The Bund

The Bund is Shanghai’s historic waterfront promenade along the Huangpu River, lined with early-20th-century banks and trading houses in neoclassical, Art Deco, and Gothic styles. Facing the modern skyline of Lujiazui, it offers one of the city’s most striking contrasts and best photo spots. Visitors come for river views, evening light displays, and a walkable lesson in Shanghai’s colonial-era history. Highlights include the Custom House clock tower, Peace Hotel, and nearby ferries. It’s most rewarding at dusk or night, and easy to combine with Nanjing Road or a Huangpu cruise. Expect crowds, especially on weekends and holidays.