Shanghai Bund-Provide you with the Stunning Views
Shanghai Bund Overview
The Shanghai Bund, located in the Huangpu District of central Shanghai along the Huangpu River, was demarcated as part of the British concession in 1844 (during the Qing Dynasty, 24th year of Daoguang). This area became a true representation of Shanghai’s international marketplace during its golden era, and is where modern Shanghai began.
It has long been regarded as a symbol of the city’s rich history and one of its most iconic landmarks. The Shanghai Bund stretches 1.5 kilometers from Yan’an East Road in the south to Waibaidu Bridge in the north. Along its western side stand 52 buildings with diverse architectural styles, often referred to as the “Exhibition of World Architecture.”
*Night View of the Shanghai Bund.
*Viewing Platform for the Shanghai Bund Nightscape.
These grand buildings were once home to Shanghai’s financial institutions and foreign trade companies, reflecting the capitalism of old Shanghai and making the area a financial hub. Today, it remains a symbol of Shanghai’s historical past.
On the opposite side of the river, in Pudong’s Lujiazui area, stand some of Shanghai’s most iconic modern buildings, such as the Oriental Pearl Tower, Jin Mao Tower, Shanghai Tower, and Shanghai World Financial Center. These structures have come to represent China’s reform and opening up, as well as Shanghai’s modernization and transformation.
Main Attractions
Huangpu Park🏞️
Huangpu Park is the oldest European-style park in Shanghai, built in 1886. It once bore the humiliating sign “No Chinese or Dogs Allowed.” Today, it stands as a witness to the past century of changes at the Shanghai Bund. The park is now home to the Monument to the People’s Heroes, which is surrounded by a free-to-enter museum that chronicles the struggles of the Chinese people over the past century. The monument’s three upright gun-shaped pillars symbolize the martyrs of the Opium War, the May Fourth Movement, and the Liberation War, representing a deep and lasting memory.
Granite Relief🍃
At the sunken plaza of Huangpu Park stands a granite relief, 120 meters long and 3.8 meters high. This artwork depicts significant historical events from 1840 to 1949, showcasing the revolutionary struggles of the people of Shanghai. Divided into seven sections, the relief features 97 figures that highlight key moments of heroism and sacrifice.
Waibaidu Bridge🌉
The world-renowned Waibaidu Bridge, a symbol of old Shanghai, spans the Suzhou River and connects the city’s northern and eastern districts. Built entirely from steel, this two-span bridge measures 52.16 meters long and 18.3 meters wide, serving as a vital thoroughfare with heavy pedestrian and vehicle traffic.
Shiliupu (16 Piers)
Historically known as the “Water Gateway of Shanghai,” Shiliupu was once a bustling hub of shipping and commerce. Today, the area has transformed with modern amenities, offering accommodations, restaurants, and bathhouses to meet both basic and upscale consumer needs. The iconic Shiliupu logo, inspired by the nearby buildings and the flowing river, reflects its deep cultural and geographical ties to the Huangpu River.
Urban Sculpture Group🗿
The Bund’s green corridor is adorned with three stainless steel sculptures named “Light of the Huangpu,” “Sail,” and “Wind.” These sculptures, located along Jinling East Road, shine brightly under the sun, symbolizing the progress and vitality of Shanghai. Each piece tells a story, with “Light of the Huangpu” representing the river’s melodic flow, “Sail” highlighting Shanghai’s connection to trade, and “Wind” reflecting the powerful changes brought by reform.
Chen Yi Square
At the end of Nanjing Road lies Chen Yi Square, where a statue of Shanghai’s first mayor after the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Chen Yi, stands proudly. The bronze statue stands 5.6 meters tall on a red granite base. The square hosts vibrant musical performances on weekends, and nearby fountains enhance the charm of the Shanghai Bund with colorful nighttime water shows.
Waterfall Clock⏲️
“March of Time” is a striking water clock located opposite the Customs House. Built into the green corridor, this 3.5-meter-high, 2.7-meter-long clock features multiple levels of water fountains controlled by a computer, creating a cascading waterfall that displays the time in major world cities. Paired with the classic Customs House clock, this modern timepiece offers a blend of tradition and technology.
*Night View of the Shanghai Bund.
*”Click in Shanghai”: A Popular Social Media Spot
Lovers’ Wall🧱
The Bund’s “Lovers’ Wall,” stretching from Huangpu Park to the New River, is a 1,700-meter-long waterfront promenade. The observation deck features a blend of decorative iron railings, marble benches, and greenery, providing visitors a peaceful spot to enjoy views of the river.
Sightseeing Tunnel🚞
The Shanghai Bund Sightseeing Tunnel connects the Bund to Pudong’s Lujiazui area, offering a high-tech visual experience. In just a few minutes, visitors travel through a tunnel filled with projections of mysterious starry skies, vast oceans, and even bubbling magma. This first-of-its-kind pedestrian tunnel in China spans 646.7 meters and was completed in 2000.
Architectural Significance
21st Century Developments🎢
With advancements in architectural technology and Shanghai’s growing economic strength, the Shanghai Bund has seen the rise of many multi-story and high-rise buildings. These include a mix of British classical, neo-classical, Gothic, Baroque, and modernist styles. The architectural diversity along the Bund has earned it the title of “Exhibition of World Architecture.”
