Information
Landmark: The BundCity: Shanghai
Country: China
Continent: Asia
The Bund, Shanghai, China, Asia
Overview
The Bund (外滩, Wàitān) stands as one of Shanghai’s most famous landmarks, where historic stone buildings face the glittering sweep of the Huangpu River.This waterfront stretches along the Huangpu River, famous for its rich history, striking mix of architecture, and views that catch the light like gold at sunset.The Bund draws crowds from around the world, standing as a vivid symbol of Shanghai’s rise from a quiet fishing village to a glittering global city.The Bund runs about 1.5 kilometers-just under a mile-along the western bank of the Huangpu River, right in the heart of Shanghai, where the water catches the morning light.It stretches from the Waibaidu Bridge up north to East Nanjing Road down south, where the air hums with the scent of roast chestnuts.The Bund sits close to some of Shanghai’s key spots, like the bustling People’s Square, the neon-lit Nanjing Road, and Pudong’s Lujiazui district, where glass-and-steel skyscrapers gleam in the sun.History: The Bund’s story begins in the mid-1800s, when Shanghai, fresh from the Opium Wars, opened its riverfront to foreign concessions.In 1843, Britain claimed the area as a settlement, and before long the Bund buzzed with foreign banks, busy consulates, and sleek trading houses with brass nameplates catching the afternoon sun.Buildings from this era show the city’s global influences, with touches of British elegance, French charm, American boldness, and Russian grandeur etched into their facades.In the early 1900s, the Bund grew into Shanghai’s bustling commercial heart, with stately stone banks and ornate offices rising along the waterfront.The district stood as a proud reminder of Shanghai’s glory-its “Paris of the East” elegance and its role as East Asia’s bustling economic heart, where shop windows once glittered with imported silk.After the 1949 Chinese Revolution, the Bund’s old foreign-owned buildings found new uses, yet the stretch of stone along the river still stood as a proud marker of China’s push toward modern life.Today, the Bund draws crowds of visitors and stands as a striking symbol of Shanghai’s cultural blend, where sleek glass towers rise behind old stone facades.One of the Bund’s standout features is its striking row of colonial-era buildings, each showcasing a different architectural style, from ornate baroque facades to clean-lined neoclassical stonework.They range from the solid stone curves of Romanesque to the soaring lines of Gothic, the ornate swirls of Baroque, the balanced grace of Renaissance, the crisp order of Neoclassical, and the sleek geometry of Art Deco.International architects designed the buildings along the Bund, which once housed the city’s foreign banks, busy trading firms, and other powerful institutions, their stone facades catching the morning light off the river.Some of the standout landmarks include the stately Customs House, the grand Shanghai Pudong Development Bank Building, the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank Building, and the towering Bank of China Building.The Waitan Historic Area has been lovingly preserved, and today its grand old buildings house museums, busy offices, elegant hotels, and quiet galleries that smell faintly of polished wood.From the Bund, you can watch the Huangpu River drift by and see Pudong’s skyline rise across the water, its glass towers catching the afternoon light.The river cuts through Shanghai like a wide, silver ribbon, and from the Bund you can watch its historic stone façades face off against Pudong’s towering glass and steel-skyscrapers like the Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai Tower, and Jin Mao Tower gleaming in the sun.Key Attractions Along the Bund: The Bund Promenade - a broad walkway stretching beside the river, where you can hear the water lapping against the stone edge.Tourists and locals flock here to wander at an easy pace, breathe in the fresh air, and snap a few photos of the glittering water.At night, the Bund glows under soft golden lights, inviting you to stroll along the river and take in the city’s shimmering skyline.The Bund is dotted with important statues and monuments, from a bronze hero gazing over the river to stone figures weathered by a century of wind.Near the Bund’s southern tip stands the Monument to the People’s Heroes, a stark gray tower honoring Chinese revolutionaries and their triumph over foreign invaders.Several statues line the promenade, from bronzed figures honoring Shanghai’s past to tributes for the people who built the city’s future.The Former British Consulate, built in the 19th century, stands on the Bund as a striking example of colonial architecture, its tall arched windows catching the late afternoon light.The building’s been brought back to life and now bustles with shops, cozy cafés, and small museums filled with polished glass display cases.The Bund Sightseeing Tunnel runs beneath the river, linking the Bund to Pudong with a quick, glowing ride from one bank to the other.Colorful lights flash and music hums through the tunnel, creating a sleek, futuristic vibe against the Bund’s old stone facades.The Bund turns dazzling after dark, when the skyline glows and each grand facade is lit in gold against the river’s black shimmer.Across the river in Pudong, lights race and swirl over glass towers, shaping a skyline that’s never the same twice, a vivid counterpoint to the Bund’s stately, timeworn facades.In the evening, crowds gather to watch the lights shimmer, then settle in for dinner at a nearby restaurant where the river glints beneath the city skyline.Nanjing Road buzzes with life, running from the Bund all the way to People’s Square, its sidewalks lined with glowing shop windows and the scent of fresh street snacks.Bustling with life, it’s one of Shanghai’s busiest shopping streets, where bright shop windows, towering department stores, and steaming bowls of noodles draw crowds day and night.The Shanghai Museum sits in People’s Square, just a short walk from the Bund, and showcases an extraordinary collection of Chinese art and history, from jade carvings to ancient calligraphy.You’ll find remarkable collections of ancient Chinese treasures here-delicate jade pieces, centuries-old ceramics with hairline cracks, vivid paintings, and more.People’s Square, just a short walk from the Bund, is a sprawling open space with shady parks, lively cultural spots, and the striking glass-and-steel Shanghai Grand Theatre.It’s a lively spot where you can catch a play one night and sip coffee by the fountain the next.Rising above Pudong’s skyline, the Shanghai Tower stands as China’s tallest building and the world’s second highest, its glass twisting like a ribbon in the clouds.From the observation deck, you can take in sweeping views of the Bund and the city, with the river glinting far below.Today, the Bund stands as a striking symbol of Shanghai’s swift rise, its gleaming skyline framed by stately old buildings that still whisper the city’s history.It’s a place where Shanghai’s past meets its future, with quiet stone lanes opening onto glittering glass towers and the hum of a global financial hub.Tourism and Economy: Today, the Bund draws millions of visitors to Shanghai each year, their cameras snapping up views of its grand riverside skyline.It draws visitors from around the world and stands as a clear symbol of Shanghai’s stature as one of Asia’s leading hubs for finance, culture, and commerce.The Bund is woven into Shanghai’s identity, blending its storied past, mix of cultures, and soaring modern skyline.Whether you’re drawn to grand architecture, rich history, or the sparkle of the river at sunset, the Bund delivers a one‑of‑a‑kind mix of old Shanghai charm and modern energy.Day or night, the Bund bursts with life, offering a stunning glimpse of the city’s shifting skyline, its lights shimmering across the river.
