After having lived in China for three years, including one year in Shanghai, I wrote down all the things to do near the Bund (also known as Waitan) that I love the most.
So without further ado, here are my recommendations on the top 15 things to do in Shanghai near the Bund!
Top Things To Do Near The Bund
The Bund is honestly my favorite spot in Shanghai. I like it so much because it changes completely throughout the day: in the morning people exercise, in the afternoon the Bund is filled with tourists, in the evening the light show starts, and at night it’s this quiet place where you only hear the sounds of the river.
Planning your stay near the Bund?
Here is an overview of all available hotels
1. Go to the northern end of the Bund to see Chicago-style buildings
Every time I show photos of the Bund to my friends, they’re like, “Is this Shanghai?!” Shanghai is mainly known for the huge skyscrapers, but that’s actually only on the ‘Pudong’ side of the river!
When you walk along the Bund waterfront on the left side of the Huangpu River, you’ll find mostly European/Western architectural styles from the early 20th centuries, and in excellent condition, too.
A friend of mine from the US described it as a Chicago vibe when I showed him this photo below.
So go check out the northern end of the Bund, it’s also much quieter there, and you’ll get an even better panoramic view of the river because you can look all the way to the end of both sides. The Waibaidu Bridge, which you can see below, is the best location to see the full view of the place.
2. Dive into the alleys for a more authentic experience
The most famous street close to the Bund is Nanjing Road which is Shanghai’s busiest shopping street. But it is really worth it to dive into the side streets and alleys.
Besides all the huge impressive buildings along the Bund, you’ll see more local residential places, which are just such a fantastic contrast; Clothes are hanging to dry, old folks playing games on the street, and locals just minding their business while the most crowded attraction in Shanghai is just less than 100 meters away.
3. Eat Xiao Long Bao
You can’t visit the Bund in Shanghai and not try the real Shanghai soup dumplings! This is probably the most essential Shanghai must-do on any food lover’s list when planning a trip to Shanghai.
Just avoid the super touristy spots right on the Bund waterfront, they’re not that good. Walk a few blocks away from the main promenade and you’ll find local spots where the xiao long bao are freshly made, hot, and actually worth it.
Be careful with the first bite, the soup can splash out, and it might be hot.
This restaurants Lai Lai one is my favorite, it is about 25 minutes walking from The Bund (but worth it!).
4. Explore Yu Garden and Yu Bazaar
Yu Garden is actually a pretty cool area to see and one of the most well known nearby attractions. I know most blogs say that it is very touristy, but what they don’t mention is that those tourists are 99% local Chinese tourists from all over China. It’s just fascinating to see so many locals from various backgrounds exploring this open air museum.
The bazaar around is also touristy in a local kind of way, but it’s fun to walk through. You’ll see everything from traditional crafts to weird souvenirs.
I wrote a more in-depth guide about the Yu Garden so you can find out if Yu Garden is worth visiting.
(Tldr; Yes it is, it’s cheap, and it’s like 15 minutes walking from the Bund)
5. Walk down Shanghai Old Street
Close to Yu Garden is Shanghai Old Street. It’s cool to see traditional architecture, and there are some decent restaurants and tea houses. There’s a museum as well with various architectural styles.
6. People watching at the bund in Shanghai
This might sound boring, but trust me, just sit on the steps by the river and watch the crowds.
You’ll see wedding photographers doing shoots with the view of the Bund skyline in the background, live streamers trying to get the perfect shot (they have their personal cameraman with them!), tourists taking selfies, and locals just going about their day.
It’s like free entertainment and honestly one of my favorite Shanghai experiences. The live streamers are especially funny to watch, they get so dramatic for their audience, and before you know it, you’re in their live stream seen by millions of Chinese!
7. Watch locals doing morning exercises along the Bund
Talking about people-watching, The Bund is also a great place for locals to do their morning exercises. If you wake up early, you can walk along the Bund promenade and watch the locals practicing tai chi, which is a really cool thing to do in the Bund.
8. Shopping on Nanjing Road
It’s super touristy but also kind of fun in an overwhelming way. Shanghai’s busiest shopping street is completely full of people, and there are pop-up stores and events happening all the time. You’ll find everything from high-end shopping malls to street vendors. I found this cool pop-up selling limited edition sneakers that was only there for like a week. Even if you don’t buy anything, the people watching are incredible. (And don’t forget to check out the alleys)
Here’s a complete 1-hour long walk, through Shanghai’s busiest street, Nanjing Road:
9. Take a ferry to the Pudong side over Huangpu river
When you’ve seen everything you wanted to see at the Bund, taking the ferry across the Huangpu River to the other side is a really fun experience and the best way to appreciate both sides of central Shanghai. First of all, it’s super cheap, it is around 0,30 dollar cents if you go on foot.
