The Bund (Waitan), Shanghai (must see)

If you want to explore the history of Shanghai as the leading financial hub of modern China, the Bund is the ideal place to start. Originally a towpath for barges loaded with rice, it later became the site of Shanghai’s first foreign settlement and developed into a bustling business district, where major banks and trading companies established themselves to take advantage of growing trade opportunities.

In its heyday, the Bund was also home to the Russian and British consulates, as well as the English Club and the Masonic Lodge. Before the Communist victory in the Chinese Civil War, the area featured numerous statues of prominent colonial and European figures. These have since been replaced by a bronze statue of Chen Yi, Shanghai’s first mayor after the Communist takeover, and the Monument to the People’s Heroes at the northern end.

During the 1990s, the Bund underwent extensive restoration, revealing a waterfront lined with buildings representing the architectural styles of the nations that once played a role in Shanghai’s development.

The western side of the Bund is known for its older colonial-style architecture, most notably the neoclassical Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Building and the Signal Tower, formerly used to assist shipping on the Huangpu River. For many locals, this area remains a reminder of a century of foreign influence and dominance. Today, however, it has become a hub for fine dining, entertainment, and shopping.

Set against the now-famous Shanghai skyline, with its skyscrapers of various shapes, heights, and colors, the Bund is especially breathtaking after sunset, when the buildings and riverfront are illuminated. Be sure to visit before 10 p.m., as some of the lights are turned off after that time.

If you are taking a stroll along the Bund, head to the raised section beside the river for the best view of both sides of the promenade. Alternatively, climb to the observation deck of one of the high towers east of the Huangpu River to see the full sweep of the riverfront from above. It is a sight not to be missed.