# Pearl River, Guangzhou > The Pearl River (珠江) splits Guangzhou in two, and the classic way to see it is an evening boat: 50–90 minutes from Tianzi Wharf, by Beijing Road, past a lit-up Canton Tower. Tickets run roughly ¥90–220 depending on pier and deck; boats sail daily around 18:30–22:00 (unofficial). The riverside walks are free. Web page: https://yesgo.io/china/guangzhou/pearl-river - City: [Guangzhou](https://yesgo.io/china/guangzhou), China - YesGo score: 43/100 (Yes, if nearby) - Time on site: 1 h 30 min - Entry: ≈ ¥90–220 boat; riverside free - Opening hours: Daily: evening sailings ≈ 18:30–22:00, each pier has its own timetable (unofficial); riverside promenades open 24 hours - With kids: Fine with kids - Night cruise, adult: ≈ ¥90–220 depending on pier, boat and deck - Tianzi Wharf: ≈ ¥108–188: lower hall cheapest, open deck dearest; first sailing ≈ 18:40 - Buffet dinner cruise: ≈ ¥170–210 - Children: Under 6 free without a seat; 6–14 child fare from ≈ ¥54 - Time on the water: ≈ 50–90 minutes, depending on the pier - ID: Original passport to collect your boarding ticket - Riverside walks, Haixinsha Island: Free, open 24 hours - Haixin pedestrian bridge: Free, no booking needed - Time needed: ≈ 1.5 hours including boarding - Coordinates: 23.11743, 113.26590 - Facts checked: 04.11.2026 ## Key facts - **≈ 50–90 min** — an evening sightseeing cruise, depending on the pier (source: eastchinatrip.com; chinaxiantour.com; Wanderin China) - **5 piers** — the main ones: Tianzi, Dashatou, Xidi, Canton Tower (Fortune) and Haixinsha (source: Wanderin China; eastchinatrip.com; Travel China Guide) - **≈ ¥90–220** — an adult night-cruise ticket, by pier and deck (source: eastchinatrip.com; dahepiao.com) - **珠江** — Zhujiang, the river's Chinese name — literally "pearl river" (source: English and Russian Wikipedia) - **≈ 19:00** — when Canton Tower's lights come on (source: chinatravel.com; chinafortravelers.com) - **17:40–19:15** — sunset in Guangzhou, from midwinter to midsummer (source: YesGo calculation for Tianzi Wharf's coordinates) - **488 m** — length of the Haixin pedestrian bridge across the river, opened 2021 (source: China Daily; English and Chinese Wikipedia) - **2010** — Haixinsha Island hosted the Asian Games opening and closing ceremonies (source: English Wikipedia; intotravelchina.com) - **Tianzi** — the oldest wharf on the river, where Qing officials were received (source: English Wikipedia; Travel China Guide) ## 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. > **Get the pier and the timing right** Your ticket is tied to one pier — Tianzi, Dashatou, Xidi and the Canton Tower (Fortune) pier are kilometres apart, and late arrivals generally get no refund. Be there 30 minutes early with your **original passport**. The best sailings leave after full dark, roughly 19:30–21:00, when Canton Tower is already lit. ## 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](https://yesgo.io/china/guangzhou/beijing-road) and the glass towers of Zhujiang New Town — with [Canton Tower](https://yesgo.io/china/guangzhou/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 | | Tianzi | Dashatou | Xidi | Fortune (Canton Tower) | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Metro | Haizhu Square, Lines 2 and 6 | Donghu, Line 6 | Cultural Park, Line 6 | Canton Tower, Line 3 and APM | | Adult ticket | ≈ ¥108–168 | ≈ ¥88–178 | ≈ ¥108–148 | ≈ ¥138–218 | | Time on the water | ≈ 70–80 min | ≈ 60 min | ≈ 80–90 min | ≈ 50 min | | Nearby | Beijing Road, Dafo Temple | Yanjiang Road promenade | Shamian Island | Canton Tower, Haixin Bridge | 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](https://yesgo.io/china/guangzhou/guangzhou-opera-house) on the north bank. - **Liede Bridge** — where most boats turn back. - **Baietan** by [Shamian Island](https://yesgo.io/china/guangzhou/shamian-island) — the western reach covered by longer routes from Tianzi. ## How to get to Tianzi Wharf 1. From Beijing Road, walk south to the river — the street runs straight down to Tianzi Wharf, about 10–15 minutes from the central section (our estimate). 2. By metro: Line 6 from **Beijing Lu** one stop to **Haizhu Square**, or Line 2 to the same station; take **Exit A**, then 5–10 minutes on foot to the river. 3. **Xidi** pier: Line 6 to **Cultural Park**, then about 5 minutes south-east to Yanjiang West Road. 4. **Dashatou** pier: Line 6 to **Donghu**, then about 10 minutes south to 466 Yanjiang East Road. 5. **Fortune** pier: **Canton Tower** station (Line 3 and APM), pier to the north-east of the tower; Haixinsha pier: APM **Haixinsha** station. 