What it actually is
The Bund (外滩, 'Wàitān' — 'outside-bank') is a 1.5 km curved waterfront promenade on the west bank of the Huangpu River. Between 1850 and 1937, 22 architecturally distinct buildings rose here, housing British, French, American, and Japanese banks, trading houses, and consulates. Most survive today and house high-end restaurants, hotels, and museums. Across the river, the Lujiazui district of Pudong — empty marshland in 1990 — now holds three of the world's ten tallest buildings (Shanghai Tower 632m, Shanghai World Financial Center 492m, Jin Mao Tower 421m). The contrast between the two banks is Shanghai's defining image.
Why it’s worth going
No single image captures 'old vs new China' better than the Bund at sunset. Walk it slowly — the colonial buildings reveal themselves only when you read the brass plaques (the Customs House Big Ben from 1927, the HSBC Building dome of 1923). At 7pm the Pudong skyline lights up with synchronized LED facades. The ¥2 East Jinling ferry across the river is one of the great urban experiences in China — local commute, not tourist boat. Pair with surrounding districts: Nanjing Road E for shopping, the French Concession for tree-lined cafés, or M50 art district for galleries.
Standard Bund walk — south to north
Start Yan'an East Rd ferry terminal, end East Nanjing Rd metro. 1.5 km, 90 minutes at slow pace.
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Yan'an East Road south end· 10 min
Start point with Pudong skyline framed by the colonial buildings
Walk north along the elevated promenade
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Shanghai Pudong Development Bank (No. 12)· 15 min
Former HSBC building, 1923 — two bronze lions, dome interior
Cross into elevated walkway for facade views
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Customs House (No. 13)· 10 min
1927 Big Ben replica clock tower
Continue north past the bronze water buffalo statue
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Peace Hotel (Nos. 19–20)· 15 min
Art Deco masterpiece, 1929 — jazz bar still operating after 90+ years
End of the Bund proper; cross into East Nanjing Rd
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East Nanjing Road metro· 5 min
Onward shopping street or metro Line 2/10
Walk closes here
Editor’s picks
Customs House (No. 13) — Big Ben tower
1927 building with a working four-faced clock — the original Big Ben replica in China. The carillon plays 'The East is Red' on the hour.
HSBC Building (No. 12) — bronze lions
1923 neoclassical headquarters of the Hong Kong & Shanghai Banking Corporation. The two bronze lions guarding the entrance survived war and revolution; rub the paw of 'Stitt' for luck.
East Jinling Ferry — ¥2 across the river
Local commuter ferry, not tourist boat. Departs every 10 minutes from Jinling East Road dock. The cheapest Shanghai skyline tour money can buy.
Bund Sunset to night-light show
From 6:50 to 7pm in summer (5:30–5:50 winter) the Pudong towers light up in synchronized LED patterns. Best vantage: the elevated walkway behind the Peace Hotel.
Peace Hotel jazz bar
The Peace Hotel's 'Old Man Jazz Band' has been playing nightly since 1980 — average age 80+, repertoire from the 1930s. ¥200 cover, reservations recommended.
Tips from locals
- • Start at the south end (Yan'an Road) and walk north — the light grows on the buildings, and you end naturally at Nanjing Road for dinner
- • South-facing waterfront for the Pudong skyline (sunset shot); the elevated walkway behind the buildings for the full colonial frontage
- • The ¥2 East Jinling ferry is one of Shanghai's best experiences — bring small cash or use Alipay/WeChat Pay
- • Summer evenings can be muggy; winter wind off the river is sharp. October–November and April–May are perfect
- • Behind the Bund: Wangjia Sha for xiaolongbao, Yangchun Tang for traditional Shanghai noodles, M on the Bund for fine dining with the view