You get to see the most historic side from a different angle, which is pretty cool and provides an opportunity to see the scenery from the water.
Plus, the Pudong side is quieter, and there are lots of restaurants that are a bit more accessible than restaurants at the Bund side. At the bund side, you’ll kind of have to really look for them, while at the other side, it is very clear what it has to offer. It’s a bit less authentic but just a bit more convenient.
10. Go up the Shanghai Tower
While you’re there, go up the Shanghai Tower! Seriously, the view is insane. I know it’s touristy, but honestly, it’s worth every penny and should be on everyone’s Shanghai tour bucket list. This is the tallest building in China, offering incredible panoramic views and is truly a building in the world that stands out.
The elevator ride alone is an experience. Once you’re up there, you can see the full view of the Bund and the entire city in every direction, including the Oriental Pearl TV Tower and the sprawling Lujiazui financial district. The Bund looks tiny from up there, which gives you a crazy perspective on how massive Shanghai actually is. The view is amazing, and it’s definitely one of those fun things Shanghai offers. This is the best viewing spots for the Shanghai skyline.
11. Check out the Pudong Financial District
When you get down from Shanghai Tower, Just walk around and check out all these insane modern skyscrapers. The architecture is pretty wild, you’ve got the ‘bottle opener building’, the Shanghai Tower that twists as it goes up, the Jin Mao Tower, and all these other weird shapes.
The Oriental Pearl is probably the most iconic building of Shanghai. It feels like you’re in a sci-fi movie, and it’s definitely one of the best Shanghai sightseeing activities. Plus, there are tons of good food courts in the basements of these huge buildings.
You could also visit the Aquarium, which is perhaps not a must-do, but it is definitely an impressive experience and great for kids.
If you’re looking for a place to stay close to the Financial District, the IFC Residence is just incredible and more affordable than most other hotels in the area.
12. Have Dinner at The Fellas or Captain’s to watch the light show at night
These two restaurants have perfect views of the light show that happens every night (6 pm to 10 pm). The food is actually delicious, too. I’ve been to The Fellas countless times. It’s honestly pretty spectacular and one of the world’s most impressive light shows.
For instance, in Dubai there is a famous big light show, but this one in Shanghai just blows it out of the water. Just book the restaurant ahead because everyone wants those window or outdoor seats with the best view of the Bund. You can make a reservation through their contact details on their Instagram page.
13. Eat Hotpot
Hotpot is a very famous Chinese dish and a way of preparing food. If you’ve never tried it, it’s basically a soup (you can choose a flavor, or two) where you put meat and vegetables in. When whatever you’ve thrown in is done, you scoop it out and eat it.
Chongqing Gaolaojiu Hot Pot is really good and overall a fun experience. You can order noodles as well, and they will perform a ‘noodle show’ where the waiter will throw around the noodles! It’s a bit touristy, but why not? It’s fun!
14. Drinks at a rooftop bar
There are tons of rooftop bars open in Shanghai at night around the Bund area. My favorite is this place called Flair – it’s on the 58th floor and you feel like you’re floating above the city. Yeah, it’s expensive, but where else can you sip a cocktail while looking down at one of the world’s most famous skylines?
If you walk along the Bund in the evening, you’ll see that some spots are more crowded than others; there will most likely be an event or a famous rooftop bar open.
The things is, Shanghai changes very fast, one year a rooftop bar is popular and then a few months later it’s gone. Moreover, many events are announced at the last minute or just in the coming week, unlike in my home country, where events are announced half a year in advance. Shanghai is just a city with a fast pace, so try to have a look around in the evening, ask at the restaurants what a great rooftop bar is, or check out Smart Shanghai for rooftop bars close to the Bund.
15. The Bund late at night
The Bund completely transforms in Shanghai at night after the light show. All tourists, locals, and foreigners leave, and it becomes a quiet and peaceful area. I’ve been here many times at night when I couldn’t sleep well.
Although my house was about 30 minutes away by scooter, sometimes I just drove there at 1 am, got a soda at one of the 24-hour open convenience stores, and just sat down on a bench, watched the view of Shanghai, and listened to the sounds of the river.
Especially these kinds of moments aren’t something you would experience on a typical Shanghai tour. It’s the most relaxed thing you can do in Shanghai at the Bund.
Which attractions to skip close to the Bund
Bund Sightseeing Tunnel: It’s this weird underground tunnel with cheesy lights and sounds that’s supposed to be futuristic but just feels dated. Total tourist trap. Just take the ferry instead.
Xiao long bao that’s been sitting too long: Like I said, if you see dumplings just sitting there getting cold and wrinkly, skip them. You’ll find these mostly at Nanjing Road at the food courts.
