Shanghai River Cruise & Din Tai Fung: Private Night Tour

Summary

Private Shanghai night tour with river views and premium dumplings

You’ll wander The Bund’s glowing riverside, relax in VIP comfort on a Huangpu River cruise with sweeping city views, stroll through Xintiandi’s historic lanes, and savor Michelin-starred soup dumplings at Din Tai Fung — all guided by a friendly local who makes Shanghai feel personal. It’s an evening you’ll remember long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest — I almost bailed when I realized the sky was threatening rain, but our guide, Li, just grinned and said, “Shanghai’s even better with reflections.” He was right. We started at The Bund, where the old colonial buildings glow under neon lights. There’s this faint smell of roasted chestnuts from a street vendor nearby (I nearly caved), and you can hear snippets of French from tourists mixing with Shanghainese chatter. It’s busy but not overwhelming — more like everyone’s waiting for something to happen.

Getting on the Huangpu River cruise felt oddly fancy — VIP seats meant we didn’t have to jostle for space. The boat glided past both sides of the city: one side all stately stone facades, the other side skyscrapers lit up like some futuristic movie set. Li pointed out which tower was which (I still mix up the names), but honestly I just stared at the lights reflecting in the water. There was a moment when everything went quiet except for the low hum of the engine and someone’s laughter drifting from below deck. That stuck with me.

Afterwards, we walked through Xintiandi — those Shikumen buildings are so different up close, kind of rough brick and polished glass together. Dinner at Din Tai Fung was next. I tried to say “xiaolongbao” properly; Li laughed (gently) at my attempt. The soup dumplings were delicate but somehow hearty too — I burned my tongue on the first one because I got impatient. You get to pick your dishes, which is good if you’re picky or veggie.

The whole thing only took about four hours but it felt longer in a good way. Maybe it was the way Shanghai looks at night or maybe just that feeling of being somewhere unfamiliar but safe, with someone local showing you around. Hard to explain — I still think about that view from the river sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Shanghai Night Tour and Dinner

• Meet guide and travel to The Bund
• VIP Huangpu River cruise
• Dinner at Din Tai Fung restaurant

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included in this Shanghai river cruise tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included for downtown Shanghai hotels.

How long does the private night tour last?

The entire experience lasts about 4 hours from start to finish.

Are vegetarian options available at Din Tai Fung?

Yes, vegetarian options are available if requested when booking.

What is included in the VIP class river cruise?

You get reserved VIP seating for better views during the 60-minute Huangpu River cruise.

Can I choose my own dishes at dinner?

Yes, you can select dishes based on your dietary preferences at Din Tai Fung.

Does this tour operate if it rains?

Yes, it operates in all weather conditions; dress appropriately for rain or shine.

Which attractions are visited during this Shanghai night tour?

The tour includes The Bund, Huangpu River cruise, Xintiandi area, and dinner at Din Tai Fung.

If my hotel is outside downtown Shanghai, can I join?

If your hotel isn’t downtown, your guide will give instructions to meet downtown instead.

What’s included

Your evening includes private hotel pickup and drop-off within downtown Shanghai, VIP class tickets for a Huangpu River cruise with reserved seating, dinner at Michelin-starred Din Tai Fung (with menu choices), plus an expert local guide and private driver throughout your experience.