Cruise port · China · Southeast & East Asia
Shanghai cruise port guide
Shanghai is China’s largest city, a mix of colonial-era waterfront, futuristic skyline and old lanes full of dumpling shops. Most big ships dock at Wusongkou, about an hour or more from the center, while smaller ships may berth near the Bund. Entry rules for US and Canadian passengers depend on your itinerary, so follow your cruise line’s instructions closely.
- City skylines
- Colonial architecture
- Dumplings
- Museums
- Shopping
Photo: MasaneMiyaPA, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Country
- China
- Region
- Southeast & East Asia
- Type of stop
- Cruise port
- Language
- Mandarin Chinese and the Shanghainese dialect. English is limited outside hotels and major sights; a translation app helps.
- Currency
- Chinese yuan (renminbi, ¥). Mobile payments dominate; carry cash and a card, and set up a payment app if possible.
- Best time to visit
- January–December
- Average highs
- 49–91°F through the year
About Shanghai
Shanghai grew from a fishing town into a treaty port in the 19th century, when British, French and American traders built the stately banks and hotels of the Bund. Across the Huangpu River, Pudong has risen since the 1990s into one of the world’s most recognizable skylines, led by the Shanghai Tower and the Oriental Pearl Tower.
A classic first visit covers the Bund, Yu Garden and the Old City, a walk down Nanjing Road and an evening or afternoon river view of Pudong. With more time, the plane-tree-lined streets of the former French Concession, the Shanghai Museum or a canal-side water town such as Zhujiajiao add depth.
Shanghai suits curious, energetic travelers who don’t mind crowds and a big-city pace. It’s worth knowing that local payment apps, internet restrictions and visa rules work differently from most cruise ports, so a little preparation goes a long way.
Where cruise ships dock in Shanghai
Most large ships use the Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal in Baoshan, north of the city where the Huangpu meets the Yangtze. From there, the Bund is roughly an hour or more by road, longer in heavy traffic, and ships usually offer shuttles or tours. Smaller ships sometimes berth at the Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal on the North Bund, within walking or short taxi distance of the Bund. The metro is efficient once you’re in the city. Seeing the main sights takes a full day, and many cruises start or end here or stay overnight.
Best things to do in Shanghai on a cruise
- 1
The Bund
history
This riverside promenade is lined with grand early-20th-century buildings in neoclassical and Art Deco styles, once the banks and trading houses of foreign powers. Across the river, Pudong’s towers make the classic Shanghai view. It’s best in late afternoon and after dark, when both sides light up.
- 2
Shanghai Tower
scenery
China’s tallest building twists upward in a spiral, with an observation deck near the top reached by some of the world’s fastest elevators. The views over Pudong and the Bund are huge on a clear day. Haze can limit visibility, so check conditions before paying for a ticket.
- 3
Yu Garden and the Old City
culture
A classical Chinese garden from the Ming dynasty, with rockeries, ponds, pavilions and a zigzag bridge. The surrounding bazaar and the City God Temple area are crowded and commercial but full of snack stalls, including famous xiaolongbao shops.
- 4
Former French Concession
culture
Tree-lined streets of villas and old lane houses with cafés and boutiques. Tianzifang is a maze of narrow alleys turned into small shops, and Xintiandi showcases restored shikumen stone-gate houses. It’s a pleasant area to wander when the Bund is too busy.
- 5
Shanghai Museum
culture
One of China’s best museums for ancient bronzes, ceramics, calligraphy and furniture, on People’s Square. Galleries are well laid out with English labels. Entry may require advance reservation, so check before you go.
- 6
Zhujiajiao water town
history
About an hour from central Shanghai, this canal town has stone bridges, old houses and boat rides along narrow waterways. It’s busy and touristy, but it offers a glimpse of the traditional Jiangnan region. It works best as a guided tour given the distance from Wusongkou.
Shanghai weather by month
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 499 | 5111 | 6016 | 7021 | 7826 | 8329 | 8932 | 9133 | 8429 | 7423 | 6518 | 5211 |
| Low °F (°C) | 352 | 373 | 447 | 5312 | 6217 | 7122 | 7926 | 7926 | 7222 | 6116 | 5111 | 384 |
| Rain in (mm) | 2.870 | 3.383 | 4.1104 | 4.3110 | 5.0126 | 9.6243 | 8.0203 | 6.4163 | 8.1205 | 3.896 | 3.896 | 1.949 |
| Daylight (hrs) | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 10 |
What to eat and drink in Shanghai
Shanghai is the place for xiaolongbao, delicate soup-filled dumplings, and shengjian bao, pan-fried buns with crispy bottoms. Try hong shao rou, glossy red-braised pork belly, and cong you ban mian, simple noodles tossed in scallion oil. In autumn, hairy crab is a prized seasonal treat. Drunken chicken and smoked fish are classic cold starters, and tea houses in the Old City serve local snacks.
Tips for your port day
- Follow your cruise line’s visa instructions exactly. US and Canadian citizens have traditionally needed a Chinese visa, but visa-free options now exist for some cruise passengers in organized groups and for short transits to a third country.
- Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before your trip if you can; many small vendors don’t take cards, and carry some yuan in cash.
- Google, Gmail, WhatsApp and many Western social media sites are blocked on local networks; international roaming on your home plan usually still works.
- Allow plenty of time to get back to Wusongkou; traffic in and out of the city can add considerably to the trip.
- Carry your passport or a copy when ashore, as some attractions and hotels ask for identification.
Cruise lines that visit Shanghai
Often on the same itinerary
Shanghai cruise FAQs
Do US citizens need a visa for a cruise to Shanghai?
It depends on your itinerary. Chinese visas have traditionally been required, but China now offers visa-free entry for some cruise passengers in organized groups and for transits to a third country. Your cruise line will tell you what your sailing needs.
How far is the Shanghai cruise terminal from the Bund?
From Wusongkou, roughly an hour or more by road, depending on traffic. From the North Bund terminal used by smaller ships, the Bund is a short walk or taxi ride.
Can I use my credit card in Shanghai?
Sometimes. Hotels, large stores and many restaurants accept foreign cards, but small shops and stalls often expect Alipay or WeChat Pay, so carry some cash too.
Does Google work in Shanghai?
Not on local Wi-Fi or Chinese SIM cards, where Google services are blocked. International roaming on your home carrier generally bypasses the block.
What is the best thing to do in Shanghai on a cruise?
For a first visit, the Bund, Yu Garden and a view of Pudong from the river or the Shanghai Tower cover the essentials in one day.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: Wikipedia, Wikidata, NASA POWER climate data.