The Bund, located on the banks of the Huangpu River in the Huangpu District of Shanghai, also known as the Wai Huangpu Bund, is a very historical and cultural neighborhood in Shanghai and even in China, as well as one of the city’s iconic attractions. It starts from East Yan’an Road in the south and ends at Waibaidu Bridge on Suzhou Creek in the north, with a total length of about 1.5 kilometers, just like a sparkling ribbon set on the banks of the Huangpu River.
The east side of the Bund is adjacent to the sparkling Huangpu River, while the west side was the gathering place of financial and foreign trade organizations during the old Shanghai period. The history of the Bund can be traced back to 1844, when the area was designated as the British Concession, which became a vivid depiction of Shanghai’s “Ten Miles of Ocean Frontier” and the starting point for the development of the old Shanghai Concession Area and the entire modern city of Shanghai. After a hundred years in the Concession, the Bund was returned to the Wang Dynasty National Government in 1945 and officially named Zhongshan Dong Dong Yi Road, opening a new chapter in the history of the city.
Strolling along the Bund, you will be fascinated by the 52 classical revival buildings of different styles that stand here. These buildings seem to be a living textbook of architectural history, covering a wide range of architectural styles such as Renaissance, Classical, Baroque, Gothic, etc., which is why the Bund is also known as the “Expo Group of Architecture of All Nations”. These buildings are not only Shanghai’s valuable historical heritage, but also the epitome of China’s important historical sites and representative buildings in modern times.
Among them, the Sassoon House, with its unique Art Deco style and rich historical background, is one of the brightest jewels on the Bund. This once world-famous hotel still attracts countless visitors today. The Bank of China Building, the Peace Hotel, the Customs Building, the HSBC Building and other famous buildings recreate the prosperity of the former “Wall Street of the Far East”, making you feel like you have traveled back in time to that time of change.
When you stand on the Bund and look across the Huangpu River, you will be shocked by the sparkling skyline of Pudong. Modern landmarks such as the Oriental Pearl Tower, the Shanghai Center, and the Shanghai World Financial Center rise up in stark contrast to the classical buildings on the Bund. At night, when the lights illuminate the entire skyline, the view is even more spectacular and unforgettable.
Overall, the Bund is a magical place that combines the classical aesthetics of the West with the unique flavor of the East. The variety of architectural styles here showcases the multicultural charm of Shanghai as a cosmopolitan city. Whether you come to admire the historical buildings, feel the bustle of the city, or experience the rich cultural activities, the Bund is an excellent choice. Here, you can deeply feel the unique charm and infinite vitality of the city of Shanghai.