Huangpu River Ferry: Shanghai’s Cheapest Skyline Ride (2026)

The Huangpu River ferry is the best-value sightseeing in Shanghai. For 2 yuan, you can cross the river on a local commuter boat, watch the Bund and Lujiazui slide past, and arrive on the other side in about ten minutes. It is not a guided cruise, there is no commentary, and the boat is basic. That is exactly why it is worth doing.

The city operates 17 ferry lines with nearly 34 stations on both sides of the Huangpu, according to the official Shanghai government transport guide. Most are commuter routes. Three are especially useful for visitors, because their crossings offer the best skyline views.

Why take the ferry instead of a cruise

• Price: 2 yuan for pedestrians, compared with 100–150 yuan for a sightseeing cruise.
• Authenticity: you are riding with local commuters, cyclists, and delivery workers, not a tour group.
• Views: the Bund, Lujiazui, and the river are right there, at water level.
• Speed: crossings take only a few minutes, so you can do it twice without losing a day.
• Flexibility: no booking, no fixed time slot, no queue for a themed boat.

The trade-off is comfort and information. There is no English commentary, seating is limited, and the boat can be crowded at rush hour. If you want a table, a narrated tour, and a longer route, take a cruise. If you want a cheap, memorable crossing, take the ferry.

The three best routes for visitors

Taigong Line: the sunset crossing

The Taigong Line is known as the city's "most beautiful sunset ferry route", according to the official guide. It connects:

• Pudong: Taigongzhan Pier, No 1 South Pudong Road. Hours: 6:00–21:50.
• Puxi: Gongping Road Pier, No 1 Gongping Road. Hours: 6:00–21:40.

This is the route to take if you want the classic sunset view of the Bund and Lujiazui. Arrive 15–20 minutes before sunset, board on the Pudong side if you want to look back at the Bund, or on the Puxi side if you want Lujiazui in front of you.

Dongfu Line: the night crossing

The Dongfu Line is the night-scenery route. It connects:

• Pudong: Dongchang Road Ferry Pier, No 3510 Binjiang Avenue. Hours: 7:15–21:00.
• Puxi: Fuxing Road Ferry Pier, No 1 East Fuxing Road. Hours: 7:00–21:00.

This is a good choice after dinner, when the skyscrapers and the Bund are lit. The crossing is short, so do not expect a long river tour. Think of it as a ten-minute night view with a breeze.

Dongjin Line: the daytime pedestrians-only crossing

The Dongjin Line connects:

• Pudong: Dongchang Road Ferry Pier, No 3510 Binjiang Avenue. Hours: 7:15–18:15.
• Puxi: East Jinling Road Ferry Pier, No 141 East Zhongshan Road Number Two. Hours: 7:15–18:30.

This route is pedestrians only, which makes it calmer than the mixed-traffic ferries. It operates during the day, so it is not a night option. It is a good choice for a daytime crossing between the Bund and Lujiazui.

How to ride

1. Go to the correct pier. The Puxi and Pudong sides have separate entrances, and the piers are not always signposted in English. Use a map pin for the specific pier name.
2. Pay at the pier. Pedestrians pay 2 yuan; bikes and e-bikes pay 2.8 yuan; motorcycles pay 4 yuan. Bring small change or use the Shanghai Public Transportation Card as a backup.
3. Board when the gate opens. Crossings are short and frequent, but there is no reserved seating. Stand near the rail if you want photographs.
4. Stay clear of the vehicle lane. Cyclists and scooters board separately; do not walk in front of them.
5. Get off at the other side and walk into the neighbourhood. The ferry is a crossing, not a loop.

Ferry hours can change with seasons and maintenance. Check the official Shanghai Ferry WeChat account ("上海轮渡") and its "云上航线" route information before a late or early crossing, as the official guide recommends.

Best time and direction

• Sunset on the Taigong Line is the classic. The light is warm, the skyline is silhouetted, and the crossing is short enough to repeat.
• Night on the Dongfu Line is best for the lit-up city. The Bund and Lujiazui are at their most photogenic after dark.
• Daytime on the Dongjin Line is calm and good for photography, especially if you want to avoid the evening crowd.
• Weekday mornings are commuter time: authentic, but crowded. If you are carrying luggage, avoid rush hour.

For photographs, stand at the open rail on the side facing the skyline. A wide lens captures the river and buildings; a short telephoto picks out details. Do not use a flash; it will not help at that distance and will annoy other passengers.

Ferry vs sightseeing cruise

The official sightseeing cruise departs from Shiliupu Piers 1 and 2 and heads toward the Yangpu Bridge before turning back. It passes the Bund, Waibaidu Bridge, the Monument to the People's Heroes, and the Lujiazui skyline.

Prices, according to the official guide:

• Peak season (Feb 26–Nov 25): day voyage 120 yuan; night voyage 150 yuan.
• Off-peak (Nov 26–Feb 25): day voyage 100 yuan; night voyage 120 yuan.
• Public holidays: 150 yuan.
• Discounts: free for children under 1.3 meters; half price for children 1.3–1.5 meters and seniors aged 70 and over.

Choose the cruise if you want a longer ride, seating, and a narrated experience. Choose the ferry if you want the view, the local experience, and the low price. Both are valid; they are different products.

Pairing the ferry with a walking route

The simplest classic route is:

1. Walk the Bund in the late afternoon.
2. Take the Taigong Line or Dongjin Line to Pudong.
3. Walk the Lujiazui riverside and the circular pedestrian bridge.
4. Return by ferry after dark, or take the metro.

My Bund guide and Lujiazui guide cover both sides. The one-day itinerary puts the ferry in a realistic schedule.

Common mistakes

• Confusing the ferry with the sightseeing cruise. The ferry is a 2-yuan commuter boat, not a tour.
• Going to the wrong pier. The Puxi and Pudong piers have different names and locations.
• Arriving after the last crossing. Check the hours, especially on the Dongjin Line.
• Expecting English announcements. There are none; watch the stops and the map.
• Standing in the vehicle lane. Keep clear of cyclists and scooters.
• Not checking the weather. Strong wind and rain make the open deck uncomfortable.

The bottom line

The Huangpu River ferry is a must-do if you want a real Shanghai crossing at a real price. Take the Taigong Line at sunset or the Dongfu Line at night, pay 2 yuan, and enjoy the skyline from the water. It is not a cruise, and that is the point.

Check the official sources below for current hours, fares, and service notices before you go.