waistband

Shanghai, a city with humble origins as a fishing village, has been transformed into a modern and bustling metropolis that brings together international interests not only for foreign trade, since Shanghai hosted the 2010 World Expo, but also attracts the interest of international travelers looking to Shanghai as a great vacation spot. You can expect great sightseeing, relaxation in top-tier luxury hotels, a plethora of signature dining experiences, if you dare to be adventurous, and best of all, incredible shopping. As they say, “you have to see it to believe it”; Travelers beware, when you set foot in Shanghai, you are looking at a microcosm of China’s future developments!

Arrive at the Bund and you will see the sparkling waters of the Huangpu River, where people gather to enjoy the most incredible view of both historic architecture and modern skyscrapers, and at the same time experience the lives of local people doing Tai Chi in the park or playing Chinese checkers in the park. Continue along the boardwalk and your eyes will feast on the incredible architecture with styles ranging from: Neo-Renaissance, French Baroque, Classical, and Art Nouveau. The history of the Bund dates back to when the British first established their banks and trading houses there and created a European landscape for the area. However, during the Chinese civil war, many financial investors moved on; It was not until the last 2 decades that the Bund was re-established as Shanghai’s financial district, home to many financial companies. In 2008, Shanghai undertook a major reconstruction of the Bund to make it more tourist-friendly, and it was officially opened to the public on March 28, 2010.

While you’re on the Bund, there are a few key places you should visit:

1. Colonial-era buildings: Peace Hotel, former Hong Kong Bank, former Shanghai Bank, former Shanghai Club, now the Waldorf Astoria hotel

2. Bund History Museum (free admission; hours are 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.)

3. Huangpu Gong Yuan – Built in 1868, it was formerly the British Public Garden

4. Bund Tourist Tunnel: Takes you from the Bund (Puxi) to the Oriental Pearl Tower

5. Oriental Pearl Tower – Spectacular views, restaurants and recreation

6. Statue of Chen Yi – Shanghai’s First Major (1901-1972)

7. Bund Night View – Be sure to stop at one of the many restaurants along the Bund and enjoy the night view with a cocktail.

8. Huangpu River Cruise: Located at East Jinling Road Ferry Dock (Puxi) or Dongchang Road Ferry Doc (Pudong), you’ll find cruise ships that take you down the Yangtze River.