Asia
Ships dock at the Shanghai International Cruise Terminal (Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal) in the Baoshan district, approximately 30 km north of the city centre.
Shanghai doesn’t ease you in gently — it hits you with 26 million people, a skyline that rewrites the rules, and street food so good you’ll rethink everything you thought you knew about Chinese cuisine. One day here barely scratches the surface, but it’s enough to leave a mark.
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Arriving by Ship
Shanghai’s cruise ships dock at one of two terminals: the Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal in Baoshan District, about 30km north of the city centre, or the newer Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal closer to the Bund. Wusongkou is the more common arrival point, and from there you’re looking at a 45-minute taxi or metro ride into the heart of the city — budget around 100–150 RMB for a cab.
All berths are alongside (no tendering required), so you’ll be off the ship and moving quickly. Pre-book transport or join a ship excursion if you’re nervous about navigating independently — Shanghai’s metro is excellent but the signage, while bilingual, can feel overwhelming on your first visit.
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Things to Do
Shanghai packs centuries of history, jaw-dropping architecture, and neighbourhood-level charm into one relentlessly energetic city. Whether you have four hours or a full day, here’s where to spend your time.
History & Culture
- The Bund — Shanghai’s iconic waterfront promenade is free to walk and best visited early morning before the crowds arrive; the colonial-era buildings on one side and the Pudong skyline on the other create one of the world’s great urban views.
- Yu Garden (Yuyuan Garden) — This Ming Dynasty garden in the Old City costs 40 RMB and takes about 90 minutes; arrive before 9am to avoid tour group chaos.
- Shanghai Museum — Free entry and world-class collections of ancient bronzes, ceramics, and calligraphy; plan two hours minimum and go straight for the Ancient Chinese Bronze Gallery.
- The Former French Concession — A walkable neighbourhood of plane-tree-lined streets, Art Deco mansions, and independent cafés that feels entirely different from the rest of the city.
Modern Shanghai
- Shanghai Tower — At 632 metres, it’s the world’s second-tallest building; tickets to the observation deck cost 180 RMB and the views on a clear day are genuinely staggering. 🎟 Book: 4-Hour Private Tour of Pudong with China Art Palace Museum and Shanghai Tower
- China Art Palace Museum — Housed in the former China Pavilion from the 2010 World Expo, entry is free and the contemporary Chinese art collection rivals anything in the West. 🎟 Book: 4-Hour Private Tour of Pudong with China Art Palace Museum and Shanghai Tower
- Guided Walking Tour of the City — If you want to make sense of Shanghai’s layers fast, a structured walk with a local is hard to beat. 🎟 Book: Shanghai City Guided Walking Tour | China's 1st and Best Rated
Experiences Worth Your Time
- Chinese Calligraphy Class — Spending two hours with a working calligrapher is surprisingly moving; you leave with a piece of art you actually made. 🎟 Book: 2-Hour Chinese Calligraphy with an Artist in Shanghai, China
- Acrobatics Show — Shanghai’s acrobatics troupes are genuinely world-class; evening shows typically run 90 minutes and combine jaw-dropping feats with theatrical spectacle.
- Tianzifang — A maze of alleyways in the former French Concession filled with independent art studios, boutiques, and tiny cafés; free to wander and endlessly photogenic.
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What to Eat
Shanghai cuisine (Shanghainese, or Ben Bang) is sweeter and richer than most Chinese regional cooking — think braised meats, delicate dumplings, and freshwater seafood. Street food here is genuinely outstanding and remarkably cheap.
- Xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) — The city’s signature dish; head to Din Tai Fung in Xintiandi or Jia Jia Tang Bao on Huanghe Road for the real thing, from around 45–60 RMB for a steamer basket.
- Shengjianbao (pan-fried pork buns) — Crisp on the bottom, juicy inside; grab them fresh from Yang’s Fry-Dumpling on Wujiang Road for about 8 RMB for four.
- Braised pork belly (Hong Shao Rou) — Rich, lacquered, falling-apart tender; found in traditional Shanghainese restaurants citywide for 60–80 RMB a dish.
- Hairy crab (seasonal) — If you’re visiting October through December, this is a must; expect to pay 100–200 RMB per crab at specialist restaurants near Chenghuang Temple.
- Scallion oil noodles — Deceptively simple and utterly addictive; available at hole-in-the-wall noodle shops throughout the city for 15–25 RMB.
