Shanghai Huangpu River Night Cruise Ticket + Buffet Meal

Shanghai’s night skyline makes more sense from the Huangpu. From the river, the old Bund buildings and the bright towers of Pudong face each other across the water, and the Oriental Pearl Tower gives you an easy landmark to follow. I love that this view comes as a slow-moving panorama rather than a string of hurried photo stops.

I also like the practical pairing of a river cruise and dinner: you can settle in for a meal, then take in the skyline from the decks. The main caveat is that buffet quality and upper-deck access can vary. Some areas may cost extra, and the food gets mixed marks, so book for the river view first and treat dinner as a useful extra.

At a glance

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• A river-level view of Shanghai: The route passes the Bund, Lujiazui Financial District, Oriental Pearl Tower and major bridges.
• Roughly 100 minutes under way: The full scheduled outing runs from boarding in the late afternoon to the return at about 21:00.
• Dinner starts before departure: Buffet service is listed from 17:30, while the regular sailing time is 19:00.
• Several ships and packages: Options include Dragon Boat and Crystal Princess, with prices depending on the package and date.
• Deck access may cost extra: Some upper-deck or lounge areas are paid; a reference price is about 100 yuan per person.
• A view-first choice: The city lights are the strongest reason to go. Food selection, temperature and service may be less consistent.

👉 See our pick of the 25 Best Guided Tours In Shanghai

The Huangpu is Shanghai’s best night-time front row

The Huangpu River splits Shanghai into two very different faces. On one bank, the Bund’s historic buildings line the waterfront; opposite, Pudong rises with modern towers, including the Oriental Pearl Tower. At night, the contrast is the show. From a boat, you can take in both sides in one sweep, with the river and its reflections between them.

That perspective is the real value of this cruise. From shore, you see one bank at a time, often among crowds along the promenade. On the water, the skyline opens up and changes as the boat moves. Bridges, lit buildings and skyscrapers pass into view, and the city feels less like a collection of landmarks and more like a working riverfront.

The route leaves from Shiliupu Pier 3, travels past Nanpu Bridge and the Mercedes-Benz Arena, continues by Lujiazui and Yangpu Bridge, then returns to the pier. It is not a guided sightseeing tour with detailed commentary listed, so you should not expect a running history lesson. Think of it as a scenic circuit: the city itself is the main attraction.

Boarding at Shiliupu Pier 3

The departure point is Pier 3 at Shiliupu Wharf, 99 Waima Road, in Huangpu District. The stated boarding window is 17:00 to 18:45, with the regular sailing scheduled for 19:00. Arrive at least 20 minutes before departure, and leave extra time to find the correct pier if you are unfamiliar with the area.

In peak summer, ticket exchange is directed to window 2. Bring the same valid identification used for the booking. The boarding information specifies an ID card or passport, and a mismatch or incorrect details can prevent you from boarding. That is worth checking before you leave your hotel, especially if one person in your party handled the reservation.

The instructions say that late arrivals and no-shows are not refundable. The booking is also valid only for the date and time selected, and the stated cancellation policy does not allow cancellations or refunds. This is not a flexible ticket to buy on a whim, so confirm your date before paying.

Dinner begins while the boat is still docked

The meal schedule is listed as 17:30 to 19:30, with dining on the first or third floor. Since the regular sailing time is 19:00, plan for the possibility that you will begin eating before the boat leaves the pier. Some people expect a dinner that unfolds entirely while cruising; the timing here does not promise that.

That early meal window can be useful. You can eat before heading out to the deck, rather than trying to balance a plate while looking for a view. But if you booked specifically to watch the city pass during dinner, keep expectations modest. The priority is to get a good look at the river once the ship is moving, and to use the indoor dining area when it is time to eat.

The buffet is the most unpredictable part of the package. Some diners find a good spread of hot dishes, seafood, meat, fruit and snacks, with food replenished during service. Others describe limited choices, cold dishes, overcooked or dry seafood, and a meal that did not feel worth the price. In short, the menu and quality may not match the idea of a lavish dinner buffet.

I would choose this combo because it includes a meal and saves you from arranging dinner separately, not because it promises a standout culinary experience. If you have a restricted diet, strong food preferences or high expectations for seafood, the cruise-only option may be a better fit if available. The information provided does not specify a fixed menu, so you cannot count on particular dishes being served.

What the 100-minute cruise covers

The boat is scheduled to depart around 19:00 and return to Shiliupu Pier 3 at about 21:00. The cruise itself is described as approximately 100 minutes, while the two-hour period includes the broader time aboard. Schedules can shift with traffic and weather, and a staggered sailing time may be announced separately.

As the boat travels south toward Nanpu Bridge and the Mercedes-Benz Arena, then north past Lujiazui and Yangpu Bridge, you get more than a quick pass by the Bund. The changing angle is useful for photographs: the towers and waterfront buildings shift against one another as the boat turns along the route. The river breeze can also make the open deck a welcome break from the indoor dining room.

