China Cruise of Shanghai’s Huangpu River
If you’re ever in Shanghai, one of the best things you can do is to take a cruise of Huangpu River. The Huangpu River operates as a major shipping channel for Shanghai that navigates to the opening of the Yangtze River and to the East China Sea.
This river also divides western and eastern Shanghai. Many, in fact, consider this division to be representative of Shanghai’s past and future.
For example, West Shanghai boasts many 19th century landmarks that illustrate Shanghai’s past difficulties. By contrast, East Shanghai’s focus is on such modern elements as high-rise office buildings, entertainment areas and hotels; in fact, Shanghai is China’s financial center.
If you take a tour of Huangpu River, you will not be disappointed, as it will give you an overview of not just Shanghai as a modern and fast growing city, but it will give you a glimpse of its past as well.
There are several things you can do to take a China cruise of the Huangpu River. One way is to take a three-hour cruise that will take you to the Yangtze River’s mouth and back to your starting point. With this cruise, you can take a close look at the bond, which is Shanghai’s waterfront.
This is perhaps the city’s most famous symbol to the world. As you travel along the river, you will also go by setting architectures such as the Oriental Pearl Tower, the Peace Hotel, and the Jin Mao Tower.
You’ll also go by many other impressive industrial-based structures. Besides this, you’ll also pass Suzhou Creek, which you can cross by using the Waibaidu Bridge.
North of the Suzhou Creek, you’ll find old warehouses that are central to the Yangpu and Hongkou Districts.
From there, you can go to the shipyards, where freighters come to unload cargo from all points of the world. You also go by the Yangpu Bridge, which is the longest-spanning cable bridge in the world.
In addition, you won’t be traversing the river alone on this cruise, on your solitary ship. Rather, you’ll have lots of company on the river. Rowboats share space with fishing boats, ships, freighters and barges.
Your last stop on this cruise takes you to the mouth of the Yangtze River, China’s biggest. At that point, your ship will turn around and head for home.
The major company to operate this particular China cruise is the Shanghai Huangpu River Cruise Company, which runs a daily three-hour cruise on the Huangpu River, from 2 to 5 p.m.
Cost to you is anywhere from $6-$13 a ticket. The most expensive tickets have the best seats and views, from the top deck. Drinks and snacks are also served here.
You can also take a shorter Huangpu River cruise of an hour or two. On this type of cruise, you’ll go along the major waterfront between the Nanpu Qiao and Yangpu Qiao Bridges.
You can also take a very short 30-minute tour originating from Pudong. Two are scheduled to change with seasons, so you are advised to check schedules accordingly and make plans based on what is available, which will be dependent on current weather conditions and the season.
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Tags: shanghai, cruise, travel, china, huangpu river