The Bund

Introducing The Bund
The Shanghai Bund has also been known as Zhongshan First East Road, which measures about 1.6km (1 mile) in length. It starts from Yanan East Road in the south and extends to Waibaidu Bridge on Suzhou Creek in the north. To the east of The Shanghai Bund is the Huangpu River. To the west of The Shanghai Bund are 52 classic buildings of Gothic and Baroque styles which used to house old Shanghai’s financial institutions and trading companies; therefore, the Shanghai Bund is now acclaimed as an outdoor museum of international architecture.

The Bund Fast Facts
• Chinese Name: Waitan 外滩
• Best Time to Visit: All year around
• Recommended Visiting Hours: About 1 to 2 hours
• Things to Do: Photography, Architecture, Chinese History, Walking
• Opening Hours: All day
• Entrance Fee: Free
• Address: On the bank of Huangpu River, Shanghai

What to expect at The Bund

Once a muddy towpath for boats along the river, the Bund was where the foreign powers that entered Shanghai after the Opium War of 1842 erected their distinct Western-style banks and trading houses. From here, Shanghai grew into Asia’s leading city in the 1920s and 1930s, a cosmopolitan and thriving commercial and financial center. Many of the awesome colonial structures you see today date from that prosperous time and have become an indelible part of Shanghai’s cityscape. The colonial-era buildings that highlight the Bund include the former British Consulate, Customs House, former HSBC Building (the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation), former Shanghai Club (now the Waldorf Astoria Hotel), and the Peace Hotel.

The Huangpu River is the largest river flowing through downtown Shanghai. It rises at Longwang Mountain Nature Reserve close to Anji, Zhejiang province. It experiences the ebb and flow of tides twice every day, and the water levels could have a drop of up to 4 meters. Facing the Huangpu River, Shanghai’s mother river, the Shanghai Bund has been a symbol of the city for over 100 years. It was not only witness to Shanghai’s legendary past, but also fully demonstrates to the world the city’s remarkable ability to absorb foreign cultures. The peaceful river, the long dyke and the green belt against the dazzling backdrop of charming buildings make the Bund Shanghai’s signature spot. In the morning, early birds come here for morning exercises. In daytime, the Shanghai Bund is a bustling attraction. In the evening, the buildings lit up along the Shanghai Bund are like crystal palaces, and visitors are amazed by unforgettable night vistas.

How to get to The Bund

By Metro
• Take Metro Line 2 or 10 to Nanjing Dong Station. Then walk around 10 minutes to the Bund.

By Bus
• Take bus No. 33, 55, 65, 71, 123, 135, 145, 305, 317, 320, 330, 576, or 934 to Zhongshan Dongyilu Hankoulu Station.
• Take Sightseeing Line 1, 3 or 5 to Waitan Haiguan Dalou Station.

Additional travel advice on The Bund
• The landscape light at the Bund is opened from 19:00 to 23:00 in summer and from 18:00 to 22:00 in winter.
• The building at No.1 at the Bund, Peach Hotel, Bank of China Building, Shanghai Archives (the Bund), Shanghai Telecom Museum, Shanghai Pudong Development Bank Building, and the Bund Historical Museum are open to the public.
• Visitors can take Sightseeing Tunnel (¥50 for single trip, ¥70 for round trip) or ferry (¥2 for single trip) between the Bund and Pudong across the Huangpu River.