The Bund is Shanghai's most famous waterfront stretch, running 1.5 km along the western bank of the Huangpu River. On one side stand 52 buildings in various architectural styles — Gothic, Baroque, Romanesque, and Art Deco — remnants of Shanghai's colonial past. Across the river, the Pudong skyline featuring the Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai Tower, and World Financial Center creates one of the world's most photographed cityscapes. The promenade is best experienced at dusk when the Pudong lights begin to glow. The area is very tourist-friendly with English signage, international restaurants, and easy metro access. Free to walk at all hours. The Bund Sightseeing Tunnel offers an unusual light-show ride under the river to Pudong, though most tourists find the ferry a better value.
Address
Zhongshan East 1st Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai
黄浦区中山东一路
Highlights
- Pudong Skyline View (浦东天际线)Best at dusk when lights glow; iconic skyline with Oriental Pearl Tower
- Colonial Architecture (万国建筑群)52 buildings in Gothic, Baroque, Art Deco styles along the Bund
- Bund Sightseeing Tunnel (外滩观光隧道)Light-show ride under river to Pudong; ferry is better value
What Chinese travelers actually do here
Distilled from Chinese-language travel notes — the practical tips most English guides miss.
- ▸The Pudong-side view of The Bund is actually better than The Bund's view of Pudong — cross to Lujiazui Riverside Promenade for sunrise (6-7 AM) to photograph the colonial buildings glowing in the east light, before the smog of the day kicks in.
- ▸The Bund Sightseeing Tunnel (外滩观光隧道) is a notorious tourist trap — ¥50 for a 5-minute LED-light-show ride under the river. Skip; take the public ferry from Jinling Road Pier (金陵东路渡口) for ¥2 and the same crossing in 8 minutes.
- ▸Best Oriental Pearl photo angle is NOT from the central Bund walkway — walk 200m south to Chen Yi Square (陈毅广场) for the diagonal angle that includes the Huangpu River curve and Shanghai Tower. This is the angle every viral Shanghai photo uses.
- ▸The colonial buildings are most dramatic from inside, not outside. Free public access to: HSBC Building lobby (mosaic ceiling), Peace Hotel north building lobby (Art Deco original), and Bund 18 rooftop bar (drinks expensive but elevator + view free until 6 PM).
- ▸The Huangpu River cruise (¥120-180) is overrated for nighttime — the boat moves slowly and you're at water level, not skyline level. The free Bund promenade gives you the same view standing still. Daytime cruise is more justifiable for the architectural narration.
- ▸Sunset timing: in November-February the Pudong lights turn on at 5:30 PM; in summer not until 7 PM. Time your visit to land at the railing 20 minutes before lights-on, when the sky's still blue and the buildings start glowing — the 10-minute window is unbeatable.
- ▸Best dinner-with-view spots that aren't ¥800/person: M on the Bund (rooftop, ¥350), Char Bar at Hotel Indigo (less iconic Bund view but ¥250), or skip the rooftop and eat at Lost Heaven Garden (Yunnan food, ¥180) two blocks back — then walk over for the lights at 8 PM.
For foreign visitors
- English service: full english menu
- Cards accepted: visa, master
- Booking / entry: not needed
- Best time: Sunset, 5:00-8:00 PM
- Wi-Fi: free
- Transit access: metro direct
Photos
What travelers say (20 reviews)
Emily C.·TripAdvisor·5/5
The view of Pudong at sunset is absolutely magical. One of the best skyline views in the world.
2026-03-18
Robert N.·Google Maps·5/5
Walk here at night when everything is lit up. The contrast between old and new Shanghai is stunning.
2026-04-01
AsiaExplorer·YouTube·5/5
Filmed the most incredible time-lapse from day to night here. The Pudong lights are unreal.
2026-02-25
Julia H.·TripAdvisor·4/5
Beautiful promenade but extremely crowded in the evening. Go during the day for a more relaxed experience.
2026-01-12
魔都打卡王·Xiaohongshu·5/5
The colonial-era buildings are gorgeous. Each one has its own architectural style — Art Deco, Gothic, Baroque.
2026-03-25
Alex F.·Google Maps·4/5
Great for a morning jog or an evening stroll. The riverside breeze is refreshing.
2026-04-08
Videos
Frequently asked questions about The Bund
- Is The Bund free to visit?
- Yes — the riverside promenade is open 24 hours and entirely free. You only pay if you board the Huangpu River cruise, the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel (¥50), or visit a rooftop bar inside one of the colonial buildings.
- What is the best time to visit The Bund?
- Sunset to about 10 PM — the Pudong skyline lights up around dusk and is at its most photogenic for 60–90 minutes after dark. Arrive by 5:30 PM in winter and 7 PM in summer. The lights officially turn off around 10–11 PM. Avoid the noon crowds; the architecture isn't lit then and the view is harsh.
- How do I get to The Bund by metro?
- Take Metro Line 2 or Line 10 to East Nanjing Road Station (南京东路站), then walk 8–10 minutes east along Nanjing Road. Line 10 from Yuyuan (Yu Garden) is two stops. Taxis can drop you at Zhongshan East 1st Road. Avoid driving — there's no parking nearby.
- How long should I spend at The Bund?
- 60–90 minutes is enough to walk the 1.5 km promenade end to end and take photos. Add 30 minutes for a Pudong-side ferry crossing (¥2 one way), or 60 minutes for the Huangpu River sightseeing cruise. Foodies often pair The Bund with dinner at one of the rooftop venues — that turns it into a 3-hour stop.
- What's the difference between The Bund and Pudong?
- The Bund (Puxi side) is the historic colonial-era waterfront with stone buildings. Pudong is the modern skyscraper side across the river, home to the Oriental Pearl Tower and Shanghai Tower. Most travelers walk The Bund first to view Pudong, then cross via ferry or Bund Sightseeing Tunnel for the close-up Pudong experience.
- Is The Bund safe at night?
- Yes — it's one of Shanghai's most policed and tourist-friendly areas. The promenade is well-lit and busy until midnight. Pickpocketing in dense crowds (especially during light-show finales) is the main risk. Keep your phone in a zippered pocket.
- Can I do a Huangpu River cruise from The Bund?
- Yes — cruise boats depart from the Bund piers roughly every 30 minutes from 6 PM to 9:30 PM. Tickets are ¥120–180 depending on the boat and length (40–60 minutes). Book on Trip.com in advance during weekends and holidays.
- What's near The Bund I should visit?
- Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street starts at The Bund's western end (5-minute walk). Yu Garden and Yuyuan Bazaar are 20 minutes south. Lujiazui in Pudong is 1 metro stop or a 15-minute ferry. Shanghai Museum (People's Park) is 15 minutes by metro.
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