HARBOR: FERRYBOAT

After a few hours, we decided to go to the harbor, a few blocks north of Zhongshan Road directly across the street from the Lujiang Hotel. It was another fine day so we took a few minutes to saunter through the harbor park.

the view of Gulangyu Island from the harbor

Next, we finally went straight to the dock area where we boarded a ferryboat on our way to Gulangyu Island. Our trip was just a 10-minute ride across the city center. The ferry going to the island was free. However, the return trip cost us Y8.00 per head.

inside the ferryboat

If you want a more detailed tour or a longer cruise, there are also many different packages from ordinary to luxury (around Y106.00 to Y126.00 as of 12/2007), offered by many cruise lines to suit your different budgets.

HUANGPU RIVER CRUISE

After a sumptous fine Chinese set-meal dinner at the Yang Guang Hotel, we then headed to the Bund's southern end ferry port for a one-hour cruise on the Huangpo River.

We headed off on time, the ship sails off from the dock on the Bund as soon as we heared the loud sound of a big horn. We enjoyed an open panaromic views on both sides of the river, the buildings in different architectural styles on the west bank, the glittering modern skycrapers on the east bank, the bridges, the docks and the ships cruising one after another on the river.



Visitors going on cruises down the Huangpo River can admire the scenes both inside and outside the ships. The air-conditioned interior has stylish white couches with tables and large glass windows for viewing.



And a door that opens to outdoor seating on the observation deck.



On one side, one may see the glittering lofty Oriental TV Tower and the Shanghai International Convention Center.



As the ship heads north, we were treated to a long string of spectacular fireworks display.



Shortly after the fireworks ended, some tried to get conversations going with others, while I just seemed to sit, took pictures and kept watching to see where we were going until our boat made a u-turn and cruised again along the same route back to the Bund. After getting off of the ship, we hopped on a tour bus that took us to our hotel.

Definitely, evening is the best time for a cruise on the Huangpu River as numerous sparkling neon lights can be seen.