Shanghai Bund: Evening River Cruise & City Lights Tour

Summary

See Shanghai’s city lights from the river then stroll the Bund

You’ll watch Shanghai’s skyline flicker to life from a Huangpu River cruise before strolling the Bund with a local guide. Explore historic Peace Hotel and ride a trolley down lively Nanjing Road — all with hotel pickup included. Expect sensory overload (in a good way) and moments you’ll remember long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

We’d barely stepped onto the boat when our guide, Li, grinned and handed us these little paper tickets — I almost dropped mine in the river, honestly. The air was thick with that humid Shanghai summer smell, kind of sweet and metallic. As we drifted out onto the Huangpu River, I could hear someone’s phone playing old pop songs behind us, but mostly it was just water slapping against the hull and all those neon reflections stretching across both sides of the Bund. Li pointed out Pudong on one side — all glass towers and laser beams — and Puxi on the other, where you still see those old colonial buildings lit up like they’re in some 1930s movie. I didn’t expect to feel so small watching it all go by.

After we got off the boat (I was a little wobbly — not sure if it was excitement or just my sea legs), we wandered along the Bund itself. There were couples taking selfies, kids running around with glowing toys, and this one old man selling roasted chestnuts who nodded at us like he knew something we didn’t. The Peace Hotel looked almost unreal in that light — Li told us about jazz bands playing there back in the day. I tried to imagine what it sounded like with all those voices echoing off marble floors. She laughed when I tried to say “Heping Fandian” in Mandarin; probably butchered it.

We finished up on Nanjing Road, which is just chaos in a good way at night — every sign blinking, people everywhere. Instead of walking (my feet were grateful), we hopped on this little trolley that rattled past shops and street food stalls. It felt a bit touristy but honestly? Sometimes that’s exactly what you want after a long day. By then my head was full of lights and stories; I still think about that view from the river deck sometimes, how Shanghai feels both familiar and totally new at night.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Evening Huangpu River Cruise and Bund Tour

• Evening cruise on Huangpu River
• View lights on both sides of the Bund
• Visit Peace Hotel nightlife center
• Trolley tour or walk on Nanjing Road

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this Shanghai evening tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off from central Shanghai are included.

How long is the Huangpu River cruise during this tour?

The evening cruise is part of a multi-stop tour but exact cruise duration isn’t specified.

Do I need to walk much on this tour?

You’ll walk along the Bund but can take a trolley on Nanjing Road instead of walking further.

Is there an English-speaking guide on this tour?

Yes, an English-speaking local guide leads the experience.

Are entry tickets for attractions included?

The tour includes river cruise tickets; other stops are public areas or viewed from outside.

Is this tour suitable for families or older travelers?

Yes, it’s suitable for all fitness levels; infants must sit on an adult’s lap.

What’s included

Your evening includes hotel pickup and drop-off in central Shanghai, entry to the Huangpu River cruise with your local English-speaking guide leading you through each stop, plus an optional trolley ride along Nanjing Road before heading back at night.