To celebrate the 2026 Shanghai Tourism Festival, a themed double-decker sightseeing bus service connecting Hongkou and Qingpu districts was launched on Sept 7 at the Hoshu Superyacht on the North Bund.

Hongkou is the first stop for inbound cruise tourism, home to the North Bund waterfront skyline, Waibaidu Bridge, and the Duolun Road cultural zone, where century-old architecture meets Shanghai culture. Qingpu is the first stop for inbound travelers visiting Shanghai's ancient towns and is home to the thousand-year-old Zhujiajiao Ancient Town, the lakeside scenery of Dianshan Lake, and expansive rural wetlands.

This approximately 60-minute one-way journey offers a seamless transition from the bustling heart of Shanghai to the serene charm of a traditional Jiangnan water town, providing visitors with a unique opportunity to experience two distinct facets of the city in a single trip.

Ten bus route packages are available to cater to diverse visitor preferences, ranging from comfortable family-friendly tours to themed routes offering traditional Chinese medicine experiences and immersive intangible cultural heritage workshops.

The packages come with a set of 10 discount benefits. Hongkou and Qingpu each offer five perks covering dining and accommodation, including discounted room rates at Swan Hotel Shanghai and 15-percent-off coffee at Hoshu Superyacht Dayin Bookstore.

Adding to the experience, the upper deck of the bus hosts live entertainment. The program is kept under wraps until departure, and may include a music performance, stand-up comedy, or interactive games.

Ticketing

Package prices: 9 yuan ($1.34) to 199 yuan

Where to buy: Available through the "蜻蜓都市观光双层巴士 (City Sightseeing)" WeChat mini program.

Sources: Qingpu district administration of culture and tourism, Hongkou district government