The Bund (外滩)

Shanghai's signature waterfront: a 1.5 km row of grand 1920s European buildings on one side, and the futuristic Pudong skyline — Oriental Pearl, Shanghai Tower, Jin Mao — across the Huangpu River on the other. Free, flat, open 24/7, and unforgettable after dark. TripAdvisor ranks it the #1 thing to do in Shanghai.

First-time visitor essentials — the 4 worries, solved

Before you go

• Cost: free, open 24/7. The promenade never closes.
• Best time: 17:30–21:00. Arrive before sunset to catch the "blue hour" (around 18:30–19:00), then watch the building lights switch on at ~19:00. Weekday evenings are far less packed than Friday/Saturday.
• Lighting hours: The colonial-building floodlights are on roughly 19:00–22:00 (slightly earlier in winter). The Pudong tower lights usually stay on until ~22:30.
• Weather: The river breeze is welcome in summer but can be cold in winter; bring a light layer even on warm nights.

How to get there

• Metro (best): Line 2 or 10 to East Nanjing Road (南京东路), Exit 7. Walk east 5–8 minutes to the river. This drops you right at the middle of the Bund.
• Also good: Line 12 to Tiantong Road (天潼路) for the north end near the Waibaidu Bridge, or Line 10/14 to Yuyuan Garden if you're walking up from Yu Garden.
• From Pudong: Take the metro from Lujiazui to East Nanjing Road (4 min, ¥4), or ride the Jinling East Road → Dongchang Road ferry for ¥2 — the classic local crossing with great skyline views.
• DiDi / taxi: Set the drop-off to "East Nanjing Road pedestrian street" or "The Bund" (外滩) and walk the last few minutes. Do not ask a driver to take you right onto Zhongshan East Road during peak hours — traffic is gridlocked.
• Avoid: the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel (a tacky light show for ¥50). Take the metro, ferry or a taxi under the river instead.

How long to spend

• Quick look: 30–45 minutes for a walk along the railing and a few photos.
• Recommended: 1.5–2 hours — stroll the full 1.5 km, read the building plaques, and grab a drink with a view.
• Full evening: 3+ hours if you add a river cruise, dinner at a Bund-facing restaurant, or a crossing to Pudong for the reverse view.

Popular must-sees

• The colonial facades: 52 buildings in Gothic, Baroque, Romanesque and Art Deco styles — the former HSBC, Customs House, Peace Hotel and Bank of China are the headline stops. Read the free plaques on the railing.
• The Pudong skyline: Shanghai Tower, Jin Mao Tower and the Oriental Pearl across the river — best viewed from the water's edge at night.
• Peace Hotel (Fairmont): the green-copper-roofed landmark at the north end. The lobby and jazz bar are worth a peek; the rooftop terrace has one of the best views in the city.
• Waibaidu Bridge (Garden Bridge): the steel-truss bridge at the north tip — a classic film location and the cleanest shot of the full skyline.
• East Nanjing Road entrance: where the pedestrian shopping street meets the Bund — a logical start or end point.

Hidden gems and local favorites

• Zhapu Road Bridge (乍浦路桥): a 10-minute walk north of the main Bund strip. Locals call it the best photo spot because it frames the old Waibaidu Bridge, the colonial buildings and the Pudong towers in one shot — with far fewer people.
• Beijing East Road intersection: look back west from the river for a natural "frame" of two classical buildings with the Oriental Pearl in the middle.
• The ¥2 ferry: Jinling East Road to Dongchang Road is a commuter ferry, not a tour boat. It takes 5–10 minutes and gives you the same river view as a ¥150 cruise.
• Early morning: come at 6:00–7:30 AM to see locals doing tai chi, jogging and ballroom dancing on the promenade — a completely different, quieter Bund.
• Hidden building lobbies: several historic Bund buildings (e.g. No. 1, 3, 18) now house galleries, cafés or shops and let you walk inside for free — a break from the crowds.
• South end (Shiliupu): fewer tourists, more locals fishing and evening runners. Good if the central stretch feels like a concert crowd.

Things to watch out for

• Crowds: Friday/Saturday nights and national holidays are packed shoulder-to-shoulder. Go on a weekday or arrive before 18:00.
• Pickpockets: the promenade is safe but crowded — keep phones and wallets in front pockets.
• Skip the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel: it's a dated light-show ride for ¥50. The ¥2 ferry or the metro is a better experience.
• Overpriced river cruises: touts near the pier sell ¥120–180 "VIP" cruises. Book official boats (look for the Shanghai Cruise Company signs) or just take the ¥2 ferry.
• Street photographers: some people will ask to take your photo and then charge you. A polite "no, thanks" is enough.
• Traffic closures: on major holidays police may close parts of Zhongshan East Road to vehicles and route pedestrians one-way. Follow the barriers — they move fast.
• Restrooms: public toilets are available but can have queues at night; use the facilities in a mall or hotel before you head to the river.

After you leave

• Walk Nanjing Road: the pedestrian mall runs straight west from the Bund to People's Square — 15–20 minutes of neon and department stores.
• Cross to Pudong: the reverse view from Lujiazui Riverside Promenade is the iconic postcard shot of the Bund. Take the ferry or metro.
• Drink with a view: rooftop bars at the Bund and nearby hotels have minimum spends or reservations; book ahead for sunset slots.
• Complaints: 12345 tourist hotline for any issue.

Before you arrive — quick setup

• Maps: save "The Bund" (外滩), "East Nanjing Road" (南京东路) and "Waibaidu Bridge" (外白渡桥) in Chinese for offline use.
• Pair it with Yu Garden: the old town is a 15-minute walk south — do Yu Garden by day and the Bund by night.
• Camera: a tripod or mini-grip helps for night shots; the promenade railing is a stable surface for phone long-exposure.

Quick facts