Pearl River, Guangzhou

Pearl River night cruise tickets and prices

An adult ticket for an evening boat costs roughly ¥90–220, set by the pier, the boat and your seat. The enclosed lower hall is cheapest, the open top deck costs more, and buffet-dinner sailings run about ¥170–210. We couldn't find the operator's own price list and guides disagree, so treat every figure as unofficial.

At Tianzi Wharf, one ticket agency lists about ¥108 for the lower hall, ¥138 for a window booth and ¥158–188 for the open deck. Children under 6 usually ride free without a seat, and 6–14-year-olds pay a child fare from about ¥54 — but rules vary by boat, so check when you book.

You can buy at the pier, on Trip.com or Klook, or through WeChat mini programs. Avoid street touts and unknown WeChat sellers. Online vouchers are usually swapped for a boarding ticket at the pier counter against your passport, which takes 15–30 minutes.

Paying as a foreigner: booking online on Trip.com or Klook with a Visa or Mastercard is the easiest route. At the pier, expect Alipay or WeChat Pay (both take linked foreign cards) or cash yuan — unofficial; don't count on a foreign card at the counter.

Is the Pearl River cruise worth it?

Yes, on a first trip to Guangzhou. In about an hour you see both cities — the old north bank by Beijing Road and the glass towers of Zhujiang New Town — with Canton Tower lit up in the middle, all without walking. It's the simplest way to take in the skyline at night.

It's less worth it on a tight budget: walk across the Haixin Bridge to Canton Tower or stroll Haixinsha Island and you get the same lights for free, just from the bank. In a thunderstorm, sailings can be delayed or cancelled — light rain usually isn't a problem.

Which pier is best: Tianzi, Dashatou or Canton Tower?

For a first trip, Tianzi Wharf (天字码头): it's at the river end of Beijing Road, close to the metro, and its route covers both the old waterfront and Canton Tower. Dashatou (大沙头码头) is the biggest pier with the widest choice of boats. The Fortune pier at Canton Tower suits a short cruise straight after the tower, but costs more. Xidi (西堤码头) is by Shamian Island.

Tianzi is the oldest wharf on the river — Qing-dynasty officials were received here. Xidi's route in the west is the longest but takes longer to reach the skyscrapers. Haixinsha pier sits in the new centre, opposite the tower. Pick the pier nearest to where you'll spend the day: boats return to where they started.

Pearl River piers compared

Prices and durations are unofficial figures from eastchinatrip.com; other guides differ and timetables change with the season. Check your own ticket.

What time do the night cruises run?

Evening boats run roughly 18:30–22:00, each pier on its own timetable: Tianzi from about 18:40, Fortune from about 18:30, Xidi from about 19:00. Go after full dark, around 19:30–21:00 — Canton Tower's lights come on at about 19:00.

Sunset in Guangzhou ranges from about 17:40 in midwinter to 19:15 in midsummer, so in summer the first boats still leave in twilight, while in winter even an 18:40 sailing is in the dark. For the sunset itself, stay ashore on Shamian's riverside or the Haixin Bridge and board once the lights are on.

What you see from the boat

• The old north bank — Yanjiang Road and Tianzi Wharf at the foot of Beijing Road.
• Haizhu and Haiyin bridges — the first bridges east of Tianzi, lit up at night.
• Ersha Island — a quiet green island with the Xinghai Concert Hall.
• Haixin Bridge — the curving pedestrian bridge from Ersha to Canton Tower.
• Canton Tower — the 600 m tower and the main shot of the trip; see Canton Tower.
• Haixinsha and Zhujiang New Town — the new centre's skyscrapers and the Guangzhou Opera House on the north bank.
• Liede Bridge — where most boats turn back.
• Baietan by Shamian Island — the western reach covered by longer routes from Tianzi.

Free riverside walks

You can see the river for free from three places: the Yanjiang Road promenade on the north bank, the Haixin pedestrian bridge, and Haixinsha Island opposite Canton Tower. All are open around the clock and lit at night, and the cruise boats glide past — nearly the same view, minus the deck.

Yanjiang Road follows the north bank past the Xidi, Tianzi and Dashatou piers. Start at Shamian for sunset and walk east towards Beijing Road. Ersha Island is quiet and leafy, with the Xinghai Concert Hall.

The Haixin Bridge is a 488 m pedestrian bridge, opened in 2021, from the eastern tip of Ersha to the south bank by Canton Tower. Haixinsha hosted the 2010 Asian Games ceremonies and is now a free park facing the tower, on the APM line at Haixinsha station.

Guangzhou after dark, compared

Guangzhou's best evening places rated by YesGo. Tap a column heading to sort.

Nearby and on your route

45

Dafo Temple

Guangzhou, China

30 min · Free · 16 min walk

Yes — add to my route: Dafo Temple

44

Beijing Road

Guangzhou, China

1 h · Free · 16 min walk

Yes — add to my route: Beijing Road

38

Temple of the Six Banyan Trees

Guangzhou, China

30 min · Free · 33 min walk

Yes — add to my route: Temple of the Six Banyan Trees

How to do it right

• Boats from Tianzi usually head east to Canton Tower — sit on the right, then swap sides for the way back.
• The open deck costs more, but the enclosed hall's windows reflect the cabin lights — for photos, it's worth it.
• Go up Canton Tower before sunset, then walk down to the Fortune pier — a whole evening with no transfers.
• Skipping the boat? Walk the Haixin Bridge from Ersha Island to Canton Tower — the lights from mid-river are the same.
• If you book online, use a non-Gmail email address — Gmail is blocked in China and you may miss the voucher.
• The metro runs until about 23:00 — after the last boat, a taxi or DiDi is easier.

Questions