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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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] Get in
Surprisingly there are no metro stations on the Bund. The closest you can get is the Nanjing Dong Lu stop on Line 2.
- 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 (黄浦公园 Huángpǔgōngyuán)), 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.
- <see name="Yuyuan Garden (Garden of Contentment)" alt="豫园" address="" directions="" phone="021-63282465, 021-63260830" email="" fax="" url="http://yugarden.com.cn" hours="" price="¥40">A traditional Chinese Ming style private 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, seemingly never-ending paths, 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.</see>
- <see name="Temple of the Town Gods" alt="城隍廟 Chénghuángmiào" address="249 Bangzhong Road, Huangpu District" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://www.shchm.org" hours="" price="">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.</see>
- 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.
- Huangpu river ferry, For those on a budget or short on time, you can take the ferry across to Pudong. This costs 3RMB and takes about 15 min.
- Bund Tourist Tunnel, Fun for kids and just plain odd for adults, the Bund Tourist Tunnel is the quickest way to get from the Bund to Putong on the other side of the river. It is however quite expensive and not recommended for epileptics due to the strobe lights. Visitors ride it like an amusement park ride but don't expect anything too culturally enriching.[1]
The area around the Bund, while touristy, is not traditionally a shopping area like nearby Nanjing Road. This has changed a bit in the early 2000's with the successive restoration and opening of No.3 and No.18 on the Bund. Each houses top-of-the-line couture houses, spas, expensive bars & restaurants and art spaces. They have become something of a destination in and by themselves, especially with the newly rich jetset. Dress well or expect curt service.
3 on the Bund houses the flagship store of Armani in China as well as several critically-acclaimed restaurants. [2]
- M on the Bund (5, The Bund; [3]) - one of Shanghai's newest and trendiest restaurants. Also has magnificent views of Pudong from the 7th floor on the waterfront.
- Captain Hostel, located on No. 37 Fuzhou lu. Located on the top floor of this hostel is a wonderful terrace and bar that overlooks the Bund and Pudong. If you are a traveller on a budget, this is the place to go.
- 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. If you order their signature drink, they set the bar alight (hence the name "Bar Rouge").
[edit] Budget
- Hongkong Hotel, 31 Hongkong Street. If all the youth hostels are fully booked, which happens frequently, this is the next cheapest option on the bund, with singles from RMB 130. Phone 02163390183-0 and 02163390186. [4]
[edit] Mid-range
[edit] Splurge
- Peace Hotel (和平飯店 Heping Fandian; Nanjing Donglu; tel. 6321 6888; [5]) 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 lacklustre 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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