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Shopping
Nanjing Road is Shanghai’s famous shopping strip — a kilometre-long pedestrian street packed with international brands, department stores, and tourist-friendly shops. It’s worth a stroll, but for more interesting buys, head to Tianzifang for locally made ceramics, silk goods, and contemporary art prints. The fake goods markets (like the South Bund Fabric Market) are well-known but be aware that buying counterfeit items is technically illegal.
Look for quality silk, hand-painted fans, Pu’er tea, and Shanghainese-style lacquerware as genuinely worthwhile souvenirs. Avoid cheap “jade” and mass-produced figurines — if the price seems absurdly low, the quality matches.
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Practical Tips
- Currency — China uses the Chinese Yuan (RMB); card payments are widely accepted but WeChat Pay or Alipay dominate, so carry some cash.
- Tipping — Not expected or customary in mainland China; leaving money on the table can occasionally cause confusion.
- Transport — Taxis are metered and honest; the metro is cheap and fast but buy a transit card (20 RMB deposit) rather than single tickets.
- Internet access — Google, Instagram, and most Western social apps are blocked; download a VPN before you leave the ship.
- Best time ashore — Head out by 8am to beat tour groups to Yu Garden and the Bund; return to the ship after dark if possible — Shanghai’s lit-up skyline is extraordinary.
- How long you need — Six hours is the minimum to hit the Bund, Yu Garden, and a meal; a full day lets you breathe and explore a neighbourhood properly.
- Language — English is spoken in tourist areas and hotels but not widely elsewhere; download Google Translate with the Chinese offline pack before you go.
Shanghai rewards the curious — go with an open mind, an empty stomach, and comfortable shoes, and it will exceed every expectation you arrived with.
🎟️ Things to Book in Advance
These highly-rated experiences fill up fast — book before you arrive to avoid missing out.
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Getting Around from the Port
Taxi
Taxis are readily available outside the terminal; insist on the meter or negotiate a fixed fare before departure. Have your destination written in Chinese characters.
Metro
A free shuttle bus operates from the terminal to Baoyang Road Metro Station, where you can take Line 1 into the city centre. Buy a stored-value transit card at the station for convenience.
Ship Shore Excursion Bus
All major cruise lines operating here offer organised coach excursions departing directly from the terminal; the most stress-free option given the distance and language barrier.
Private Transfer / Driver
Pre-booked private car with English-speaking driver is highly recommended for independent travellers; can be arranged via Viator or local tour operators before sailing.
Port Shuttle Bus
Some cruise lines operate a paid port shuttle to a central drop-off point near the Bund; check with your cruise line before arrival as availability varies by ship and season.
Top Things To Do
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The Bund (Waitan)
Shanghai's most iconic waterfront promenade stretches along the western bank of the Huangpu River, lined with grand colonial-era buildings from the early 20th century. It offers sweeping views across to the futuristic Pudong skyline and is best appreciated on foot. The area is always busy and is an essential first stop for any cruise passenger visiting Shanghai.
Find shore excursions on Viator2
Yu Garden (Yuyuan Garden)
A beautifully preserved classical Chinese garden dating from the Ming Dynasty, located in the heart of the Old City near the famous Chenghuang Temple bazaar. The garden features rockeries, pavilions, koi ponds, and traditional architecture spread across about 2 hectares. The surrounding bazaar area offers excellent shopping for souvenirs, silk, and traditional snacks.
Find shore excursions on Viator3
Shanghai Tower & Pudong Skyline
The Shanghai Tower is the world's second-tallest building at 632 metres and its observation deck on the 118th floor offers breathtaking 360-degree views of the city. It sits alongside the Jin Mao Tower and Shanghai World Financial Center in the Lujiazui financial district, making this one of the most dramatic urban skylines on earth. Pre-booking tickets online is strongly advised to avoid long queues.
Find shore excursions on Viator4
Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street
One of the world's busiest shopping streets, stretching approximately 1.2 km through the heart of Shanghai, lined with department stores, international brands, local retailers, and street food vendors. It connects People's Square with The Bund and is a great place to soak up the city's energy. Best combined with a visit to The Bund as both are within easy walking distance of each other.
Find shore excursions on Viator5
Shanghai Museum
One of China's finest museums, housing an exceptional collection of ancient Chinese art including bronzes, ceramics, calligraphy, jade, and paintings spanning thousands of years of history. Located on People's Square, it is free to enter and offers a world-class cultural experience in an impressive modern building. Audio guides are available in English, making it very accessible for international visitors.
