The Huangpu River (Huangpu Jiang) is the city's shipping artery both to the East China Sea and to the mouth of the Yangzi River and also a hot tourist attraction for Classic China travel, which the Huangpu joins 29km (18 miles) north of downtown Shanghai. It has also become a demarcating line between two Shanghais, east and west, past and future. On its western shore, the colonial landmarks of the Bund serve as a reminder of Shanghai's 19th-century struggle to reclaim a waterfront from the bogs of this river (which originates in nearby Dianshan Hu or Lake Dianshan); on the eastern shore, the steel-and-glass skyscrapers of the Pudong New Area point to a burgeoning financial empire of the future.

[img]http://www.tourschina.com/travel-shanghai/images/huangpu-river-c... day trips[/b][/url] often ends with Huangpu River Cruise. Between the stately colonial edifices along the Bund, the glittering skyscrapers on the eastern shore of Pudong, and the unceasing river traffic, there is plenty to keep your eyes from ever resting. Besides offering a privileged view of the bridges that span the Huangpu, the cruise boats also offer an excellent view of the famous colonial-era buildings that make up the Bund, buildings such as the Peace Hotel with its unique pyramid roof in blazing green and the Customs House with its large clock tower.

Buying Tickets: Find a ticket booth on the Bund Promenade. The promenade is on the opposite side of the street from the Bund historic architecture and serves as a river walk. Ticket offices are on the southern end of this promenade and are labeled in English, for example "Ticket Office, Scenery Sight-Seeing on Huang Pu River". The vendor will speak a little English but you don't usually have to wait long for the cruise to start. If you prefer natural scenery more, Guilin day trips will be strongly recommonded for you.