The Bund Shanghai

The Bund is a promenade of about a mile and a half along the west bank of the Huangpu River, lined with stately banks, hotels and trading houses from the early 20th century, when Shanghai was Asia’s great commercial city. Across the water, the Pudong skyline rises in a cluster of towers including the Oriental Pearl Tower and the 632-metre Shanghai Tower.

Walk the promenade by day, then return in the evening when the old buildings are floodlit and the Pudong towers flash with colour. A river cruise shows both sides at once, and the Shanghai Tower’s observation deck looks down on the whole city.

The lights come on at dusk, and weekends are busy. Nanjing Road, Shanghai’s famous shopping street, starts right behind the Bund.