The skyline is the most consistently rewarding part of the outing. The lit Bund and Pudong towers are the signature views, and the river gives you a broad view that is hard to reproduce from a single spot on land. On a clear evening, you can spend much of the ride moving between windows and outdoor viewing spaces to catch different angles.

Do not assume every outdoor area is included. The upper deck has both free and paid sections, with a listed reference charge of around 100 yuan per person for paid seats or areas. Some boats may offer an additional lounge option. Access arrangements differ, so ask which spaces your ticket covers before paying extra.

There is a practical trade-off here: you can enjoy the cruise without buying an upgrade, but your choice of viewing spot may be more limited. One concern is that the top deck may have little or no seating, even where access is available. If you are set on a particular deck or lounge, confirm the price and what it includes rather than relying on the word upper deck to mean an open, unrestricted viewing area.

Choosing a ship and reading the price

The package options include Dragon Boat and Crystal Princess, along with other vessels named in the experience details, such as City of Shanghai and Happy Captain. The product information highlights several package prices, but the exact fare depends on the selected ship, meal package and date. The stated starting price is $54.09; check the booking screen for the price that applies to your choice.

The Dragon Boat is described as a distinctive, multi-deck vessel with a traditional dragon design. Crystal Princess is described as a large ship. Those details may help you choose by style, but the information does not establish that one ship always has better food, service or deck access than another. Read the inclusions for the specific fare you select.

Keep a little money aside for optional purchases. Bottled water is listed from about 10 yuan, and beer is not part of the buffet, with bottles priced separately at about 20 to 30 yuan. Paid viewing areas may add about 100 yuan per person. These charges can change the total enough that it is sensible to decide in advance whether you need a reserved or premium space.

The ticket includes one adult Dragon Boat cruise-and-buffet ticket when that package is selected, but other ship options have their own prices and terms. Children at least 1.3 metres tall pay the adult rate. A child under 1.3 metres can receive a free ticket, with one free child per adult; the child’s ticket must be collected on site, and the buffet is not included. You can pay the child’s buffet fee there.

Who will enjoy this evening most

This works well if you have limited time in Shanghai and want a relaxed way to see the Bund and Pudong from the river. It is also an easy choice for couples, families and first-time visitors who would rather combine a scenic outing with a meal than plan two separate stops.

Families should factor in the two-hour schedule and the distinction between a free child ticket and a paid buffet. The cruise itself may be a fun outing for children, but the dining space and viewing decks can get busy. Keep the children close on deck, and do not assume that a free ticket covers the meal.

If your main aim is photography, consider how much you value open-deck access. The skyline is excellent from the river, but a standard ticket may not include every premium viewing area, and the top deck may not provide many seats. If you are content to find a free viewing spot and move around as the boat travels, the standard fare may suit you. If you want a particular lounge or reserved area, confirm the extra cost first.

This is less suited to anyone booking chiefly for a high-end buffet or a fully guided tour. The meal receives mixed assessments, and no English-speaking guide is specified in the experience details. The river route and city lights do most of the work.

A few details to settle before departure

The ticket is for a fixed date, so double-check the day and package before completing the booking. Confirmation is expected within 24 hours; if it does not arrive, contact customer support. Bring the required ID or passport, and aim to reach the pier with enough time to exchange your ticket and board.

If you want water, beer or access to a paid deck area, budget for those separately. The buffet does not include beer, and bottled water is an optional purchase. For the child fare, collect the free ticket at the pier and remember that the buffet fee is separate.

Should you book the Huangpu River night cruise?

Book this if you want a river-level look at Shanghai’s best-known night view and like the convenience of having dinner included. The lights of the Bund and Pudong are the strong point, and the route gives you time to watch the skyline change from the water.

Think twice if you are paying mainly for a special meal, guaranteed outdoor seating or unrestricted upper-deck access. Food and service can be uneven, and extra charges may apply for the best viewing areas. I would treat the buffet as convenient rather than the star, check the exact ship and ticket inclusions, and book for the view.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart?

Board at Pier 3, Shiliupu Wharf, 99 Waima Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai.

What time does the boat leave?

The regular sailing time is 19:00. Ticket collection and boarding are listed from 17:00 to 18:45, and you should arrive at least 20 minutes before departure.

How long is the cruise?

The cruise lasts approximately 100 minutes. The scheduled outing, including boarding and return, runs from the late afternoon to about 21:00.

What landmarks are on the route?

The route runs from Shiliupu Pier 3 past Nanpu Bridge, Mercedes-Benz Arena, Lujiazui Financial District and Yangpu Bridge, then returns to the pier.

Is the buffet included in the ticket?

The selected cruise-and-buffet package includes a buffet for the adult ticket holder. Beer, bottled water and some upper-deck or lounge access may cost extra.

Do children need a ticket?

Children 1.3 metres and taller pay the adult rate. A child under 1.3 metres can receive a free ticket, limited to one free child per adult. The free ticket must be collected on site, and the child’s buffet fee is separate.