck of your evening cruise, you will understand it. After the cruise, we will enjoy a walk along the Bund on our way to the historically famous Peace Hotel, which served as the center of Shanghai’s nightlife in the 1920’s and 30’s. Then we will take a trolley tour to enjoy the magnificent night view of Nanjing Road.
What's included
Included
- English-speaking tour guide
- River cruise tickets
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Hotel pickup and drop off from city center
Not included
- Food and drinks
- Cruise port pickup
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Pujiang Cruise Ship
The tour starts with an evening cruise on the Huangpu River, which divides the Bund into two sections, Pu Dong and Pu Xi, which mean “east of river” and “west of river”. Local people honor the Huangpu as Mother River, and as you view the lights and spectacle from the deck of your evening cruise, you will understand it.
60 minutes here · Admission included
The Bund (Wai Tan)
Viewing the lights on the boat seems a dream on the both sides of the Bund.
Pass by without stopping
Fairmont Peace Hotel
Peace Hotel served as the center of Shanghai’s nightlife in the 1920’s and 30’s.
20 minutes here
Nanjing Lu (Nanjing Road)
Nanjing Road is known as the No. 1 shopping street in China. It is a pedestrian street. The trolley tour is an option instead of walking.
30 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 5 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- cmn, en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Tue, Thu, Fri, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Hantang International Travel Service
Know before you go
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 119 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Photo opportunities
6 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
The guide
5 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
119 verified traveler reviews for Huangpu River Cruise and Bund City Lights Evening Tour of Shanghai. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Huangpu River Cruise, Shanghai, China
The most outstanding sights of Shanghai, view from the Huangpu River. The stunning, posh, well-lighted, famous buildings on both sides of the river. Stylish looking boats of all sizes and shapes, decorated with lights, cruising on the same river. The scenery is memorable. This is the Bund at night, no one should miss.
via Tripadvisor
Awesome Experience
Very good panaromic city view from the cruise. Hotel pick was done on time. Guide was very nice and friendly.
via Viator
Panoramic Shanghai views
We took the evening cruise lasts about an hour, enough time to soak in the views and capture unforgettable memories It is one of the best way to enjoy the city in all its glory in the evening day light as well as when we retuned in the lights at night. It would be nice to get really good spot on the boat so need to get there early to get the best views. The Huangpu River, divides the city into two distinct yet harmonious halves: Puxi, the historic western side with its colonial architecture and the famous Bund, and Pudong. The eastern side boasting soaring skyscrapers like the Shanghai Tower and the Oriental Pearl Tower. As the sun sets and the city lights begin to sparkle, the river becomes a mirror reflecting the lights of Shanghai. The boats were modern, well-equipped boats provide both indoor and outdoor seating, ensuring comfort regardless of the weather. As you sail along the river, you'll be treated to panoramic views A stunning stretch of historic buildings illuminated in golden hues, showcasing Shanghai's colonial past. • Pudong's Skyline: The towering skyscrapers, in the skyline of Shanghia including the iconic Oriental Pearl Tower and the Shanghai
via Tripadvisor
Nice boat ride but didn’t get rest of tour due to traffic delays
On the positive side- river cruise was beautiful and was private - only me and the guide. Negative - most of the time was in the car getting to the boat and back. Cruise was very crowded and bought VIP ticket onboard tk have a place to sit. Traffic leaving dock was horrible and took so long to get back to the city center tour ended without going to the pedestrian street. Didn’t get that part of the tour all because was so late at this point. So paid for only transportation to and from the boat and the boat ride.
via Viator
Do it yourself would be better
From everything I did in China this is the thing I regret the most. I unfortunately booked this for our first day with no experience of the culture and went by the recommendations of the booking. I am appalled they recommended you to give 10 Yuan each for a taxi driver for a tip and 100 Yuan each for the tour guide… Just for context a taxi ride to Shanghai tower from my hotel is 16 Yuan and they recommend me to give 20 on top of that as a tip? Appalling. The boat tour is 150 Yuan each. So in total let’s say the taxis cost you 40 Yuan at a push, the boat 150 and the little train transfer is 10 Yuan that is 200 Yuan for this experience. When they ask for 600 Yuan for it and you to tip 100 per person more…. I will let travellers do the math themselves. The tour guide was ok, but compared to all others we had on our trip even that fell short it just felt like we had to pull information out and it didn’t feel natural or enjoyable. We did get some information about some of the buildings but we kind of expected a bit more for the big price tag and tip recommendations on top of that.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 2.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Tue, Thu, Fri, Sun
- Price range
- $63 to $79
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 42
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by Hantang International Travel Service, who run 40 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 50.4.
See everything Hantang International Travel Service runsWhy this scores 61
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Huangpu River Cruise and Bund City Lights Evening Tour of Shanghai: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Shanghai.
How much does Huangpu River Cruise and Bund City Lights Evening Tour of Shanghai cost?
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Prices start at $63 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Shanghai usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Huangpu River Cruise and Bund City Lights Evening Tour of Shanghai take?
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Plan for about 2.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Shanghai is not rushed.
Is Huangpu River Cruise and Bund City Lights Evening Tour of Shanghai worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 61 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.9/5 across 120 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Shanghai, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Huangpu River Cruise and Bund City Lights Evening Tour of Shanghai?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Huangpu River Cruise and Bund City Lights Evening Tour of Shanghai suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Huangpu River Cruise and Bund City Lights Evening Tour of Shanghai?
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Around 42 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Shanghai can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Shanghai and add a light layer if any part of the 2.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Huangpu River Cruise and Bund City Lights Evening Tour of Shanghai start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Shanghai within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Shanghai?
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On Outty we rank every Shanghai experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Private Shanghai Full Day City Tour with Old and New Highlights, Full-Day Private Guided Tour of Shanghai, Shanghai City Guided Walking Tour | China's 1st and Best Rated. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Shanghai?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Shanghai?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Huangpu River Cruise and Bund City Lights Evening Tour of Shanghai?
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Included: English-speaking tour guide; River cruise tickets; In-vehicle air conditioning; and Hotel pickup and drop off from city center. Not included: Food and drinks; Cruise port pickup; and Gratuities. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Huangpu River Cruise and Bund City Lights Evening Tour of Shanghai include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 1722 listed pickup locations in and around Shanghai. Be ready about 5 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Huangpu River Cruise and Bund City Lights Evening Tour of Shanghai offered in?
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It is offered in Chinese and English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Huangpu River Cruise and Bund City Lights Evening Tour of Shanghai?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Huangpu River Cruise and Bund City Lights Evening Tour of Shanghai wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Huangpu River Cruise and Bund City Lights Evening Tour of Shanghai if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Huangpu River Cruise and Bund City Lights Evening Tour of Shanghai?
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Across 120 reviews averaging 3.9 out of 5, recurring themes include photo opportunities, the guide, knowledge and storytelling. The views and photo stops come up again and again.
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