Shanghai Bund Architecture Walk: From Bund Source to Shiliupu

World Travel Editorial · 2026-09-09 · 6 min read

This Shanghai Bund Architecture Walk: From Bund Source to Shiliupu is a practical guide for first-time visitors. Follow the route section by section rather than trying to cover everything at once.

The Bund is a waterfront area and a protected historical district in central Shanghai. The area centers on a section of Zhongshan Road within the former Shanghai International Settlement, which runs along the western bank of the Huangpu River in the eastern part of Huangpu. The area along the river faces the modern skyscrapers of Lujiazui in Pudong. The Bund usually refers to the buildings and wharves on this section of the road, as well as some adjacent areas. This region has a significant European influence, with the style of many structures most comparable to that of European cities, particularly Gothic, Baroque, Neoclassical, Romanesque, Art Deco, and Renaissance architecture. Additionally, some of the city's top eateries are located there. From the 1860s to the 1930s, it was the rich and powerful center of the foreign establishment in Shanghai, operating as a legally protected treaty port.

Itinerary summary

Suggested time: 2-3 hours (not including tower/building entry)
Bund Source: former British Consulate and surrounding heritage buildings
Central: Customs House, Peace Hotel, Bank of China — classic Art Deco
Shiliupu: signal station and old dock area

How to plan your visit

Below is a section-by-section walk; skip or extend sections to suit your schedule. Check the 'Practical info' section before you set out.

The Bund (Waitan)

Address: Zhongshan East 1st Road, Huangpu District

Practical info

Entry: the Bund promenade is free; towers such as Oriental Pearl / Shanghai Tower charge separately
Transport: Metro Line 2 / Line 10 to East Nanjing Road; ferry to Lujiazui is walkable
Best time: early morning 6-8 am (quiet, soft light) or evening 18-21 (after lights)
Hop-on sightseeing buses stop along Zhongshan East 1st Road