About The Bund
The Bund (Waitan) is Shanghai's most famous landmark, a 1.5-kilometer waterfront promenade along the west bank of the Huangpu River. During the treaty port era (1843-1943), this was the heart of Shanghai's International Settlement, where foreign banks, trading houses, and consulates built grand buildings in neoclassical, art deco, and baroque styles.
Today, the Bund's 52 historic buildings remain remarkably preserved, creating an architectural museum of early 20th-century Western design. Across the river, Pudong's futuristic skyline — including the Oriental Pearl Tower, Jin Mao Tower, and Shanghai Tower — provides a stunning contrast. The view from the Bund at sunset or after dark, when both sides are illuminated, is one of the world's great urban vistas.
What Not to Miss
The Custom House with its iconic clock tower, modeled after London's Big Ben.
The Fairmont Peace Hotel, a legendary art deco building from 1929 that once hosted Charlie Chaplin.
Night views when the Bund and Pudong are both illuminated — the quintessential Shanghai photo.
