The Bund Area

Address: Zhongshan East 1st Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai, China

Hours: Public waterfront open 24 hours (individual museums and attractions along the Bund have separate hours)

Admission: Free (public waterfront)

The Bund is Shanghai’s famous west-bank waterfront promenade along the Huangpu River, known for its concentration of historic early 20th-century buildings and river views. The area developed as Shanghai’s financial and commercial heart during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

A wide riverside walk of about 1.5 kilometres links important structures such as customs houses, bank buildings and hotels, and it is a prime vantage point for views across to Pudong’s modern skyscrapers. The Bund is used for sightseeing, river cruises and photography, especially at sunset and after dark when the facades are illuminated.

The Bund’s ensemble of architecture dates largely from the late 1800s through the 1930s and reflects a range of neoclassical, baroque and art deco styles tied to Shanghai’s international trading period. The waterfront has been maintained and pedestrianised to prioritise tourism and public access.

Geographically the Bund runs along the western bank of the Huangpu River in central Shanghai, opposite the Lujiazui district in Pudong and within walking distance of Nanjing Road and other central city attractions.

• Scale: The promenade stretches for roughly 1.5 kilometres and is lined by about 50 historic buildings in colonial and early 20th-century styles.
• Best time for views: Evening lighting highlights the riverfront façades and provides classic views of the Pudong skyline across the Huangpu River.

What to See#

• Customs and banking buildings: Early 20th-century customs and banking buildings on the Bund’s waterfront; the Customs House and the former HSBC Building are notable for their clock tower and neoclassical façades.
• Peace Hotel: Historic hotel building known for its green pyramid roof and art deco façade, located toward the northern end of the Bund.
• Waibaidu Bridge (Garden Bridge): A steel bridge marking the northern end of the Bund promenade and a common photo viewpoint for river and skyline views.

The nearest metro stations are East Nanjing Road (Line 2/10) and Nanjing East Road pedestrian street leads directly to the Bund; taxis are abundant in central Shanghai.

• Walk the Bund early in the morning for quiet streets and the best photos of the colonial façades without crowds.
• Cross the Waibaidu Bridge at sunset and then take the river ferry for a classic riverside view of Pudong's skyline at night.
• Look for small details on the façades-lion-head fountains, carved column capitals and 1920s bronze plaques marking original tenants.