The night cruise is the one Shanghai thing that looks exactly like the photos. Both banks are lit, the boat is slow, and you are in the middle. The confusing part is the booking: three piers, tickets tied to one of them, and a voucher that is not a boarding pass. Here is the version that worked for us.
Prices and times here are from the sources at the bottom, checked on 15 October 2026. They move. Treat the numbers as a guide and check the official page or Trip.com on the day.
Quick answers
How much is the Huangpu River night cruise?
About 120 to 150 RMB for the standard 45 to 60 minute sightseeing cruise, 80 to 100 RMB for the 30 minute express, more for VIP decks and dinner cruises (figures from a Trip.com guide dated August 2026).
Which pier is best for the Huangpu cruise?
Shiliupu for choice of routes, Jinling East Road for a short ride near the Bund, Oriental Pearl if you are staying in Pudong. Tickets are tied to one pier.
Do I need my passport for the river cruise?
Yes, the original. Online bookings are exchanged for tickets at the pier window against your passport.
What time is best for the Huangpu night cruise?
Between 19:00 and 21:00, when both banks are fully lit. Some lights go off from 21:00 to 22:00.
How to book and board
- 1
Pick the pier before the ticket
Shiliupu pier (south end of the Bund) has the most routes. Jinling East Road pier (middle of the Bund) is best for a short ride and a 10 minute walk from East Nanjing Road station. Oriental Pearl pier is on the Pudong side. Your ticket only works at its own pier.
- 2
Choose the length
30 minutes express (about 80 to 100 RMB, mostly from Jinling East Road), 45 to 60 minutes classic (about 120 to 150 RMB, all piers, the usual choice), or 90 minutes plus, often a dinner cruise from Shiliupu (250 to 400 RMB and up).
- 3
Go between 19:00 and 21:00
That is when both banks are fully lit. Some landmark lighting goes off after 21:00 or 22:00, so the last boats see less. The 17:00 to 19:00 sunset slot gives you daylight and then lights.
- 4
Book online, then swap the voucher at the pier
An online booking is a voucher, not a ticket. Exchange it at the pier window with your original passport; a photo of it is not accepted. Night cruise collection windows are roughly 17:00 to 20:00.
- 5
Arrive 30 to 60 minutes early
Pre-booking skips the ticket queue but not security, which can take 20 to 60 minutes on busy evenings.
- 6
Stand on the left going north
From Shiliupu heading north the Bund buildings are on the left; on the way back Pudong is on the left. Skip the cruise in rain or fog, the towers disappear.
Rules change. Everything here was checked on 2026-10-15 against the sources below. Before you fly, open the official page once more.
