According to the latest report from Xinhua News Agency: May 19, 2020, marked the 19th China Tourism Day. As one of the key measures to revitalize the "Five Hearts" cultural and tourism market, the Qinhuangdao Road Cruise Terminal Cultural and Tourism Public Service Center -- a significant waterfront complex linking the 45-kilometer public space along both banks of the Huangpu River, known as the "Huangpu River Living Room" -- was officially opened. A sightseeing bus route connecting the cruise terminal and the Yangpu Riverside also began trial operations, allowing citizens and tourists to seamelssly "cruise the Huangpu River by boat and explore the Riverside on foot." On the same day, the launch ceremoney for the "5.19 China Tourism Day -- Discover More, Experience More" cultural and tourism themed event, part of the "Five Five Shopping Festival" series organized by the Shanghai Municipal Culture and Tourism Bureau, was held at the cruise terminal. Shanghai Vice Mayor Zong Ming unveiled the event and visited the "Setting Sail with Original Aspirations" exhibition hall at the Huangpu River Living Room.

Located at No. 32 Qinhuangdao Road in Yangpu District, the Qinhuangdao Road Cruise Terminal is the site of the former Huangpu Wharf. Between December 9, 1919, and December 15, 1920, six groups of Chinese students, totaling 656 individuals--including Zhou Enlai and Deng Xiaoping, boarded ships from Huangpu Dock to go to France. In 2010, the Expo Water Gate was established here. On May 1, 2018, the upgraded Qinhuangdao Road ferry terminal was officially opened, receiving about 1 million visitors annually. On November 2nd, 2019, General Secretary Xi Jinping visited the first stop in Shanghai at the Yangpu Riverside, stating that this area has transformed from an 'industrial rust belt' to a 'living showcase belt', and left behind the heartfelt instruction: 'A city built by the people, for the people'.

Design Concept

UrbanDATA began participating in the overall design and implementation of the Qinhuangdao sightseeing pier area in 2018. This project is located in the area of No. 32 Qinhuangdao Road, adjacent to the already connected Yangpu Riverside South Bank. The entire design includes the renovation of the Pujijang sightseeing waiting hall, the renovation of the pier area and landscape, as well as a sky bridge crossing the riverside.

The design extracts the elements of the pitched roof structure and applies them in the space as a whole; the transformed space focuses on the entire experience from waiting for the boat to boarding; it opens up a warm and comfortable journey for people.

  1. In a limited space, achieve a smooth streamlined layout; use a clear and concise layout and guidance to direct visitors into the waiting lounge and boarding area, fully reflecting the accessibility and connectivity of transportation
  2. Create a warm, pleasant, simple, and generous waiting lounge environment. The texture, quality, and colors of the materials all emphasize the above characteristics, and the bright and suitable lighting in the hall is another key point of the design.
  3. To avoid crossing with the continuous riverside road, the design adopts a boarding method from the second floor, with a comfortable-sized pedestrian bridge supported by simple V-shaped pillars, organically connecting the waiting lounge and the dock area. The indoor staircase is designed to avoid pedestrian crossflow while harmonizing and integrating with the hall.
  4. Considering the interaction between indoors and outdoors, the dock landscape features flower ports on tall stilts, handrails, and wooden flooring updates, all coordinating with the building and environment, enhancing the recognition of this station.


Nowadays, the Qinhuangdao Road cruise terminal is an important water gateway for sightseeing on the Huangpu River and the largest cultural tourism public service center along the Yangpu riverside. It has been developed and constructed according to the requirements of a 'World Reception Hall' and integrates both riverside sightseeing and riverside activities into a waterfront-linked complex. It serves as an important vehicle for the concepts of 'returning the river to the people', 'returning the shore to the people', and 'returning the terminal to the people'. Taking a cruise, visitors can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Pujiang River, and the Qinhuangdao Road cruise terminal will provide a new experience of expression along both banks of the Huangpu River.