Friday, May 1: After a long walk along the Bund, I find the ticket office for the Huangpu River tour and buy the ticket (120 yuan for a 50-minute ride). It’s a long walk, and a little confusing, from the ticket office to building #481, the boarding gate for the tour, but I finally find it. Since I just missed the 1:00 boat, I have quite a long wait until the next boat leaves at 2:00, but I’m happy to rest my aching feet for a while. I made the mistake of wearing sandals that I usually think are comfortable, but not for the amount of walking I’m doing today. Finally we board the boat and push off into the Huangpu River.
Huangpu River Boat
We see a lot of interesting seafaring vessels both at the dock and in the river.
Another strangely shaped boat
The sky is clearing up and we have great views of the Pudong skyscrapers, most notably the spiraling Shanghai World Financial Center.
Pudong as seen from the Huangpu River
And then there are the bookends of the Oriental Pearl TV Tower and Shanghai World Financial Center in Pudong.
the new Pudong
It’s always interesting me that on boat rides such as these, the Western tourists climb immediately to the top outdoor deck and stand at the railings for the views, while most of the Chinese people sit at the big banquet tables below deck, where they pull out snacks and drinks. For them, it’s all about food and socializing.
Meanwhile, on the top deck, I’m surrounded by tourists from all over the world. There are only a few Chinese on the upper deck, including a Chinese couple and their son, who I later come to know as Hubert, a very outgoing and talkative 12-year-old Chinese boy who speaks impeccable English. He pushes his way to the railing between me and a couple from Atlanta, and he talks away about the heights of all the famous skyscrapers and the length of the Huangpu River compared to the Mississippi River, and all other kinds of factual knowledge that I’m not prone to store in my head. He’s a non-stop talker, and it’s obvious the Atlanta couple is quite annoyed by him, but I’m impressed not only by his English-speaking ability but also by his confidence, spunk and all the knowledge in that 12-year-old head of his.
Pudong as a backdrop for boat traffic
We have some amazing views along the river, and luckily the haze in the sky has dissipated on this lovely afternoon.
Oriental Pearl TV Tower and the Pudong skyline
I also have a chat with a French woman who’s on a whirlwind tour of Beijing, Guilin, Shanghai and Hong Kong. It’s a beautiful day with a cool breeze and I enjoy commiserating with her and other travelers along the way.
Pudong skyline with the Shanghai World Financial Center
tall towers
Oriental Pearl TV Tower in Pudong
Oriental Pearl
Pudong from the river
Pudong from the river
Shanghai International Convention Center
Facing the river near the Oriental Pearl TV Tower is the white wing-shaped Shanghai International Convention Center.
Shanghai International Convention Center & Oriental Pearl Tower
Oriental Pearl Tower & Shanghai International Convention Center
Oriental Pearl Tower & Shanghai International Convention Center
We go a little further northeast along the river and then turn around and head back. Sadly, the sun is still not at the best angle to see the Bund clearly.
skyscrapers in Pudong
along the Huangpu River
Looking northeast along the Huangpu River
the western shore
buildings along the western shore of the river
buildings along the west shore
Hubert sticks by my side for the whole trip, talking away the entire time. He asks me for my phone number and adds me on WeChat. I fear his mother is going to ask me to tutor him online, but luckily she never does. However, his father does take a photo of the two of us together.
Hubert and me
more tall buildings
Suzhou Creek
The Bund
The Bund & the Shanghai Customs House
Colonial buildings along the Bund
The Bund
colorful boat
Coming in to the dock
a roundish boat
fancy structure near the boat jetty
River boat
After the boat ride, I walk back along the Bund, where I slowly, and with some trepidation, make my way back to the metro.
china diaries 
You got some astonishingly clear shots on this trip! Amazing! But what the heck is “the Bund” and where does that name come from and why is whatever it is, called that? Is it a district? A river quay? It has been driving me a bit crazy!
You must be counting the minutes now…..!!!!!!
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Thanks so much, Mona Lisa. I was lucky to have a clear day. My second day was all rain, so not nearly so nice. As for the Bund: it’s just a strip of colonial buildings along the west bank of the Huangpu River. According to Lonely Planet China, “since 1949, it’s been known officially as Zhongshan Lu, but it’s better known by locals as Wai Tan (literally “outside beach”). Named after an old Anglo-Indian term, “bunding” (the embankment of a muddy foreshore), the Bund was old Shanghai’s commercial heart, with the river on one side, the offices of the leading banks and trading houses on the other.” In short, I guess you’d call it the riverbank!
Now I really am counting the minutes, or at least the hours — 18!!
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There are some marvellous shapes there – boats and buildings! I bet Hubert couldn’t believe his luck, finding someone who was so happy for him to practise his English with.
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It was fun to talk to Hubert, Elaine. And yes, fantastic shapes along the riverfront! 🙂
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Shanghai is very impressive but I find the 120 RMB boat fare high. Maybe I’ve been in Nepal for too long.
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Things are getting increasingly expensive in China these days, Dai. I found Shanghai especially expensive. 🙂
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I love the green boat and the buildings looked so different once the light was on them.
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Thanks, Gilly. The afternoon light got better and better throughout the day. I’ve heard Shanghai rarely has blue skies, so I was lucky. 🙂
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I always enjoy river cruises. They are a great way to see a city from a different perspective.
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Me too, Carol. Put me on a boat any time and I’m happy. 🙂
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