The Bund, Shanghai

　　The Bund, also called Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu (East Zhongshan 1st Road), is a famous waterfront and regarded as the symbol of Shanghai for hundreds of years. It is on the west bank of Huangpu River from the Waibaidu Bridge to Nanpu Bridge and winds 1500 meters (0.93 mile) in length. The most famous and attractive sight which is at the west side of the Bund are the 26 various buildings of different architectural styles including Gothic, Baroque, Romanesque, Classicism and the Renaissance. The 1,700-meters (1,859 yards) long flood-control wall, known as 'the lovers' wall', located on the side of Huangpu River from Huangpu Park to Xinkai River and once was the most romantic corner in Shanghai in the last century. After renovation, the monotone concrete buildings that lovers leaned against in the past have been improved into hollowed-out railings full of romantic atmosphere. Standing by the railings, visitors can have a 'snap-shot' view of the scenery of Pudong Area and Huangpu River.

　　History

　　Before the 1840s, the Bund was a muddy narrow lane with tall reeds. It initially became a British settlement. After Shanghai was established as the trading port in 1846, a street was paved there and the riversides were reinforced. Then, rows of commercial buildings were constructed. As the UK Concession, a building boom at the end of 19th century and beginning of 20th century led to the Bund becoming a major financial hub of East Asia. It was the centre of the city's politics, economy and culture more than a hundred years ago, consulates of most countries and many banks, businesses and newspaper offices were settled there, and that's why we have these art-like buildings.

　　In the late 1970s and early 1980s, with the thawing of economic policy in the People's Republic of China, buildings on the Bund were gradually returned to their former uses. Government institutions were moved out in favor of financial institutions, while hotels resumed trading as such.

　　In the 1990s the Shanghai government attempted to promote an extended concept of the Bund to boost tourism and land values in nearby areas, as well as to reconcile the promotion of 'colonial relics' with Socialist ideology. From 2008, a major reconfiguration of traffic flow along the Bund was carried out. After a 33-month upgrade, the Bund was reopened to visitors on March 28, 2010. The veil on the new Bund was finally lifted.

　　After the reconstruction, most transit vehicles which originally got through the ground level roads began to make their way through the new underground tunnel. The original eleven driveways on the Bund ground were compressed into four two-way lanes. Thus more space was left for expending the four major squares: Huangpu Park, Chen Yi Square, the Bund Financial Square, and the Observatory Plaza. After being reconstructed, the new Bund waterfront is neat and atmospheric. The public activity space is expansive embracing more visitors.

　　The Bund has been called a 'museum of international architecture' and indeed it was and still is. But it was also much more. Here were located the banks, hotels, exclusive clubs, press organizations and headquarters of international concerns. The twenty-six major structures, of various heights along approximately 1.5 kilometers of Zhongshan Lu and the Huangpu River, have changed little externally since the 1930s. All were constructed in western-inspired styles. After the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949 the old tenants were gone. They had already been impacted by the wartime crises. Many of the structures were subdivided into government offices, department stores or storage areas. Furnishings were sold off or destroyed, and architectural features covered.

　　City Sculptures

　　Near the Nanjing Road intersection stands what is currently the only bronze statue along the Bund, a statue of Chen Yi who was the first Communist mayor of Shanghai. At the northern end, along the riverfront, is Huangpu Park, in which is situated the Monument to the People's Heroes - a tall, abstract concrete tower which is a memorial for those died during the revolutionary struggle for Shanghai dating back to the Opium Wars. As the victor of the war, the British nationals in the Bund put up a 'cross' to mark their 'aggression' which is the Red Rock Monument. On the south side of the Bund Garden Bridge stands an Ever Victorious Army Monument, which was funded by Li Hongzhang to commemorate the officers and soldiers of the Victorious Army who died in the battles against the Taiping Army from 1862 to 1864. Located in front of Shanghai Custom House at Jiujiang Road, the statue Hart was regarded as the most famous statue in Shanghai history. Hurt, British Northern Irishman, had served as Secretary General of Chinese Customs up to 48 years. Another famous sculpture is the World War Monument which was the largest one in the city at that time. It was made to commemorate the soldiers who died in the World War I coming from Shanghai.

　　Night View

　　It is worth a visit to see the florid night view of the Bund. Under the tenet of keeping harmony and unity, the use of period lamp-posts is in keeping with the aesthetic feeling of the building structures. It fully exhibits the magnificence of the various buildings of different architectural styles and make up of the best night scene of Shanghai together with the colorful lights floating in the river and the flashing lights on the far side of the river. The night piece of the Bund was named in 'Shanghai top ten night light views' in 2009.

