Boat Cruise on the Huangpu River　浦江游览

The Huangpu River was once referred to as the East River prior to the Tang Dynasty, and it is one of the three rivers flowing into the Taihu Lake. The name Huangpu River first appeared in the South Song Dynasty, and then in the beginning period of the Ming Dynasty it was called Big Huangpu. The river is 114 km long and averagely 400 m wide. In 1999, it was rectified by Shanghai Geography Association that it originates in the mountains of Anji, Zhejiang Province, where Mr. Wang Daohan, former Mayor of Shanghai, inscribed The Origin of the Huangpu River. Autumn Waves of the Huangpu River was considered as one of the scenic spots in Shanghai. On the 18th day of the lunar 8th month, the waves of the river form a fantastic view. As the mother river of Shanghai, it has witnessed the history of Shanghai's development for more than 700 years. The merging section of the Huangpu River and the Suzhou Creek, which is the starting point of the Bund, has the most prestigious and most gorgeous tourist views in Shanghai.

1．Day Cruise on the Huangpu River. The cruise boat starts from the dock at the Bund and sails northward. The scenic spots along the river are as follows: 1) The World Architectural Exposition in Puxi and the Gallery of World Buildings in Pudong that enhance each other's beauty; 2) The hundred-year-old Waibaidu Bridge is also referred by the locals as the granny bridge. It is located at where the Suzhou Creek joins the Huangpu River. Next to the bridge is the Shanghai Mansion, a landmark in Shanghai; 3) The overwhelming Yangpu Bridge, which connects the two banks of the river, making a thoroughfare above the waters; 4) The Gongqing Forest Park in Puxi, which is very rich in green trees and grass; 5) Zhanghuabang Harbor District along the west bank, the largest and world-class container port, where dozens of huge portal jib cranes are arrayed along the river; 6) The ancient Wusong Town, which has rows upon rows of tall buildings now; 7) The Wusong Mouth, where the waters of the Huangpu River flow into the Changjiang River, with a 45-meter-tall two-story signal building, as well as a tidal clock to measure the depth of water; 8) The ruins of the Wusong West Battery on the west bank, and the East Battery that has long been submerged in the Changjiang River. Along the Changjiang River is a Marsh Forest Park. On the east bank is Shanghai Riverside Forest Park, covering an area of over 1,800 mu. Because of its favorable geographical location by the Changjiang River as well as its excellent ecological environment, it has already become a paradise for birds even within less than two years since its set-up. So far, 102 precious species of birds have been found; therefore, it is a forest park with the largest variety of wild birds in Shanghai. On summer nights fireflies give off flashes and frogs croak everywhere. During the daytime, the pecking by the woodpeckers can be heard. In August 2007, the park was awarded the prize and trophy by IFLA. 9) The famous miraculous view of Three Kinds of Water at the mouth of the Changjiang River, where the water and the sky merge into one. There are two explanations for the so-called Three Kinds of Water: (1) Three streams, the grayish waters of the Huangpu River, the muddy waters of the Huangpu River because of the mud and sand from the Changjiang River and the blue waters of the Changjiang River, join here with very clear demarcation lines in between; (2) The grayish waters of the Huangpu River, the bluish gray waters of the Changjiang River and the blue waters of East China Sea merge here. The latter is more popular.

2．Night Cruise on the Huangpu River. With the Bund as the starting point, the boat cruises up to the Yangpu Bridge in the north and down to the Nanpu Bridge in the south. It is a classical route for night cruises on the Huangpu River. At night, the moon sheds silvery light on the Huangpu River. The bank along the Bund is in the shape of a crescent moon. And on the east side of the river is the grand and majestic Lujiazui. When night falls, both banks become a sea of brilliant colors, forming an amazing sight. The two bridges crossing over the river are like two dragons soaring in the sky. Lujiazui is reputed as the Oriental Pearl. Therefore, the view is described as two dragons playing with the pearl.