Enjoy China

For any international visitor setting foot in Shanghai for the first time, The Bund is undoubtedly the city’s most dazzling calling card and a must-visit destination. It’s more than just a riverside promenade; it’s a living history book, a symphony frozen in time, narrating Shanghai’s century-long saga from the “Paris of the East” to today’s global metropolis. Strolling along the Bund, you’ll personally experience the unique charm of history’s weight perfectly blended with modern vibrancy.

The Charm of The Bund: A Century of Glamour and Huangpu River Beauty

The Bund stretches for approximately 1.5 kilometers along the Huangpu River. To its east lies the river, while its western side is lined with a majestic array of classical buildings, each distinct in style. Most of these structures were built between the late 19th and early 20th centuries, serving as foreign banks, trading houses, clubs, and newspaper offices. They are often hailed as a “World Architectural Exposition.” Each building holds a unique story, collectively forming the distinctive historical fabric of the Bund.

However, the charm of the Bund extends far beyond its architecture. It is also the best vantage point for admiring the modern cityscape of Pudong’s Lujiazui. Across the river, skyscrapers like the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Jin Mao Tower, Shanghai World Financial Center, and Shanghai Tower rise majestically, outlining Shanghai’s magnificent skyline as a global financial hub. Especially as night falls, with both banks ablaze with dazzling lights, the Bund’s night view is celebrated as the most brilliant chapter of the “city that never sleeps,” truly breathtaking to behold.

Strolling Along The Bund: Savoring Architectural Art and History

I recommend you take your time and slowly appreciate the unique charm of each building on the western side of the Bund. They encompass a variety of architectural styles, including Gothic, Baroque, Romanesque, Neoclassical, and Art Deco, resembling an open textbook of world architectural history.

Peace Hotel (formerly Cathay Hotel): One of the Bund’s iconic buildings, renowned for its green pinnacle and lavish Art Deco style. It was once the most luxurious hotel in the Far East, hosting countless celebrities and dignitaries. Today, it remains an excellent place to experience the old Shanghai ambiance.

HSBC Building (now Pudong Development Bank Building): This Neoclassical building was once described as “the most luxurious building from the Suez Canal to the Bering Strait.” Its magnificent dome and exquisite murals, especially the mosaic dome mural in the ground-floor lobby depicting HSBC branches worldwide at the time, hold immense artistic and historical value.

Shanghai Custom House: Another Neoclassical masterpiece, its clock tower houses the “First Bell of Asia,” chiming every 15 minutes, its sound reverberating along the Huangpu River, becoming a distinctive voice of the Bund.

Bank of China Building: This building, which blends traditional Chinese architectural elements with Western modern styles, was once one of the tallest buildings in China, symbolizing the rise of China’s financial industry.

The Bund No. 12 (formerly the Chartered Bank Building): Now the Shanghai Pudong Development Bank, this building boasts a grand and elegant architectural style with exquisite carved details.

The Bund No. 27 (formerly Jardine Matheson Building): Once the largest British-owned trading house in the Far East, its architectural style combines Renaissance and Baroque elements. Today, it houses the Roosevelt Mansion, a complex of restaurants and bars.

Beyond these major structures, you’ll discover a series of equally historically significant buildings, such as the former Sassoon House (now The Bund No. 20, South Building of Peace Hotel), the former Union Building (now The Bund No. 3), and the former British Consulate-General in Shanghai. Each building stands as a silent storyteller of history, waiting for you to uncover the tales behind them.

The Essence of The Bund: Experiences from Different Perspectives

Morning Stroll and Tai Chi: Many Shanghai locals come to the Bund in the early morning for exercise, including practicing Tai Chi, and group dances. At this time, the Bund is relatively peaceful, allowing you to experience the daily life of Shanghai residents up close and capture panoramic views of the buildings without crowds.

Daytime Sightseeing and Photography: The Bund during the day is a paradise for photographers. You can capture the bustling scene of ships on the Huangpu River and the modernity of Lujiazui’s skyscrapers. From various angles of the Bund, you can take stunning urban landscape photos.

Huangpu River Cruise: Taking a Huangpu River cruise is an excellent way to admire the night views of the Bund and Lujiazui. As the boat slowly glides on the river, the light show on both banks is dazzling, and iconic buildings like the Oriental Pearl TV Tower and Jin Mao Tower glow uniquely in the night, leaving a lasting impression.

Chen Yi Square and The Bund Viewing Platform: In the middle section of the Bund, Chen Yi Square commemorates Marshal Chen Yi, Shanghai’s first mayor, and is also a significant gathering point. The Bund Viewing Platform in front of the square offers an excellent vantage point to overlook the scenery on both sides of the Huangpu River, especially during holidays when it’s always bustling with people.

The Bund Origin: Extending north along the Bund, you’ll reach “The Bund Origin” area. This is the historical starting point of the Bund, boasting more well-preserved historical buildings, such as the former Rowing Club and Waibaidu Bridge. This area is more tranquil than the main Bund promenade, making it a great place to savor old Shanghai charm, enjoy coffee, and indulge in fine dining.

Waibaidu Bridge: This steel truss bridge is one of Shanghai’s iconic structures, witnessing a century of changes and challenges in Shanghai. It connects the Bund with Hongkou District and has appeared as a classic Shanghai backdrop in many films and TV series.

The Bund History Museum: Located near the Shanghai Custom House, it comprehensively introduces the Bund’s century-long history and architectural evolution through pictures, models, and texts, making it a great place to delve deeper into the Bund’s stories.

Dining and Shopping: Extending Your Bund Experience

The areas surrounding the Bund are home to numerous high-end restaurants and boutique shops, adding more options to your Bund journey.

High-End Dining: Many historical buildings along the Bund house top-tier restaurants and bars, offering a variety of choices, including Chinese and Western cuisine. Dining here not only allows you to savor delicious food but also to enjoy the Huangpu River night view in a historic ambiance. For example, The Bund No. 3 and The Bund No. 18 are famous culinary landmarks.

Bars and Nightlife: The rooftop bars on the Bund are excellent places to experience Shanghai’s nightlife. Enjoying a drink on a terrace, overlooking the neon lights of both sides of the Huangpu River, and feeling the pulse of Shanghai’s urban rhythm is an unforgettable experience.

Boutique Shopping: While the Bund itself isn’t a primary shopping district, the nearby Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street and The Bund Origin area feature some boutique shops and art galleries that can cater to your shopping and cultural needs.

Helpful Tips

• Best Time to Visit: Late afternoon is ideal, allowing you to see the buildings in daylight, enjoy the sunset over the Huangpu River, and then witness the dazzling night lights as they come alive.
• Comfortable Shoes: The Bund is quite long, requiring a fair amount of walking, so comfortable shoes are recommended.
• Plan Ahead: If you plan to take a cruise or dine at popular restaurants, it’s advisable to book in advance, especially during holidays.
• Watch Your Belongings: In crowded areas, always keep an eye on your personal belongings.
• Understand the Background: Learning some historical background about the Bund’s architecture before your visit will make your exploration more profound.

The Bund in Shanghai, like an open historical masterpiece, awaits every international visitor to turn its pages and experience its unique charm and legend. Here, you can see Shanghai’s past, feel its present, and glimpse its future.