| The Bund—Shanghai’s prominent waterfront promenade—is a must-see for travelers to China’s most dynamic metropolis. Visiting the Bund is an unforgettable experience that provides a window into the history and modern ascension of the world’s third largest city. The Bund, also known as Waitan (外滩 Wàitān), is a protected, historical waterfront area in Shanghai, China, that measures 1.5 km long. It runs along the eastern section of Zhongshan Road (中山路 Zhōngshānlù), which borders the western banks of the Huangpu River.  History of the Bund During the colonial period, the Western powers made various attempts to dominate China and open the country to trade and Western settlement. China under the Qing dynasty government resisted. After losing the First Opium War to the British in 1842, however, China was forced to open up five of its major ports, including Shanghai, to foreign trade. As a result, the British were granted the right to settle along the Huangpu River where the Bund is today. In 1863, the British and the Americans worked together to establish the International Settlement, which saw the Bund grow further. Between the 1860’s and 1930’s, the Bund was the most government-protected foreign establishment in the whole of Shanghai. In the late 19th century, British colonial style and neoclassical buildings were built along the Bund. The early 20th century saw the additional construction of buildings housing offices of many important financial institutions on the Bund. These included the Hong Kong Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) and the Imperial Bank of China (the first Chinese-owned bank in Shanghai). Today, the Bund features a host of historical Western-style buildings built in a variety of architectural styles. What makes the Bund famous? The Bund is famous for being home to 52 historical Western-style buildings which date from the late 19th to early 20th centuries. These buildings include representative examples of various architectural styles like Romanesque, Baroque, Gothic, Renaissance, and Neoclassical Revival. This collection of iconic buildings includes the Asia Building, which once housed the offices of the Asiatic Petroleum Company; the Union Building, which initially housed multiple insurance companies but is now a shopping complex; and the old HSBC Building, which is now home to the Shanghai Pudong Development Bank. Overall, the 52 historical buildings along the Bund serve as a reminder of the role of Western colonial influence in the city’s history and development. Today, these buildings are a living museum and collectively, they make up one of the most visited destinations for travelers in China. |
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