The Bund in Shanghai
The Bund or Waitan is one of Shanghai's most popular attractions, stretching along 1.5 km of the west bank of the Huangpu River. Generally refers to the buildings and docks located on this section of the street, as well as some adjacent areas. Across the river are the modern skyscrapers of Lujiazui, in the Pudong district. The word Bund originates from Anglo-Indian meaning waterfront retaining wall, so you can experience the definition literally with a feeling of space and openness that you won't find anywhere else in Shanghai.
Attractions of The Bund
The Bund has dozens of historic buildings, located along the Huangpu River, which formerly housed numerous banks and trading companies of the United Kingdom, France, the United States, Italy, Russia, as well as the consulates of Russia and the United Kingdom. Magnificent commercial buildings of different styles appeared in the early 20th century as the Bund became a major financial center in East Asia.
The Bund houses fifty-two buildings of different architectural styles, generally eclectic, but some buildings mainly show neo-Romanesque, neo-Gothic, neo-Renaissance, neo-Baroque, neoclassical or Beaux Arts elements, and others are in the art deco style.
For example, the Customs building, built in 1927, which stands out for its Bell Tower. In Gothic style, the bell is inspired by the British Capitol bell. It was built in Britain and then sent to Shanghai for assembly, it is said to have cost more than 5,000 taels of silver. It is made up of a needle, bell face, central body and bell, it is a set of tuning devices. It is not only the first great bell in Asia, but also one of the famous great bells in the world.
Furthermore, the Peace Hotel enjoys a high reputation as well. With a distinctive green roof, the hotel is the most iconic building on the Bund. It was built in 1930. The hotel has 270 newly remodeled rooms, of which the well-decorated suites in Chinese, British, French, Italian, German and Indian styles are of unrivaled magnificence. As something special about the hotel, you can listen to live traditional jazz at night.
Things to Do at The Bund
From the boardwalk, you can see the landscape of the Huangpu River, where Tourist Yachts cross and the beautiful profiles of the Eastern Pearl Tower and the Jinmao Tower in the Lujiazui area of Pudong that are constantly renewed. When you look back, you can see those blocks that remember the history and splendor of old Shanghai. The dynamism of the city can be appreciated by the prismatic and dazzling lights at night. It is the contrast between yesterday, today and tomorrow. People like to walk along the Bund to enjoy that unique contrast. Luminous, bright and dazzling to the eye, worthy of the symbol and brand of Shanghai. It is worth taking a walk around the Bund at night.