　　Further reading: Huangpu River Cruise

　　Tip: There is an eco-friendly mobile charging system with solar photovoltaic power generation at the photography point of the Bund scenic area. It can provide the power of the computer for photographers to print the photos, as well as mobile phone emergency charging service for visitors.

Buildings with distinctive features erect on both sides of the street, huge signboards and advertisements show prosperity, and when the night falls, dazzling neon lights flicker with bright colors----this is the so called “No.1 Business Street of China”. As one of the most famous shopping centers of the world, Nanjing Street not only has numerous famous shops, but also a long history.

　　Shanghai is the most prosperous city in mainland of China, the Nanjing Road in the most luxury street in Shanghai. Nanjing Street is a comprehensive shopping center which integrates tourism, business and culture together. The street is paved with colorful bricks and stones, with wooden benches, telephone boxes, and parterres scatter along the street. The 1599 meter long street is decorated with flowers and statues. Among the stores on the side of the street, there are many famous ones such as Hengdali, Zhang Xiaoquan and Hengyuanxiang.

　　The history of Nanjing Road can be traced back to the year 1851. At that time it was called “Park Lane”, which comes from the Bund to He’nan Road. In 1854, it was extended to Zhejiang Road, and eight years later, once more extended to Xizang Road. In 1865, it was named formally “Nanking Road” by the Municipal Council, which administered the International Settlement. In Chinese it was usually referred to as the Main Road (literally Great Horse Road). In 1943 the International Settlement was annulled, and after World war Two the government changed its name from Nanking Road to East-Nanjing Road, meanwhile named the former Bubbling Well Road West－Nanjing Road, and give a general name of the two roads-Nanjing Road, which has a total length of five kilometers.

　　As early as in the beginning of 20th century, eight big department stores were established along the street one after another. A series of franchised stores were set up at that time.

　　In 2000, as a part of the development plan held by the local government, Nanjing Road was reconstructed to be a characteristic pedestrian street. With the development of over one hundred years, the Nanjing Road becomes the must-see place of tourists and it also shows the bustling Shanghai with charm and glamour.

　　Luxury Stores

　　Over 600 businesses on the road provide numerous famous brands of superior quality and latest fashions. KFC, McDonald's, Pizza Hut, and other world-famous food vendors line both sides of the street. High-end stores include Tiffany, Mont Blanc, and Dunhill. In addition, about a hundred traditional stores and specialty shops still provide choice silk goods, jade, embroidery, wool, and clocks. Open-air bars, abstract sculptures, and lingering sounds from street musicians enhance evening strolls. All these stores are famous ones in China and over the world. At night, numerous and colorful neon lights sparkle in the darkness, making the street extremely charming and dreamlike.

　　Prestigious Nameplate

　　Almost everyone who came to Nanjing road will take a photo at the front of the nameplate. In busy festivals, you even need to queue for a long time to have the chance, stand, smile and post in front of the camera. Why? Of course, because of it is the most famous shopping area in China. What’s more important, the characters were written by former president of China, Jiang Zemin. It is unusual for a president to make an inscription for a commercial place. Maybe the Nanjing Road really has such fame and status, or maybe partly because President Jiang was a college student in Shanghai.

　　A Different Scene

　　In many people’s opinion, a shopping street will always be full of crowds, material, commercial and modern. However, if you get up early and came to Nanjing Road in the morning, you will surprisingly find it total different scenery: shops along the street are all closed; only the dustman is busy with cleaning. In the street, the residents are dancing to the music, playing badminton, practicing Taichi etc. It is more like a park rather than a shopping area. This is another charming side of the street.

Following Shanghai Tower and Shanghai World Financial Center, Jinmao Tower is third tallest building and prominent landmark in Shanghai, which locates at Liujiazui financial area of Pudong District. Covering 2.4 hectares, 420.5 meters high with 88 storeys on the ground. 

The world's fastest elevator will take 45 seconds to the top. Touring the Jinmao Tower, appreciate fantastic city landscape and beautiful scenery along the Huangpu River, enjoy the beautiful sunset or spectacular night scene of this bustling financial center at the sightseeing hall on the 88th floors.

There is a glass path outside of the sightseeing hall, 340.6 meters high, 60 meters long, 1.2 meters wide. It's the highest skywalk without the guardrail. If you look down, you might be vertiginous and a little bit scary.

From 53rd to 87th floor, there is the most luxurious hotels-Shanghai Grand Hyatt, which is the highest hotel in the world. In the center of the lobby, the corridors look stunning under the reflection of colorful neon lights. Looking down from the sightseeing hall for the hotel, it seems like a time tunnel.