Find shore excursions on Viator6
Tianzifang (French Concession Art District)
A charming network of narrow 1920s shikumen (stone-gate house) laneways in the former French Concession, now filled with independent boutiques, art galleries, cafes, and craft shops. It provides a wonderfully atmospheric contrast to Shanghai's skyscrapers and is a favourite for browsing locally designed goods and having lunch. Less touristy than Yu Garden and well worth the visit for those who enjoy offbeat neighbourhoods.
Find shore excursions on Viator7
Oriental Pearl Tower
The iconic pink-and-silver tower with its distinctive spheres has been a symbol of Pudong's development since the 1990s and remains one of Shanghai's most recognised landmarks. The tower contains observation decks at multiple levels and a Shanghai City History Museum at its base, which alone is worth a visit. Located directly across the river from The Bund, it is easily combined with a Bund visit via a short ferry or taxi ride.
Find shore excursions on Viator8
Zhujiajiao Water Town (Day Trip)
A remarkably well-preserved ancient water town about 50 km west of Shanghai, with stone bridges, canal-side Ming and Qing dynasty houses, and traditional teahouses. Often called the 'Venice of Shanghai,' it offers an evocative glimpse of old Jiangnan culture that feels worlds away from the modern city. Best visited on an organised half-day tour from the cruise terminal, as travel time makes independent access tight within a port call.
Find shore excursions on ViatorPractical Tips for Cruise Passengers
- Internet access is heavily restricted in China u2014 WhatsApp, Google, and many Western apps are blocked. Download a reputable VPN before your trip and activate it before you arrive in Chinese waters, as installing one once in China is difficult.
- Carry your passport at all times as you may be asked to show ID, and take a printed card with your ship's name, terminal address in Chinese, and your return time to show to taxi drivers.
- Mobile payment via WeChat Pay or Alipay is dominant in Shanghai and many small vendors no longer accept cash; however, major tourist sites and larger restaurants still accept UnionPay cards and often cash. Exchange some Chinese Yuan (RMB/CNY) before leaving the ship.
- Shanghai traffic can be severe, especially during morning and evening rush hours (7u20139am and 5u20137pm). Allow generous buffer time to return to the ship u2014 the Wusongkou terminal is 30 km from the city and being late could mean missing your ship.
- Mandarin is the primary language; English is spoken at major hotels, tourist sites, and some restaurants in the tourist areas, but is rare elsewhere. Use a translation app such as Google Translate (downloaded offline before you arrive) or Baidu Translate to communicate.
- The currency is the Chinese Yuan Renminbi (CNY/RMB). USD is not widely accepted for day-to-day purchases outside the cruise terminal. ATMs are available throughout the city, but inform your bank before travel as some foreign cards are blocked.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal is located in the Baoshan district, approximately 30 km north of the main tourist areas such as The Bund and Yu Garden. Walking into the city is not feasible. You will need a taxi, metro (via shuttle bus to the nearest station), a private transfer, or an organised shore excursion.
Most cruise ships spend between 10 and 14 hours in Shanghai, typically docking in the morning and departing in the evening, though some itineraries include an overnight stay of up to two days. Check your specific ship's schedule carefully, as the 30 km distance to the city means transit time significantly eats into your available time ashore.
Shanghai is generally a very safe city for tourists and petty crime is low by international standards. However, independent exploration presents challenges due to the language barrier, internet restrictions, and the significant distance from the terminal to the city. Experienced travellers comfortable with navigation apps and basic Mandarin phrases can manage independently, but most cruise passengers benefit from either an organised tour or a pre-booked private English-speaking driver.
Chinese Yuan Renminbi (CNY or RMB), commonly referred to as 'kuai' locally. USD is not accepted for general purchases. ATMs are widely available in the city. Note that mobile payments (WeChat Pay and Alipay) are the dominant payment method and some smaller vendors may not accept cash, so it is worth setting up a WeChat Pay account linked to a foreign card if possible before your visit.
For first-time visitors with limited time, a guided half-day tour combining The Bund, Yu Garden, and the Old City bazaar gives the best overview of Shanghai's historic and cultural highlights. Those interested in modern architecture should opt for a Pudong skyline tour including the Shanghai Tower observation deck. If your ship is in port for a full day, the Zhujiajiao Water Town excursion is highly recommended for a completely different perspective on Chinese culture and history.
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