The 7 Best Luxury Cruises in China

1.Private Evening Tour: VIP Huangpu River Cruise and Shanghai Lights

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 150 reviews · from $128Our pick

Join a private evening tour with guides such as Tom, Mary, Autumn, Linda, or Roy for a focused look at Shanghai after dark. Walk through Yuyuan Old Street, cruise the Huangpu River from the VIP upper deck, visit Lujiazui, and finish in Xintiandi. Hotel pickup, private transport, bottled water, and return transfer are included, though you may also stay out afterward.

“This river cruise is a must-do for the best views of the Bund and the Shanghai city scape. Be sure to go after sunset to marvel at the beauty of the Bund and its dazzling lights. Alex, our guide was very nice, patient, and knowledgeable. After Read more”

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2.Private Night Tour-VIP River Cruise and Shanghai Tower Option

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 104 reviews · from $143

Enjoy a private evening outing with hotel pickup, an English-speaking guide, VIP seating on the Huangpu River cruise, and views of the Bund and Pudong skyline. Add the Shanghai Tower option for the 118th-floor observation deck, or include a local dinner. Guides such as Cassie, Lucy, Lea, Roy, and Shirley are praised for making the evening smooth and personal.

“The experience was excellent. Lucy was an excellent tour guide. The food was amazing. 100% recommended!”

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3.From Guilin: 4 Star Luxury Li River Cruise with Buffet Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 80 reviews · 4 hours · from $92

Leave your downtown Guilin hotel around 8:00 AM for Zhujiang Pier, then spend about four hours on a comfortable cruise to Yangshuo. You’ll see the Li River’s famous karst peaks, villages, fields, bamboo, and waterfalls, with Chinese or Western buffet lunch aboard. No guide joins the boat, but a QR code offers audio explanations in several languages.

“Loved it but would have preferred a Chinese/ English speaking guide to have information as we cruise. With the qr code it was a bit difficult to follow. Eventually is quite expensive for just a car ride to the pier and the cruise. With an English speaking crew that explain ms the scenery and the traditions of the areas we see it could have been more value for money.”

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4.Shanghai Night River Cruise VIP Seating with Private Transfer and Dinner Option

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 64 reviews · from $139

Ride from your downtown Shanghai hotel to the Huangpu River for a one-hour night cruise with VIP seating and a guide such as Michael, Cassie, Sunny, or Annie. See the Bund and Pudong skyline from the water, then add dinner at a classy local restaurant. Private return transport is included.

“We had a fabulous time! Our guide, Annie was excellent! She is friendly, professional, and knowledgeable! The owner, Sunny is great! She is super quick in responding to our needs/requests. Highly recommend! It’s a must do while in Shanghai.”

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5.Shanghai Night River Cruise VIP Seat with Authentic Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 55 reviews · 3 hours · from $168

Spend three hours seeing Shanghai by night with an English-speaking guide, private car, VIP cruise seating, and dinner at a local restaurant. You will pass the Bund, Shanghai Tower, Oriental Pearl TV Tower, and other landmarks on a 50-minute Huangpu River cruise. Guides such as Cassie, Michael, Lucy, and Sunny are praised for clear explanations and thoughtful food choices.

“Cassie was a wonderful guide and took us to a brilliant restaurant after the cruise. The Bund is an amazing neon light experience. Shanghai lit up the night. Thank you Cassie.”

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6.Din Tai Fung Dinner and VIP Class River Cruise Experience in Shanghai

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 31 reviews · from $173

Spend an evening with a private guide and driver, see Shanghai from VIP seats on a 60-minute Huangpu River cruise, then eat xiaolongbao and other dishes at Din Tai Fung. Guides such as Sunny and Mason have earned strong praise for friendly service and clear English. Central hotel pickup is included.

“Very overpriced. River cruise was nice but pretty generic. The Dim Sum place was a chain and we got there super late, so they were about to close. Minimal explanation from our tour guide about the history of the city.”

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7.Hangzhou:Luxury West Lake Cruise+Santan Yinyue Island Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 11 reviews · 1 day · from $19Best value

Take a short West Lake boat ride from one of five piers to Santan Yinyue Island, explore at your own pace, then return from a choice of lakeside stops. The ticket includes the cruise and island admission, but no named guide or English commentary is provided. Bring your passport and allow time for walking.

“I always like boats. The historic story and beauty are great”

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