The Huangpu River (Huangpu Jiang) links Shanghai to both the East China Sea and to the mouth of the Yangzi River, which the Huangpu flows into 29km (18 miles) north of downtown Shanghai. This place is called the Wusong Kou, where the water during high tide tus three distinct colors, marking the union of the Yangtze (yellow), the Huangpu (gray), and the South China Sea (green). The Huangpu River also divides Shanghai into Puxi (west of the river) and Pudong (East of the river).
The Huangpu's wharves are crucial to China's economy since its handles cargo from cities all along the Yangtze river from as west as Chongqing to Wuhan to Nanjing and finally to Shanghai, which produces many industrial and commercial products representing as much as a third of China's exports. Explore this important river by taking a cruise boarded from the Pudong side of the river: you will get to see not only this body of water but also the gorgeous views of Shanghai on both sides of the river.
Tickets for the Pudong cruise can be purchased at the Oriental Pearl TV Tower ticket booth or at a kiosk near the dock (Dongfang Mingzhu Youlan Matou; tel. 021/5879-1888) on Fenghe Lu. To reach the dock, walk along the northwest side of the TV Tower grounds on Fenghe Lu, past the Insect Museum and the twin-globed Convention Center, straight on to the right-hand side of the sail-shaped pavilion. Departures are at 10am, 11am, noon, 2pm, 3pm, and 4pm (more may be added during peak times); tickets are 50 to 70 ($6.25-$8.75). Night cruises depart at 7, 8, and 9pm from May to October.
