The Bund
外滩
A 1.5-kilometre stretch on the west bank of the Huangpu River, known as the 'Museum of World Architecture,' facing the Lujiazui skyline across the river. It is Shanghai's most iconic city image.
The Bund was Shanghai's financial district after the city opened to foreign trade. Along Zhongshan East Road, from East Nanjing Road to the Waibaidu Bridge, about 1.5 km, stand 52 neoclassical and Art Deco historic buildings. These include the HSBC Building (now the Shanghai Pudong Development Bank, where you can enter to see the dome mural in the main hall), the Customs House (whose clock chimes every 15 minutes), Peace Hotel (formerly the Cathay Hotel, where an elderly jazz band performs every night), No. 3 and No. 18 The Bund, and more. The observation platforms offer an eye-level view across the river of the Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai Tower, Jin Mao Tower and Shanghai World Financial Center. The blue hour, from sunset until the lights come on (around 5 to 6 p.m. in winter and 7 p.m. in summer), is the most photogenic time. The lights stay on until 10 p.m. (11 p.m. on weekends and public holidays). Recommended route: from Nanjing East Road Metro Station, walk along the Nanjing Road pedestrian street to Chen Yi Square on the Bund. Head north to the Waibaidu Bridge to see where Suzhou Creek meets the river and the Shanghai Mansion. On the way back, take a Huangpu River sightseeing cruise from Shiliupu Pier (about RMB 120 to 180, 50 minutes), or take the ferry from the Jinling East Road ferry terminal for RMB 2 to Pudong. Admission is free and no reservation is needed, but during large crowds such as National Day or New Year's Eve, one-way traffic is enforced. Metro Lines 2 and 10, Nanjing East Road Station, 8 minutes' walk. Between 6 and 7 a.m. the crowds are at their smallest, and you can watch morning exercises and the sunrise. The Binjiang Avenue on the opposite bank is also a good spot to photograph the Bund.
Opening hours
Open all day; building lights 7:00–10:00pm (until 11:00pm on weekends and holidays)
Nearby sights
- Museum of Art Pudong
- Garden Bridge (Waibaidu Bridge) & North Bund
- Yu Garden & City God Temple
- Oriental Pearl Tower / Lujiazui
- Huangpu River Cruise
- Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street
- Shanghai Ocean Aquarium
- Shanghai Tower Top of Shanghai Observatory