Shanghai: Oriental Pearl Tower, Huangpu River Cruise & Nanjing Road

Four Hours in Shanghai: From Tower Views to River Level to the City's First Shopping Street

You ride up the Oriental Pearl Tower for a panoramic view of Shanghai's layout, then cruise the Huangpu River to see the Bund's 80-100 year old colonial buildings from water level, visit the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall to see the city's future vision, and walk Nanjing Road, China's first shopping street. The afternoon includes an English-speaking guide, all entry tickets, and hotel pickup and drop-off.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Oriental Pearl Tower1h · entry included
2. Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall45m · entry included
3. People’s Squarepass by
4. Nanjing Road30m

Shanghai sightseeing and river cruise

• Visit Oriental TV Tower
• Enjoy panoramic city views
• Cruise on Huangpu River
• See historic Bund buildings
• Explore Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall
• Walk along Nanjing Road

The experience

You've got an afternoon free in Shanghai and you're not sure where to start: the city sprawls in every direction, and you don't have a car or a guide lined up. That's the moment this tour clicks. You start at the Oriental Pearl Tower, standing in Pudong Park in the Lujiazui District, and the main observatory gives you the thing you need first: a map of the whole place from above. From up there you can see the Huangpu River cutting through, the old colonial buildings clustered along the Bund, and the newer towers spreading out toward the horizon. It takes maybe an hour, and by the time you step back down you've oriented yourself to the thriving metropolis instead of wandering in circles.

Then the tour takes you down to water level. The Huangpu River cruise is the part that stays with you. You're floating past 80 to 100 year old buildings with Gothic, Baroque, and Romanesque facades all mixed together, a visual record of Shanghai's trading past. The river gives you a vantage point you can't get from the street, and the guide points out the stories in the architecture as you move. After that you stop at the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall, where there's a scale model of the city as it's planned for the future. It's the counterpoint to the old Bund you just saw from the water, and it makes sense why Shanghai feels like two cities at once.

The last stop is Nanjing Road, the first commercial street in China and still the main one. It's a pedestrian street, so you're walking through crowds of locals, business people, and tourists all moving in the same direction. It's not quiet, and it's not a hidden corner. It's exactly what Shanghai's energy feels like on the ground. Your guide is English-speaking, the vehicle is air-conditioned, and hotel pickup and drop-off in the city center are included, so you're not figuring out transport between stops or negotiating entry fees at each place.

What’s included

• English-speaking tour guide.
• air-conditioned vehicle transport between stops.
• admission to the Oriental Pearl Tower main observatory.
• Huangpu River cruise.
• entry to the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall with scale model of future Shanghai.
• time to walk Nanjing Road, China's first commercial street.
• hotel pickup and drop-off in the city center.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 12:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (6 and older) · Child (3 to 5 years) · Infant (under 3): free

Live guideEnglish and Chinese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical level

Operated by Hantang International Travel Service

Is this one for you?Pick this if you want to see Shanghai's main landmarks in one afternoon without arranging transport, buying tickets separately, or navigating the city alone: the fixed route and included guide handle all three, leaving you free to absorb what you're seeing.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Chinese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 5 years); Infant (under 3): free.

How long is the whole tour?

The tour is an afternoon experience covering four main stops. Exact duration depends on your hotel location and traffic, but plan for the afternoon block of your day.

What's included in the price?

Entry tickets to the Oriental Pearl Tower and Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall, the Huangpu River cruise, an English-speaking guide, air-conditioned vehicle transport, and hotel pickup and drop-off in the city center.

Is there time to shop on Nanjing Road?

Yes. Nanjing Road is the final stop, and you'll have time to walk the pedestrian street and browse. It's known as China's No. 1 shopping street.

Can I choose Shanghai Tower instead of Oriental Pearl Tower?

Yes. Shanghai Tower is an alternative option. It's China's tallest building and the second-highest in the world, and also offers panoramic views of the city.

Do I need to be fit for this tour?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. It involves walking on flat ground and some time standing, but there are no strenuous activities.

What will I see from the Huangpu River?

The Bund, Shanghai's cultural district along the river, with 80-100 year old buildings featuring Gothic, Baroque, and Romanesque architectural styles.