Current visitor details
Hours, admission, booking and passport guidance below come from the Place record shared by city, itinerary and booking pages. Unverified or stale high-risk claims are not shown as facts.
Booking
No booking. Pay 2 RMB per person per crossing with cash or transport card at the dock. Ferries run on a schedule; no reserved seats. Check last crossing time carefully.
On site: Buy token/ticket at the terminal before boarding.
Channels: Pay on-site at ferry terminal: cash or Shanghai Public Transport Card
Foreign passport
No ID or passport needed. Cash payment accepted. Equal access for all passengers.
Visit planning
Allow: 10-15 minutes per crossing (plus wait time for next ferry)
Physical load: light
Board at East Jinling Road (Puxi/Bund side) or Dongchang Road (Pudong/Lujiazui side). Pay by transport card or cash, board the ferry, ride across, and disembark. Ferries run in both directions.
Getting there
Puxi (Bund side): East Jinling Road Ferry Terminal (东金陵路渡口) — walk south from the Bund promenade along Zhongshan East 2nd Road to East Jinling Road, approximately 10 minutes walk south from Chen Yi Square. Pudong (Lujiazui side): Dongchang Road Ferry Terminal (东昌路渡口) — walk south from Lujiazui along Binjiang Dadao to Dongchang Road, approximately 10 minutes from the Oriental Pearl Tower area.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair access: Ferry terminals have ramps but boarding involves a gap between dock and boat; some boats may not be wheelchair-friendly. Assistance recommended.
Why this place matters
Shanghai's ferry system dates back to the 19th century and was the primary means of crossing the Huangpu River before tunnels and bridges were built. While many lines have been discontinued as bridges and metro tunnels opened, several ferry routes remain in operation as public transit. The Dongjin Line is particularly useful for tourists because its terminals are located at the most scenic section of the river.
What to notice
- This is a COMMUTER FERRY, not a cruise. Expect functional boats, basic seating (some indoors, some outdoor standing areas), and local commuters.
- 2 RMB per pedestrian crossing — one of the cheapest tourist experiences in Shanghai.
- Views of BOTH the Bund historic buildings AND the Lujiazui skyscrapers from the middle of the river.
- Ferries run every 12-15 minutes on the Dongjin Line.
- Payment by Shanghai Public Transport Card (交通卡) or cash at the ticket booth. No ID required.
- Do NOT confuse this with Huangpu River tourist cruise boats (浦江游览), which cost 100-200+ RMB and offer longer routes with commentary — these are completely different services departing from different docks.