Port of Shanghai

Port of Shanghai

Friday , December 23, 2022

Often dubbed the “Paris of the Orient”, Shanghai is where the west meets the east. While its roots go back to ancient China when it was a quaint, fishing village, the arrival of the British and the aftermath of the Opium Wars in the 19th century made it a hotspot for trade around the world. Its old cultural roots were fused with western influences, which turned it into the vibrant and charismatic city it is today.  

From strolling by the iconic skyline to exploring intricate Chinese temples, the sheer contrast of the city will blow you away. The cherry on top is that the city has the longest metro system in the world, covering 499 miles! This makes getting around to any location incredibly cheap, easy, and quick, meaning that you can make the most of your time while your ship is docked. The calm evenings spent at the Bund and visiting the Shanghai Tower are the quintessential modern experiences of this city and will leave you floored, while the traditional Shanghai Old Street and the Yuyuan temple will give you a stunning glimpse into Chinese culture.  

While the city and its atmosphere are incredible, the best part of visiting Shanghai is undoubtedly the food. Shanghainese cuisine is among the best in the world, with 34 Michelin star restaurants and street food in the city. The Chinese steamed buns, red braised pork belly, and Shanghai-style borscht are just a few of the meals that you need to have while you are visiting this city.  

Shanghai is a place that everyone should visit at least once in their lives, and cruisejoy knows exactly how to give you the perfect excursion to Shanghai in absolute safety and comfort.

Among the most popular Chinese cities, Shanghai is visited by approximately 6 million people every year. Do you know that some foreign visitors don’t need a VISA while visiting Shanghai? It is because they choose a cruise ride that goes through Shanghai. Shanghai has always offered a perfect blend of Western and Eastern cultures. From ever-expanding views to historic sites, Shanghai has a lot to offer for explorers. You can decide to start with Shanghai cruise excursions for an indelible experience. Read on to know more about the cruise port in Shanghai and the best place to visit.

Let’s start with a little history

The story of ports in Shanghai dates back to the 1800s. There’s an interesting story associated with Shanghai. The term ‘Shanghai’ meant getting poisoned/tricked into joining a ship/vessel. In the 1800s, many people were Shanghaied in the past, meaning they were forced to join the ship’s crew. People hijacked may know nothing about working on a ship/vessel. When the crew size was less, the captain ordered to track some people and add members. Whether people liked it or not, they had to work on ships. Often, the newcomers became seasick due to their new lifestyle.

In the ancient days, pirates in Shanghai practiced acupuncture. It was believed that acupressure points in the body held the keys to recovery from seasickness. Many such interesting stories are embedded in the history of Shanghai. Over the years, Shanghai has been an important place for trade and shipping. Currently, the container terminal at the Port of Shanghai is among the busiest ones in the world. However, cruise services were not always present in Shanghai.

In 2007, Shanghai became the first Chinese city to launch a separate port for cruise operations. In the 2010s, the cruise industry in Shanghai skyrocketed. More and more people came from all over the world to enjoy the expansive city views of Shanghai. Many shipping companies in Shanghai invested in cruise operations to boost their revenue. As of now, the cruise industry in Shanghai is profitable and invites visitors from all parts of the world.

Cultural significance of Shanghai Cruise Port

The port of Shanghai has been around since 1842 and is an economic center. Since the mid-20th century, Shanghai has been one of the most popular Chinese cities. In the 20th century, the Port of Shanghai was a cultural center. However, the Shanghai Cruise Port emerged as another cultural center in China.

Travel information at Shanghai Cruise Port

Shanghai Cruise Port is an expansive space with as many as three international terminals. Cruise services are easily accessible from all the terminals at the Shanghai Cruise Port. The first is the Shanghai Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal in Paotaiwan Bay. From this terminal in Shanghai, one can enjoy panoramic views of the Yangtze River and the Huangpu River. It can accommodate three mega cruises at once with an area of 160 hectares. Located 25 Km from the city center, you will have a book a cab/taxi to reach Shanghai Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal.

Near the downtown area of the city, Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal is the largest one in Shanghai for cruise operations. Every year, approximately 1 million cruise passengers arrive at the Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal. Apart from the 880-meter waterfront, this terminal offers scenic views of the Huangpu River.

Located 30 km from downtown, Shanghai Waigaoqiao Port Cruise Terminal is another hotspot for excursions. It can house three mega cruises at the same time. Someone passing through Shanghai in 6 days or less does not require a VISA. However, without VISA, one cannot visit any other location in Shanghai. This rule helps passengers from nearby countries to enjoy cruise excursions in Shanghai. All the terminals have necessary public amenities for cruise passengers.

Cruise excursions at the Shanghai Cruise Port

As a tourist, one may have to choose one of the cruise terminals in Shanghai for an excursion. It is better to choose an excursion plan and leave the rest to the cruise provider. Excursion plans in Shanghai include sightseeing, dining, and many other curated activities. Cruise Joy can offer curated excursion plans with a personalized experience.

Places to visit in Shanghai after a cruise excursion

A cruise excursion in Shanghai will offer scenic views of the city and water bodies. One can also choose to visit specific tourist attractions in Shanghai for an indelible experience. Some must-visit places in Shanghai are:

The Bund

The Bund is a unique place for architecture buffs. One can find buildings in Gothic, Baroque, and other styles of architecture. Historic walking areas at The Bund will offer you a memorable experience.

Zhujiajiao Ancient Town

Zhujaijiao Ancient Town is a preserved waterside town that has been around for 1,700 years. One can still see architectural structures from the Ming and Qing dynasties. The area is open at all hours of the day, and visitors can enjoy boat rides in the water town.

Shanghai Museum

Besides being one of the largest museums in China, Shanghai Museum is also a cultural center. One can see artifacts, relics, wares, calligraphy works, and more at the Shanghai Museum. The museum is open for visitors on all days except for national holidays and Mondays.

Jade Buddha Temple

Many places in China are centers of the religion of Buddhism. In a modern city like Shanghai, you can find peace at the Jade Buddha Temple. The Jade Buddha Temple offers Tiber-type vibes to visitors.

Best time to plan a trip to Shanghai Cruise Port

Summers and winters can be challenging in Shanghai for tourists. The best time to plan a trip to Shanghai Cruise Port is during the springs. During the spring season, the weather remains pleasant in Shanghai. One can also plan a trip to Shanghai during a festive season for a better experience. Gregorian New Year’s Eve, Chinese New Year, Peach Blossom Festival, Shanghai International Film Festival, and Longhua Temple Fair.

Book a cruise excursion with Cruise Joy to travel in small groups and make your Shanghai trip memorable. Plan your cruise excursion in Shanghai now!