Most large cruise ships berth at Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal in Baoshan District — a solid 45–60 minutes from the city core. Plan transportation before you disembark.
💡 Pro move: Some luxury lines (Silversea, Crystal) may dock at the more central Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal in Hongkou — confirm with your line, as this terminal is only 15 min from The Bund.
Shanghai has three cruise terminals; Wusongkou handles the vast majority of large international ships.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| MSC, Royal Caribbean, Holland America, most large ships | Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal, Baoshan District📍 | Docked |
| Silversea, smaller luxury ships | Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal, Hongkou District📍 | Docked |
| Select calls | Waigaoqiao International Cruise Terminal, Pudong📍 | Docked |
Shanghai rewards every interest — art deco waterfront, classical Ming gardens, buzzing street food lanes, and nearby ancient water towns.
Stroll the 1.5 km Bund promenade along the Huangpu River, soaking up the colonial-era banking facades opposite the sci-fi Pudong skyline. Cross the river to the observation deck of the Shanghai Tower (China's tallest and the world's third-tallest building) for jaw-dropping views.
Find Bund & Skyline tours →Yu Garden (Yuyuan) is a 16th-century Ming Dynasty classical garden of rockeries, pavilions, and koi ponds. The surrounding bazaar is packed with xiaolongbao stalls, silk shops, and souvenir vendors — arrive early to beat the crowds.
Find Yu Garden tours →The former French Concession retains tree-lined avenues, 1930s villas, and art galleries. Tianzifang's warren of shikumen (stone-gate house) lanes is now full of indie cafes, boutiques, and studios — one of Shanghai's best wanders.
Find French Concession tours →About 50 km southwest of Shanghai, Zhujiajiao is an 1,700-year-old canal town with 36 stone bridges, riverside teahouses, and gondola rides. An ideal half-day escape from the megacity bustle.
Find Zhujiajiao day trips →One of Shanghai's most celebrated Buddhist temples, housing two carved white jade Buddha statues brought from Myanmar in 1882. Active monastery with resident monks, incense-filled courtyards, and peaceful halls away from the tourist bustle.
Find temple & culture tours →Xiaolongbao (soup dumplings), sheng jian bao (pan-fried pork buns), and scallion pancakes are Shanghai's iconic bites. Combine a food walk in the Old Town with a browse along Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street — China's busiest shopping strip.
Find Shanghai food tours →The Bund area is the most rewarding self-guided walk — combine it with the Old Town for a full half-day on foot.
Start at the northern end of the Bund near Waibaidu Bridge, walk the full promenade south past the Peace Hotel and Customs House, then cut inland through Nanjing Road East to Yu Garden Bazaar. Finish with a xiaolongbao stop at one of the street stalls near the Huxinting Teahouse.
Start at Fuxing Road Metro Station and wander west along Fuxing Middle Road past garden villas and plane trees. Turn into Tianzifang's alleyways for coffee and craft shops, then finish on Xintiandi's stone-paved plaza.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Climate normals for Shanghai, Shanghai, China (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 49°F / 9°C | 35°F / 2°C | 8 | 6:53 AM | 5:13 PM |
| Feb | 51°F / 11°C | 37°F / 3°C | 9 | 6:35 AM | 5:41 PM |
| Mar | 60°F / 16°C | 44°F / 7°C | 11 | 6:04 AM | 6:01 PM |
| Apr | 68°F / 20°C | 52°F / 11°C | 10 | 5:26 AM | 6:22 PM |
| May | 77°F / 25°C | 62°F / 17°C | 11 | 4:58 AM | 6:42 PM |
| Jun | 82°F / 28°C | 70°F / 21°C | 16 | 4:49 AM | 6:59 PM |
| Jul | 88°F / 31°C | 77°F / 25°C | 19 | 5:00 AM | 6:59 PM |
| Aug | 88°F / 31°C | 78°F / 26°C | 16 | 5:19 AM | 6:36 PM |
| Sep | 81°F / 27°C | 70°F / 21°C | 13 | 5:38 AM | 5:59 PM |
| Oct | 73°F / 23°C | 60°F / 16°C | 7 | 5:57 AM | 5:22 PM |
| Nov | 64°F / 18°C | 51°F / 11°C | 10 | 6:21 AM | 4:55 PM |
| Dec | 52°F / 11°C | 38°F / 3°C | 7 | 6:45 AM | 4:53 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
City Sightseeing buses operate multi-route hop-on hop-off service covering major Shanghai landmarks. Not departing directly from cruise terminals — taxi/metro needed first.
Metered taxis are readily available at all terminals. Wusongkou (main port) is 25–30 km from downtown, a 45–60 min ride; North Bund terminal is only 5–6 km away. Shanghai is largely cashless — link a card to Alipay or WeChat Pay before arrival.
From Wusongkou, a free terminal shuttle runs to Baoyang Road Station (Metro Line 3) for city connections. From the North Bund terminal, Metro Line 12 (International Cruise Terminal Station) provides direct access to central Shanghai.
DiDi Chuxing is the dominant ride-hailing app in Shanghai — think of it as China's Uber. Book via the DiDi app or through WeChat/Alipay. Uber does not operate in mainland China.
Pre-booked private transfers offer a hassle-free option, especially from Wusongkou. Drivers meet you at the exit with a sign. Useful for groups or those with heavy luggage.
Upcoming cruises that call at Shanghai, Shanghai, China. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.