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.

The Bund, Shanghai: Map & Visitor's Guide (2026)

Shanghai's iconic waterfront promenade with stunning views of Pudong's futuristic skyline across the Huangpu River.

At a glance

What it is: Landmark
Also known as: 外滩 (Wài Tān)
Opening hours: Always open
Time needed: 1-2 hours
Best time to visit: Sunset, 5:00-8:00 PM
Getting there: Metro to the door
English: Full English menu
Cards accepted: Visa, Mastercard
Entry: Walk-in — no booking
Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi
Address: Zhongshan East 1st Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai · 黄浦区中山东一路

See The Bundtickets & tours

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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.

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.

Photos

Night view of a city with illuminated buildings.

Stunning night view of Shanghai's Bund, showcasing illuminated historic buildings along the waterfront.

Modern shanghai skyline with oriental pearl tower and ships.

Illuminated historic buildings along The Bund in Shanghai at night, reflecting over water.

Worker in bright yellow suit sweeps wet pavement outdoors.

Urban skyline of Shanghai featuring a classic post office building by the river.

City skyline with modern buildings at dusk.

Dramatic night view of Shanghai Bund buildings beautifully illuminated along the Huangpu River.

Ornate buildings illuminated at night with crowds walking

Low angle of aged masonry Bund exterior with clock and national flag near river and glowing lamp post above unrecognizable people in town at dusk

People taking photos along a waterfront with city skyline.

Vibrant night view of the Shanghai skyline featuring the Oriental Pearl Tower and colorful reflections.

City skyline with illuminated skyscrapers at night

Panoramic view of the illuminated Shanghai skyline and Huangpu River during twilight with iconic landmarks.

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

Hannah K.·TripAdvisor·5/5

Took the ferry across to Pudong — best 2 RMB I've ever spent. Way better than the sightseeing tunnel.

2026-02-15

ShanghaiNights·YouTube·5/5

Every photographer needs to come here. Golden hour on the Bund is pure magic.

2026-01-28

旅游博主阿杰·Ctrip·5/5

The night view is Shanghai's calling card. Come around 7pm for the best light show.

2026-03-30

Peter G.·Google Maps·4/5

Iconic location. The historic buildings along the waterfront tell the story of Shanghai's past.

2026-02-08

Maria L.·TripAdvisor·5/5

Absolutely breathtaking at night. The Oriental Pearl Tower and Shanghai Tower light up beautifully.

2026-04-12

Daniel W.·Google Maps·3/5

Very touristy and crowded. But the view IS spectacular — just manage your expectations for elbow room.

2026-01-05

ExpatInSH·YouTube·4/5

Living here 3 years and the Bund never gets old. Best spot to take visitors from home.

2026-03-05

Nina R.·TripAdvisor·5/5

Free to visit and absolutely worth it. Spent an hour just sitting and watching the boats go by.

2026-02-22

上海小资生活·Xiaohongshu·5/5

The rooftop bars along the Bund have incredible views. Splurge on a cocktail with a Pudong backdrop.

2026-04-18

Kevin M.·Google Maps·5/5

Walked the entire 1.5km stretch at sunset. Every angle is a postcard. Bring your camera.

2026-01-20

Isabelle F.·TripAdvisor·4/5

Beautiful but windy in winter. Layer up if visiting Nov-Feb. The views are worth the cold.

2025-12-15

环球旅行家·Ctrip·5/5

Shanghai's most iconic view. The Bund at night rivals Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour.

2026-03-12

Steve A.·Google Maps·4/5

Tip: walk north past the main tourist section for fewer crowds and equally good views.

2026-02-18

TravelMaven·YouTube·5/5

Did a sunrise-to-sunset Bund challenge. Sunrise was peaceful, sunset was electric. Both incredible.

2026-04-20

Watch creators visit The Bund

Each clip is timestamped to the moment the creator arrives at this stop.

Shanghai: China's Largest & Richest City | Travel Guide 2025

CoolVisionStarts at 1:31

The Bund

Shanghai: China's Largest & Richest City | Travel Guide 2025

CoolVisionStarts at 25:50

Huangpu River Cruise

Videos

Night Walk In Shanghai | From The Bund To East Nanjing Road | 4K | 上海 | 外滩 | 南京路步行街

Walk East

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.