6 Night River Cruises in China to Build a Day Around

1.Huangpu Night Cruise: Cozy Vibe & Modern Shanghai Glow

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 520 reviews · 1 day · from $21Our pick

Cruise the Huangpu River for about 45 minutes, passing the Bund, Lujiazui towers, Oriental Pearl Tower, and historic bridges. Choose a daytime or evening sailing, then select indoor, semi-open, or open-air viewing areas. Tickets cost about $21, but outdoor and seated areas may require an extra RMB100. Collect paper tickets at the pier with your passport and booking code.

“It was an amazing experience from start to end. Really enjoyed the beautiful buildings on both sides of Huangpu River at night. Just a smooth ride.”

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2.Chongqing: Two Rivers Night Cruise- Yangtze & Jialing Rivers

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 64 reviews · 1 day · from $38

Board near Hongyadong pier for a 45-minute evening cruise on Chongqing’s Yangtze and Jialing Rivers. You’ll pass modern buildings, riverbank scenery, and the Grand Theatre while the city lights come alive. The boat usually runs between 19:00 and 21:00. Bring your passport, arrive early, and consider the optional 80-yuan VIP seating if you want a better view.

“The cruise was very nice and I would recommend to buy the vip package for 80 Yuan on board.”

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3.Guangzhou: Pearl River 1-hour Night Cruise (Optional Piers)

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 39 reviews · 1 day · from $15Best value

Take a Pearl River night cruise for about 40 minutes, or up to 70 minutes from Xidi Pier. Choose among six piers, including Tianzi, Haixinsha West District, and Canton Tower Fortune Pier. Your ticket includes an open-air seat, but you must check your email for the exact sailing time and ticket collection instructions.

“magnifique moment même s'il faisait très froid. Un peu compliqué à trouver le point de départ.”

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5.Night Cruise on Two Rivers & Four Lakes with Lights

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 5 reviews · 2 hours · from $92

You’ll ride an air-conditioned sightseeing boat through Guilin’s Li River, Peach Blossom River, and four city lakes for about 1.5 hours. Large panoramic windows frame the Twin Pagodas and musical fountains, while an English-speaking driver handles hotel pickup and return. Evening departures vary, so confirm your exact time the day before.

“We had a great night experience ! On the fist boat, we can be outside most of the time to let us the best view possible 👍👍 The guide was reliable, sympathetic with useful information!”

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6.Chengdu: JinJiang River Night Cruise Tickets

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 2 reviews · 2 hours · from $38

You’ll meet at Dongmen Wharf for a 30-minute night cruise on Chengdu’s JinJiang River. A Chinese-speaking greeter helps with boarding, while a glass-enclosed boat, heated seats, lantern-lit banks, Anshun Covered Bridge, and the Wedding of Two Rivers provide the main sights. Allow up to two hours for ticket exchange and boarding.

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