Shanghai/Bund
From World travel guide
The Bund (外滩 Wàitān) is Shanghai's stately street of old colonial-era buildings and the first port of call for many visitors. Shanghai's Old Town (南市 Nanshi) is located next to the southern part of the Bund.
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Understand
Located on the west bank of the Huangpu River, there are excellent views of Pudong's skyscrapers from the perennially packed promenade of the Bund. Nanjing Road, the main shopping street, heads west from the Bund's centerpoint.
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Get in
Surprisingly there are no metro stations on the Bund. The closest you can get is Henan Zhonglu on Line 2.
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See
- The Bund - The Bund alongside Huangpu River once was the financial center of the Far East. It is considered the city's symbol since the 1920s. It is often referred to as "the museum of buildings", as many different styles of European buildings can be found here. Now it is even more attractive as you can also see modern skyscrapers just opposite the Huangpu River. That gives you a strong contrast between modern life and the past.
- Peace Hotel (see Sleep)
- Customs House, featuring a highly visible clocktower nicknamed "Big Ching"
- HSBC Building, the grandest building on the Bund, now home to the Pudong Development Bank
- Huangpu Park (黄浦园 Huángpǔyuàn)), at the northern tip of the Bund, was the legendary home of the "No dogs or Chinese" sign — which in fact never existed, although Chinese not accompanied by foreigners were indeed banned until 1928. The Bund Historical Museum located here is worth a quick visit.
- Yuyuan Garden (豫园) - A traditional Chinese Ming style garden, originally built in 1559 but ransacked and restored several times since then. Entry to the garden is an expensive Y30, but worth it for the many exquisite Chinese pavilions and sculpted gardens within. Near the garden, the famous zigzag bridge and its teahouse (see Drink) can be visited. The bazaar near the garden is always crowded with both Chinese and Western tourists.
- Temple of the Town Gods (城隍廟 Chénghuángmiào) - A well-known Taoist temple not far from Yuyuan, the biggest example of traditional Chinese architecture in Shanghai. You can find local snacks and food, as well as other traditional Chinese decorations.
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Do
- Huangpu river cruise - Available at the Bund's southern end ferry port in a large variety: One hour, two hour and three hour cruises on the Huangpu. There a large number of ticket offices and the prices differ slightly. A one hour trip should cost around Y25. The three hour trips leave at 2pm.
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Buy
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Eat
- M on the Bund (5, The Bund; [1]) - one of Shanghai's newest and trendiest restaurants. Also has magnificent views of Pudong from the 7th floor on the waterfront.
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Drink
- Mid-Lake Pavilion Teahouse (湖心亭 Húxīntíng), in the Yuyuan Gardens and reached by a 9-legged zigzag path to stop evil spirits, is one of the most famous tea houses in all of China. A glass (not even a pot) of your tea of choice will cost you a steep Y20-25 downstairs and nearly ridiculous Y40-55 upstairs — but upstairs you'll get nice views, respite from the crowds, "free" snacks and even a souvenir or two.
- Bar Rouge, on the Bund, close to "M on the Bund". A magnificent bar with a great terrace on the 7th floor, overlooking the Huang Pu river
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Sleep
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Budget
- Captain Hostel, No. 37 Fuzhou Rd (just off the Bund). Good rooms, cheap dorms, unbeatable location.
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Mid-range
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Splurge
- Peace Hotel (和平飯店 Heping Fandian; Nanjing Donglu; tel. 6321 6888; [2]) is Shanghai's grand old hotel, in 1930s Art Deco style and excellently located on the Bund. Discount rates for doubles start around US$100, perhaps somewhat overpriced given the lackluster facilities and the spotty service. It has, however, a great cafe where you can enjoy a cup of coffee, as well as some jazz music played by the famous "Old Men's Jazz Band" made up of old musicians who played in the same hotel in the 1930s.
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