• The Bund

• Name in Chinese characters: 外滩
• Name in Pinyin: Wàitān

• General Overview

  

  The Bund is the nickname for a section of the embankment running along the west side of the Huangpu River. This used to be part of the Shanghai International Settlement and has many buildings and wharves dating from that era.

  Attractions For Visitors

  The embankment has undergone much reconstruction of late making more room and adding more interest for visitors. The views across to Pudong are as spectacular as ever (see bottom of the page) but many other attractions are now to be found below ground.

  The Bund Tunnel and other attractions

  A pedestrian metro tunnel under the Huangpu River to Pudong District shot to fame because of its gaudy lighting. This cheap thrill is no longer so cheap but still makes for one of the best ways to visit the east side. A number of other sound and light attractions have been built at the tunnel's entrance. These are aimed at kids but tend to be pricey.

  The Peace Hotel

  The Peace Hotel was formed from two very famous hotels - the Palace and the Cathay. The latter was built by Sir Victor Sassoon and was his home as well as the site of one of the best jazz bands in Asia. It is still famous for this and for its cafe.

  Huangpu Park

  At the north end of the Bund there is a small park area. This contains two sites of interest:

  • The Monument to the People's Heroes commemorates those individuals who laid down their lives in the various attempts to free China from foreign occupations such as the Shanghai International Settlement; and
  • the Bund Historical Museum which contains many photos of old Shanghai and brings the modern developments into sharp contrast.
  
  

  Huangpu River Cruise

  Many visitors like to take a cruise on the Huangpu River so as to see the Bund and other parts of Shanghai from the water. Different length cruises are available. You will need to look carefully at times and prices to ensure that you get the one you want. These leave from the Bund. Evening cruises are especially popular as Shanghai at night is even more spectacular.

  Visit The Bund with China Journeys

  The following China holidays include The Bund:

  • China In Bloom
  • Shanghai Review
  
  
  
  
  
• 
  
  

  ---

  
  
  

• Current Comments

  4 comments so far (post your own)

  Hi Helen
  
  Indeed, the Bund is also known as The Waterfront, for the Puxi (West City) which is the older part. Not much is preserved of the port facilities though you may enjoy exploring the area around Suzhou Creek.
  
  Be sure to visit the Urban Planning Museum which has many photos from the colonial era.

  Posted by China Journeys on Thu 16 Feb, 2012

  My books detailing British sailing ships and their trade routes refer to the Shanghai waterfront. Is this the Bund or another port area? - are any sections preserved?

  Posted by Helen on Thu 16 Feb, 2012

  Hi Gabriel
  
  Most cruise are one hour long. If you want a very special trip then think about the three hour trip which heads out to the mouth of the River Yangtse. There is only one of these each day, in the afternoon.

  Posted by China Journeys on Mon 6 Feb, 2012

  Hi
  
  How long are the cruises?
  
  Thanks
  Gabriel Rees

  Posted by Gabriel on Mon 6 Feb, 2012

  Leave your comment:
  Name:
  Email:
  Comments:
  Please note: comments may take some time to appear, typically about one hour.
  We try to respond to all comments within 24 hours. There may be times when this is not possible.
  Anti-spam check. Please type the single digit indicated by the text number below:
  Eight:
  	Note: Emails will not be visible or used in any way, and are not required. Please keep comments relevant. Any content deemed inappropriate or offensive may be edited and/or deleted. No HTML code is allowed. Line breaks will be converted automatically. Please use BBCode to format your text.

  ---

  If you like this, please spread the word

  Bookmark this on Delicious

  
  
  

Get Recommendations

• Yunnan And Yangtse

  

  This journey combines the excitement of discovery in remote Yunnan with a comfortable Yangtse Cruise and a comprehensive look at the most popular sites.

  Full holiday details ...

  From £ 3,290
• Minority Rapport

  

  Guizhou Province has always been remote. It is now becoming easier to travel there so be amongst the first to discover the rich cultural legacy of this isolation before it too moves into the modern world.

  Full holiday details ...

  From £ 1,895
• Going Cloud Way

  

  The minority groups in Yunnan have been known as the Coloured Clouds, a reference to the beautiful clothing worn, especially by the ladies. Our journey takes us south-west to their homelands.

  Full holiday details ...

  From £ 2,050
• Land Of The Setting Sun

  

  We plunge straight into a very different country by starting our journey out west in Lanzhou. Already there is a heavy influence of the Muslim world indicating that you are on the route of the ancient Silk Road.

  Full holiday details ...

  From £ 2,850

24/7 Sales Support:
   UK +44 (0)844 567 0953
   USA +1-877-526-3979