6. By taxi or DiDi, show 天字码头 (Tianzi), 大沙头码头 (Dashatou) or 西堤码头 (Xidi). ## 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. ## Before you go: checklist - [ ] Original passport - [ ] Ticket for the right pier — Tianzi, Dashatou, Xidi or Fortune - [ ] A sailing after dark, from about 19:30 - [ ] Alipay / WeChat Pay or cash if buying at the pier - [ ] At the pier 30 minutes before departure - [ ] A light jacket — it's windy on the open deck ## Guangzhou after dark, compared Guangzhou's best evening places rated by YesGo. - [Canton Tower](https://yesgo.io/china/guangzhou/canton-tower) — YesGo score 45/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · From ¥150, under 1.2 m free - [Dafo Temple](https://yesgo.io/china/guangzhou/guangzhou-dafo-temple) — YesGo score 45/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 30 min · Free - [Beijing Road](https://yesgo.io/china/guangzhou/beijing-road) — YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Free - [Pearl River](https://yesgo.io/china/guangzhou/pearl-river) — YesGo score 43/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · ≈ ¥90–220 boat; riverside free - [Guangzhou Opera House](https://yesgo.io/china/guangzhou/guangzhou-opera-house) — YesGo score 43/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · Tour ¥15; outside free ## An evening by the river Shamian at sunset, Dafo Temple and dinner on Beijing Road, then a boat from Tianzi Wharf. Add them to your route — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers. 1. [Shamian Island](https://yesgo.io/china/guangzhou/shamian-island) — YesGo score 43/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · Free, open 24 hours 2. [Dafo Temple](https://yesgo.io/china/guangzhou/guangzhou-dafo-temple) — YesGo score 45/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 30 min · Free 3. [Beijing Road](https://yesgo.io/china/guangzhou/beijing-road) — YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Free 4. [Pearl River](https://yesgo.io/china/guangzhou/pearl-river) — YesGo score 43/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · ≈ ¥90–220 boat; riverside free ## Don't mix them up The Pearl River cruise is on the river itself. Pearl River Tower is a skyscraper in Zhujiang New Town, Pearl River is also a beer and a piano brand, and the Oriental Pearl Tower is in Shanghai. The Pearl River Delta is the whole estuary region, including Shenzhen, Hong Kong and Macau. ## Tips - 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 ### How much is the Pearl River night cruise? Roughly ¥90–220 for an adult depending on pier and deck, and about ¥170–210 with a buffet dinner. These are unofficial prices. ### How long is the Pearl River cruise? About 50–90 minutes: shortest from the Fortune pier at Canton Tower, longest from Tianzi and Xidi. Add 30 minutes for boarding. ### What time does the Pearl River cruise start? Evening sailings run roughly 18:30–22:00, each pier on its own timetable. The best views are 19:30–21:00. ### Which pier is best for the Pearl River cruise? Tianzi Wharf for a first trip — by Beijing Road and the metro. Dashatou has the most boats, Fortune is best combined with Canton Tower. ### Is the Pearl River cruise worth it? Yes on a first visit — the old bank, the skyline and Canton Tower in an hour. On a budget, the Haixin Bridge and Haixinsha give similar views for free. ### How do I get to Tianzi Wharf? Metro Line 2 or 6 to Haizhu Square, Exit A, then 5–10 minutes on foot; or walk south down Beijing Road to the river. ### Do I need my passport? Yes, the original — it's used to swap an online voucher for a boarding ticket. Bring it even if you buy at the pier. ### Is there a dinner cruise? Yes, some boats from Tianzi and Dashatou serve a buffet, for about ¥170–210 per adult (unofficial). The food is secondary to the view. ### Is it good for kids? Yes. Under-6s usually ride free without a seat and 6–14s pay a child fare; with toddlers, pick an early sailing and the enclosed hall. ## How we checked The English core comes from search results and related searches. We couldn't find the cruise operator's own site, so every boat price and time is marked checking. Sources disagree: eastchinatrip.com lists ¥88–218 by pier, dahepiao.com (2025) ¥98–188 by deck, chinaxiantour.com from ¥20–38 (group deals), marketplaces about US$6–28; the lead gives the middle of these. Durations are 50–90 minutes (Travel China Guide once said about 2 hours — not used). Child rules: "under 6 free" is from dahepiao.com, while one reseller gives half price for 1.2–1.5 m; rules depend on the boat. Haixin Bridge length and year agree in China Daily and Wikipedia; the end of advance booking is from Wikipedia only. Sunset times are our calculation and walking times our estimate. ## Sources - eastchinatrip.com, Pearl River night cruise guide, 29.10.2026 — prices, hours and durations by pier, metro to Tianzi - Wanderin China, Pearl River Night Cruise, 30.08.2026 — piers, durations, best time, refunds and weather - chinaxiantour.com, Pearl River, 28.01.2026 — piers, metro, sights along the route - Travel China Guide, Pearl River, updated 23.07.2026 — pier addresses and metro stations - dahepiao.com, 09.04.2025, 08.07.2025, 13.10.2025 — deck prices at Tianzi and Dashatou, child fares, route - China Daily, 05.07.2021 — Haixin Bridge length and opening - English Wikipedia: Pearl River, Tianzi Wharf, Haixin Bridge, Haixinsha Island (Tianhe District); Russian Wikipedia: Чжуцзян; Chinese Wikipedia: 海心桥; Wikidata Q201463 - chinatravel.com, chinafortravelers.com — Canton Tower lighting time --- This is the Markdown version of a YesGo page for AI assistants. Quote the web page link above, not this file.