Many of these buildings have been renovated over time, and today’s visitors can experience the rich history of the Shanghai Bund, especially during evening cruises along the Huangpu River. With its excellent transportation links, shopping options, and historical stories, the Shanghai Bund continues to draw countless visitors, offering a unique blend of the city’s classical and modern charm.
Historical Background🛖
When colonial powers first arrived in Shanghai 150 years ago, they immediately recognized the strategic value of the Bund along the Huangpu River. Over time, the area transformed from a simple waterfront into a bustling hub of commerce and international trade. By the late 19th century, the Bund had become Shanghai’s financial center, often referred to as the “Wall Street of the East.”
The architecture along the Bund has undergone multiple reconstructions, with architects from around the world leaving their mark on this famous strip of land. Today, the Bund is recognized by UNESCO as a potential World Cultural Heritage site.
*Crowds at the Night View of the Shanghai Bund.
Past and Present of Buildings🏠
The No.1 building, Located at what is now the headquarters of China Pacific Insurance Company, the building was originally called the Asia Building and was constructed in 1913. It served as the office for the British-owned Asiatic Petroleum Company in Shanghai. Once known as the “tallest building on the Bund,” it features a Baroque design at both its lower and upper sections, while the middle portion exhibits modernist architectural elements, making it the oldest high-rise building in Shanghai.
The No.2 building, Currently known as the Dongfeng Hotel, this building was once the most luxurious club in Shanghai—the Shanghai Club, often referred to as the “Oriental London.” Its design drew inspiration from British classicism and also took cues from Japan’s Imperial Hotel. The triangular-shaped elevator was manufactured by Siemens and has been in service for over 90 years. Inside, there’s a 110-foot-long bar, said to be the longest bar in the Far East.
The No.3 building. Now named the Union Building, this structure was originally owned by the American Union Bank. Built in 1916, it was the first steel-structured building in Shanghai, with steel materials sourced from Germany.
The No.5 building, Currently owned by Huaxia Bank, this building originally housed the Japanese Nisshin Corporation and was built in 1921. Its façade, made of granite, is a blend of modern Western and classical Japanese architectural styles.
The No.6 building, Now belonging to Hong Kong’s Kerry Properties, the building was once the headquarters of the Chinese Commercial Bank. Its exterior is clad in granite, reflecting the Gothic Revival style of British architecture from the late 19th to early 20th centuries, typical of the Bund’s buildings from that period.
The No.7 building, Currently home to the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Shanghai and Bangkok Bank, this building was originally built in 1907 as the office of the Great Northern Telegraph Company. Built in 1901, this building was the headquarters of the China Merchants Steam Navigation Company, with an investment of 2.2 million silver taels by Sheng Xuanhuai.
*Shanghai Bund and the Oriental Pearl Tower.
*Golden Buildings in the Night View of the Shanghai Bund.
Iconic Buildings🔮
Many of the Bund’s historic buildings have undergone renovations, but their original styles have been preserved. In 1992, before the National Day, the first phase of the Bund’s comprehensive renovation was completed. Today’s Bund floodwall is a gallery-style structure, standing 6.9 meters tall and 15.4 meters wide, capable of withstanding a thousand-year flood.
Inside the floodwall, 300 cars can be parked, while the top features green spaces and a pedestrian walkway along the river. The roadway has been widened to double its previous size, offering 10 lanes for traffic. The Bund remains a popular tourist attraction, where visitors can admire the “World Expo of Architecture,” the graceful Waibaidu Bridge, the exquisite Huangpu Park, the ingenious floodwall design, and the stunning view of buildings mirrored by the waters of the Huangpu River.
Street Overview⛳
The most striking features, aside from the businesses and activities, are the architectural styles and the decoration of the streetscape. The buildings along the Bund are individually styled, creating a unique collage effect. The neoclassical facades and Baroque gable walls are a vivid mix of British, Italian, French, and Spanish influences.
For instance, the eclecticism of the Wheelock building, the new Baroque style of the Huiluo Building, the alternating red and white walls of the Central Hotel, and the Art Deco design of Sassoon House with its green dome are all distinctive examples of diverse architectural styles.
Road Surface🚕
The surface of the street is an important part of the urban landscape. Over the past century, the Bund’s roads have evolved from dirt paths to coal slag, from ironwood bricks to asphalt, and from concrete to stone tiles. These changes in materials reflect the passage of time. The road’s alignment has shifted from straight to curved, and the skyline of the streets has transitioned from flat to undulating.
Buildings have evolved from primarily two-story structures to those over six stories tall. The space ratio between building height and street width has also changed dramatically. Early roads were approximately 6 meters wide, but they expanded to 12 meters, with buildings growing taller over time. In some cases, the ratio of building height to street width reached as much as 3:1.
Decoration
In addition to the buildings and road surfaces, other elements such as street lamps, signage, banners, logos, and advertisements contribute to the overall streetscape. In the Bund area, European-style street décor was predominant, with shop signs carefully regulated in their placement and size.
