The cableway links Xinhua Road in Yuzhong with Shangxinjie in Nan'an, a crossing of about 1,166 metres taking four to five minutes. It has a public-transport history as well as a visitor viewpoint, but the ride itself is brief.
Stations, hours and tickets
- North station · Yuzhong
- 151 Xinhua Road, near Jiefangbei, Baixiangju and Hongyadong. Use Xiaoshizi on Lines 1 or 6; we recommend Exit 5B or 5. Its central location can mean longer holiday queues.
- South station · Nan'an
- 4 Shangxinjie, near Longmenhao, Xiahaoli and Nanbin Road. Walk from Shangxinjie metro station. This side may be quieter, with views towards the Yuzhong peninsula.
- Hours and fare
- For reference, typical hours of 08:00–22:00, possibly 07:30–22:30 in summer or holidays, with CNY 30 single and CNY 50 return fares. Use the official day's notice and ticket page.
- Reserve before queueing
- We recommend real-name booking in the official WeChat account, with sales from 07:45 on ordinary days and 07:15 on holidays, up to two days ahead. A queue number is assigned after purchase, so visitors can go to the station when their turn approaches rather than waiting there for hours. Release rules can change; do not rely on touts or supposed internal tickets.
Making the most of one crossing
- Single rather than return
- A return costs only CNY 20 more but requires getting off, queueing again and passing security a second time for largely the same view, making it poor value. A single trip saves time. From the south station, walk to Xiahaoli or Longmenhao for food and old lanes; from the north, photograph the cableway at Baixiangju or walk to Jiefangbei and Hongyadong.
- Morning or evening
- Try the first 08:00 crossing or 17:30–19:00 for a possible sunset-to-lights transition, avoiding busy holiday afternoons. Visibility remains weather-dependent.
- Window direction
- We recommend the left side north-to-south for Raffles City, Dongshuimen Bridge and Huguang Guild Hall, and the right side south-to-north for Yuzhong and Baixiangju. Hold the phone lens close to the glass and wipe away reflections for a cleaner image, without obstructing other passengers.
Weather, comfort and alternatives
- No unofficial fast ticket
- There is no official fast lane or internal ticket. Use official sales channels and the day's reservation rules.
- Heat and motion
- The carriage has no air-conditioning and can be hot in summer, with slight movement during the ride. Consider your comfort with heights and motion before boarding.
- Have a plan B
- Fog, heavy rain or high winds may stop service or leave nothing but a whiteout outside the cabin. Check the forecast and official suspension notice before travelling. If the wait exceeds an hour, consider the better-value ferry or watch the cableway move across the river from Baixiangju or Dongshuimen Bridge instead of continuing to wait.