Bund has been one of the most recognizable symbols and the pride of Shanghai. The architecture along the Bund is a living museum of the colonial history of the 1800s. You’ve never been to Shanghai if you haven’t seen the Bund.
The Bund stretches 1.5km on the west bank of Huangpu River. It begins at Waibaidu Bridge in the north and ends at Yan’an Road in the south, which crosses Suzhou Creek . The area centers on East Zhongshan No. 1 Road, facing the highly modern skyscrapers of Pudong , in the eastern part of Huangpu District.
Coming to Shanghai and missing the Bund is like visiting Beijing and bypassing the Forbidden City or the Great Wall. The Bund is the iconic landmark of Shanghai and the area around the Bund is the tourist center of Shanghai and is the city’s most famous mile.What impress travelers most should be the 52 buildings with various international architectural styles which makes the Bund “An Exhibition of International Buildings”. There is no doubt that the Bund is the fusion of Western and Chinese Culture, an epitome of Shanghai’s history, and a great place to explore Shanghai’s today and see the future of Shanghai.
Coming to Shanghai and missing the Bund is like visiting Beijing and bypassing the Forbidden City or the Great Wall. The Bund is the iconic landmark of Shanghai and the area around the Bund is the tourist center of Shanghai and is the city’s most famous mile.What impress travelers most should be the 52 buildings with various international architectural styles which makes the Bund “An Exhibition of International Buildings”. It is one of the most important historical sites and representative buildings in modern China and one of the landmarks of Shanghai. There is no doubt that the Bund is the fusion of Western and Chinese Culture, an epitome of Shanghai’s history, and a great place to explore Shanghai’s today and see the future of Shanghai.
History of the Bund
The name “Bund” in Anglo-Indian term means “the embankment of a muddy waterfront”. To know Shanghai, you must come to Shanghai Bund. Before the 1840s, Shanghai was a small seaside town and the Bund was once a muddy towpath for boats along Huangpu River. After First Opium War in 1842, Shanghai began to be an open port and later the Bund was the first settlement of Great Britain. Many foreign powers entered Shanghai and erected their distinct Western-style banks and trading houses from the United Kingdom, France, the United States, Italy, Russia, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands and Belgium, as well as the consulates of Russia and Britain, etc. In the later of 19th Century and 20th Century, Shanghai grew into Asia’s leading city, a cosmopolitan and thriving commercial and financial center. Known as “Oriental Wall Street”, the Bund was a historical miniature of colonial-era Shanghai.
Top Things to Do in the Bund Shanghai
Stroll along the waterfront avenue
The most classic route to explore the Bund is either to wander from the north end to the south or the contrary way. Along the way, you will see the most famous and attractive sight in the Bund, namely 26 colonial-era buildings of different western architectural styles, which give the Bund Shanghai China the fame as a ‘museum of international architecture’.
Walk Along the Bund to Appreciate the Historical Buildings.The Bund is a mile-long stretch of waterfront promenade along the Huangpu River. To the west of this stretch stand 52 buildings of various architectural styles, including Gothic, baroque, and neoclassical styles. It is often referred to as “the museum of buildings”.The best way to appreciate the buildings is to have a walk along the Bund. Roaming among the architectural complexes, you’ll have a better understanding of the century-long charm of this city.
Take a Huangpu River Cruise
After a walk along the Bund, you can consider taking a Huangpu River cruise. On the cruise, you will see the historical architecture on the Bund, as well as the modern skyscrapers opposite the Huangpu River, giving you a distinctive contrast between modern life and the past.You are recommended to take a night cruise and you will be impressed by the enchanting night view of Shanghai.
Watch locals taking morning exercise
The Bund is not just a place for tourists but is also a great place for the local people to do their morning exercises. If you wake up early, you can go to the Bund and watch the locals practicing tai chi, jogging, and more. It is a way to experience the real lifestyle of the local people.
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