New Art Movement-style iron flower lamps were particularly popular. In other areas, traditional Chinese décor was more common, with shop banners often spanning across the street and signs and advertisements displayed prominently. The overall effect created a lively stage-like atmosphere.
Classic Statues🚩
Sculptures, as permanent urban records in bronze and stone, tell the story of a city. The statues mentioned in this article may no longer exist, but they were real. These statues often symbolized the “conquest” and possession of a territory, commemorating victories.
Though most of these monuments have been destroyed, their remnants remind us of their once undeniable presence. Even a single remaining stone fragment is enough to affirm that they existed, that they played a part in the city’s history.
*Giant LED Screen at the Shanghai Bund.
*Stunning Nightscape of Mirrored Buildings at the Shanghai Bund.
Ever Victorious Army Monument🗽
The Ever Victorious Army, founded by American Frederick Townsend Ward, was a mercenary military force that fought for the Qing Dynasty against the Taiping Rebellion. The unit was eventually disbanded by British officer Charles Gordon due to dissatisfaction with Li Hongzhang. On the southern side of Waibaidu Bridge in the Bund, there was a monument erected by Li Hongzhang to commemorate the soldiers of the Ever Victorious Army who died during battles against the Taiping Army in Jiangsu Province between 1862 and 1864.
The monument, known as the “Ward Monument,” was originally located outside the north gate of the Bund Garden and later moved inside the garden when the park walls were expanded. The monument featured a square marble base with a triangular obelisk, inscribed with the Chinese characters “Victory” and the names of 48 foreign soldiers who died in battle, with Ward’s name at the top.
Frederick Townsend Ward was an adventurous American who had previously participated in expeditions to South America and served in the French army during the Crimean War. He arrived in China in 1859 and later in Shanghai, where he was invited to serve as second-in-command on the Qing naval ship Confucius.
Red Stone Monument 🖼️
As victors in the war, British expatriates in Shanghai erected a cross-shaped “Red Stone Monument” on the Bund, marking their past acts of aggression. This is the only surviving physical relic on the Bund from the colonial era. Following the opening of Shanghai as a treaty port under the 1843 Treaty of
Nanjing, the city transformed into an international trade hub. The British were the first to establish a concession in Shanghai and built the first monument, known as the Red Stone Monument, or “Cross Monument.” Though its official name was “Cross Monument on British Consular Grounds,” the Chinese referred to it as the Red Stone Monument. It was erected in the early 1860s outside the British consulate at No. 33 on the Bund.
The Red Stone Monument was built during the Second Opium War to commemorate the British soldiers captured and killed by Chinese forces, who had been part of an expedition led by Harry Parkes to meet Qing officials. The British and French forces later retaliated by marching on Beijing, forcing the release of Parkes while several of his men were killed.
Statue of Robert Hart👨🦰
Robert Hart, a British national from Northern Ireland, served as Inspector General of China’s Imperial Maritime Customs for 48 years. He played a significant role in negotiating foreign treaties on behalf of the Qing Dynasty and helped establish China’s modern postal system. A statue of Hart was erected outside the Customs House on the Bund in recognition of his contributions.
The statue gained prominence not because of its design, but due to Hart’s long tenure in China and the high-ranking honors he received, including the rare privilege of being awarded a top-level official hatpin by the Qing court. Hart’s reforms at Chinese customs helped raise revenues significantly by curbing smuggling. Despite his contributions, he also used his influence to further British and other foreign interests, including his involvement in the transfer of Macau’s sovereignty to Portugal.
Peace Goddess Statue🗽
In February 1924, a statue of the Peace Goddess was erected on the Bund near Edouard Road to commemorate the end of World War I. Unlike New York’s Statue of Liberty, the Peace Goddess faced away from the water, her back visible to those arriving by sea. She was designed to convey compassion, with one hand comforting a war orphan and the other poised to soothe a grieving mother who had lost her son in the war. Her poignant posture attracted tributes from people of all nationalities, but in 1941, Japanese occupying forces dismantled the statue and melted it down for ammunition.
The Peace Goddess statue was one of the largest memorials on the Bund at the time and was part of the European War Memorial. Erected to honor soldiers who left Shanghai and died in the war, it stood near the weather signal station along the Huangpu River. The memorial consisted of a massive granite base topped by a bronze statue of the Victory Goddess, flanked by two angels symbolizing peace.
Surrounding the base were the coats of arms or flags of Allied nations, including China, who had declared war on the Central Powers. The names of soldiers who had departed from Shanghai and perished in the war were engraved on the monument. It was unveiled on February 16, 1924, with British Consul General Phayre presiding over the ceremony.
*HSBC Building at the Shanghai Bund.
*Night Cruise on the Yangtze River at the Shanghai Bund.
The Tide of the Huangpu
Inside the southern gate of Huangpu Park stands The Tide of the Huangpu, a large bronze statue depicting a towering worker raising a sail to brave the incoming waves. The dynamic design captures the courage and strength of the working class as they face challenges head-on, symbolizing the immense power and fearless spirit of the proletariat. The statue is a tribute to the shining achievements of Shanghai’s working class in the revolutionary and construction endeavors.