Ferry or cruise? Two ways to ride the Huangpu River

A river that runs through everything

Stand anywhere along the Bund and you'll see the Huangpu River doing what it has always done: splitting Shanghai into Pudong on the east bank and Puxi on the west. Bridges, tunnels and metro lines now criss-cross the water, but ferryboats — with over a century of history — remain a popular choice for pedestrians and cyclists thanks to their convenience and low cost.

Currently 17 ferry lines serve nearly 34 stations along both banks, connecting Pudong with Puxi. For visitors, the interesting question isn't whether to cross the river — you almost certainly will — but how to do it in a way that fits your afternoon.

The sunset ferry: Taigong Line

Operating hours run from 6 am to 9:50 pm on the Pudong side and 6 am to 9:40 pm on the Puxi side, giving you a wide window to time your crossing around golden hour.

After dark or during the day: Dongfu and Dongjin

The Dongjin Line offers views of the Lujiazui skyline but operates only during the day, so it isn't suited for evening scenery. One pier is the East Jinling Road Ferry Pier at No 141 East Zhongshan Road Number Two, running 7:15 am to 6:30 pm; the opposite pier operates 7:15 am to 6:15 pm.

One thing to note: the Dongjin Line is available only for pedestrians — bikes and e-bikes are not permitted on that route.

What the cruise passes on the water

The Huangpu River cruise departs from Shiliupu Piers 1 and 2, heading toward the Yangpu Bridge before turning back. Along the way you pass the historic Bund on the Puxi side — including the Waibaidu Bridge and the Monument to the People's Heroes — and the modern Lujiazui skyline on the Pudong side, with the Oriental Pearl Tower, Jinmao Tower, Shanghai World Financial Center and the Shanghai Tower.