Visitors wanting to take a one-hour tour of the Huangpu River on cruise can now book tickets on smartphones and use QR codes for admission.

It takes less than five minutes to scan the code, check luggage and get onboard the cruise ships for the tour, which makes it convenient for visitors.

Generally visitors have to buy tickets at the ticket office of the East Jinling Road Harbor terminal, or book tickets online and get the paper tickets at the window of the office. During holidays or weekends it takes long time to queue for the tickets at the window.

With an admission of 60 yuan (US$9.23), the one-hour tour of the Huangpu River starts from the East Jinling Road Harbor, through Shiliupu Harbor, Old Harbor and Dongchang Road Harbor, then returns to the East Jinling Road Harbor.

The whole trip covers several landmarks on both banks of the Huangpu River, including the Bund, Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Shanghai Tower and Old Harbor commercial center.

The iconic Huangpu River cruise tours will get more diversified this year to create a popular moving tourist destination and make cruises on the landmark river a world-class attraction.

Several new itineraries have been planned this year. On May 21, a cruise route serving the 10th China Flower Expo on Chongming Island will kick into gear. Ships will depart from the Shiliupu Dock in Huangpu District for the one-day tour, ferrying passengers along the river during the day and at night, with Shanghai delicacies and beautiful landscapes of blossoming flowers.

The tour will combine both water and land tours with riverbank sightseeing and flower appreciation. The flower expo will take place in Chongming from May 21 to July 2, and is the first to take place on an island.

Three water routes taking passengers on a journey to learn about the city's revolutionary past will soon be launched to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, featuring a number of "red" culture venues along the river.

The tours will also include a visit to the National Anthem Museum in Yangpu District and a walking tour along the riverfront. People will see the industrial relics of Hongkou and Yangpu districts during the trip. Onboard, they will learn about the history of the Communist Party of China.

Tailored cruises for wedding ceremonies and conferences will also be launched soon.