Huangpu River Cruise, Shanghai

I was on a group tour so had to do the group activities. Like many of the others here said, there's lots of pushing and jostling to get aboard. I don't know why, as our boat wasn't very crowded at all, but that doesn't stop the Chinese from pushing you out of the way to get ahead of you. I really didn't understand the point of the whole cruise, as I didn't see anything that couldn't have been seen from the land, and had to be constantly blinded by people taking flash photography of buildings 300 yards away. You will be constantly harassed onshore by people trying to sell you the most worthless things you can imagine. You'd think one of them would sell something that had to do with the cruise or Shanghai, but no. Do yourself a favor and ignore the Chinese people who tell you to go on this tour.

There are many shops in the Bund that will give you a chance to take the River Cruise - the one we took cost about 50RMB per person (it was before 6pm, the rate becomes higher past 6pm), and we were brought to the dock/pier in a private van, although the driver was about 20-25 minutes late (He just left the van, presumably to do some something of earth shattering importance.) We weren't allowed to bring drinks in the boat, a ploy to sell us the expensive drinks on board. (Traveler tip: Bring a bottle of water with you when walking in Shanghai - you'll need it!) The cruise itself was pleasant, best experienced on the topmost level (some people decided to watch the Olympics in the lower deck - why did they even take the Cruise to begin with?!?) The Pudong skyline is AMAZING. It has to be seen to be believed. The funniest part of the trip were the stickers of Chinglish (the Chinese-English hybrid) instructions posted around the boat. Near the stairs to the top we were advised to "Please do slide carefully" and to control the mob, we were advised to "Don't crowded." Oh, and the driver didn't wait for us after our ride. We had to jostle with the locals at rush hour for a cab ride (the MRT station was nowhere in sight). Thankfully, I am used to this situation: Manila can be hellish when it comes to traffic situations and public transport - no stranger here!

I had a nice river cruise, though the local chinese men were absolutely hammered on alcohol. So lots of pushing and shoving because they could stand up straight

it look like it a must to go on board a cruise as it is a tourist attraction, I pay 78RMB to go on board the 1 hour long cruise, and when i get was half an hour of total darkness. i get to see the night view of Pudong but get disappointed after the second half with total darkness (nothing to see). The air and the wind along HuangPu river was also disappointing. Due to the China mainland industrious, there are air pollution. the wind carry the smell of haze, smoke and dust as i was on board and i hope we dont experience it all year round. i dont recommend but since u are already there, must well go for it! u might miss some interesting site.

Cheap tickets by Western Standards. Best time to be on the cruise is at Dusk. One could view all the river front anf the view of the Oriental Pearl TV tower from the river is fantastic, in my opinion. Again lots of phot opportunities. Do not miss a photo of the tower when the boat nears the middle of two of the domes on either side of thetower. The cruise last about an hour and a half. Well worth it.