The Shanghai Bund is a historic waterfront promenade running along the western bank of the Huangpu River in central Shanghai. Known for its stunning architectural skyline, the Bund stretches for about 1.5 kilometres and serves as a symbol of the city’s cosmopolitan past and dynamic present.
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Bund was the heart of Shanghai’s international settlement, a financial and commercial hub dominated by Western powers. Its iconic skyline features an eclectic mix of architectural styles including Gothic, Baroque, Neoclassical, and Art Deco, most famously the domed HSBC Building and the Customs House with its Big Ben-inspired clock tower. These grand edifices earned the Bund the nickname “the museum of international architecture.”
Today, the Bund is a popular tourist destination offering panoramic views of the futuristic Pudong skyline across the river, including the Oriental Pearl Tower and Shanghai Tower. The promenade is a lively area for both day and night strolls, lined with luxury hotels, upscale boutiques, and historic landmarks. Nightfall brings a spectacular display of lights from both sides of the river, creating a captivating contrast between old and new Shanghai.
Beyond its scenic appeal, the Bund holds cultural and political significance, often used as a backdrop for major national events and celebrations. It is not merely a picturesque waterfront, but a place where the past meets the present, symbolising Shanghai’s unique position at the crossroads of East and West, tradition and modernity.