Go for fresh ones, they are way better. Don’t be afraid to wait a few minutes for the good stuff.
Huangpu River cruise: Personally, I think you can skip the river cruise during the day. Just take the ferry to the other side, which is so cheap, enjoy the view from the ferry, and walk along the Huangpu River on the other side. Plus, you’ll also have to take the ferry back (who knew!) So you’ll go over the river twice anyway. Unless you take a taxi, of course.
A river cruise in the evening from 6 pm in the winter or 7 pm in the summer will be worth it tho, since that is when the light show starts.
Best Hotels Near the Bund + Map
I’ve stayed at three different hotels that are close to the Bund:
Waldorf Astoria: Absolutely incredible place, right at the Bund. Not as expensive as the W hotel, and you’re right at the center of The Bund. The interior is a bit more classic in style, but it really fits the European-style buildings.
The famous Fairmont Peace Hotel is also nearby for a classic Shanghai experience. The interior is a bit outdated but that’s part of the long history of the hotel.
Campanile: Probably the place where you get the best value for your money in Shanghai. Nothing fancy, but a great location, and I always had a good experience there. It’s within walking distance of the Bund (a nice scenic walk through some local streets), and it is very affordable.
W Hotel: Expensive, but the views are insane, and the whole interior is, as always, very unique. The W hotels are more of a treat for one night, unless you have a lot of money to spend.
Tip: You can also go for the Blackstone M+ Hotel. It’s not at the Bund, it’s at the heart of the French Concession. But it is right next to the only direct subway line that goes straight to the Bund!
If you’re coming from Hongqiao Airport, this one is perfect. Take line 10, get off at Shaanxi South Road Station to walk to the hotel. It’s the same line that goes to The Bund.
This is a great way to see a bit more of Shanghai with minimal effort.
For a complete overview, here is an interactive map with all available and up-to-date hotels near the Bund:
Best Time to Visit the Bund
Honestly, any time is a great time to visit the Bund (except golden week, which is the first week of October, just avoid China overall)
Spring (Mar-May): 14-22°C, pleasant but some rain
Summer (Jun-Aug): 27-34°C, hot, humid, rainy season June-July, but nothing too crazy, and rain showers are very short
Autumn (Sep-Nov): 18-25°C, perfect weather, less rain
Winter (Dec-Feb): 2-12°C, cold and damp but way fewer crowds
Morning: Quiet, people exercise and practice Tai Chi.
Afternoon: Filled with tourists until the evening
Night: it’s a quiet place where you can listen to the sounds of the river.
How to get there
Shanghai is a super convenient city. On a Saturday evening, there will be traffic jams, but overall, traffic is pretty smooth.
Taking a taxi is the easiest and fastest way to get to the Bund. You can pay in cash, or if you have connected your foreign credit card, pay with Alipay (pronounced in China as “chifubao”).
You can also take the Shanghai Metro to East Nanjing Road Station on Line 2 or Line 10. It’s just a 5-10 minute walk from there to the waterfront area. Especially if you’re coming from Hongqiao airport (which I highly recommend because the other one, Pudong Airport, is much further from the city), taking the subway is the best option because Line 10 goes directly to the Bund.
Where is the Bund?
The Bund is on the left side of the river that goes through Shanghai. The exact address is: Zhongshan Rd (E-1), Waitan, Huang Pu Qu, Shang Hai Shi, China, 200002
Final thoughts on visiting the Bund
The Bund is a must-visit for its impressive buildings, the large number of local tourists from all over China, and the locals living on the streets. The things to do at the Bund in Shanghai in this travel guide are the little Shanghai adventures I love most. It will give you the perfect mix of touristy highlights and authentic local experiences around the Bund.
Check out my other comprehensive Shanghai travel guide if you’re looking for more things to do in Shanghai.
I hope this guide will help you make the most of your trip!
F.A.Q.
Why is the Bund important?
It’s Shanghai’s most iconic waterfront and represents the city’s transformation from its colonial past to the modern city it is today. The Bund features historic buildings from institutions like the Bank of China and Imperial Bank of China.
It’s famous because it’s got many historic European buildings on one side and futuristic skyscrapers on the other, making it a true symbol of Shanghai. The various architectural styles showcase the history of the Bund and make it a view no other city has. The Waitan (外滩) is truly unique.
How to get to the Bund?
East Nanjing Road Station on the Shanghai Metro (Line 2 or Line 10) – about a 5-10 minute walk. The subway system in Shanghai is excellent for getting around.
Where to eat at the Bund?
The Fellas is my favorite restaurant at the Bund.
Where is the Bund sightseeing tunnel?
Nope, skip it, take the ferry instead!
Can you run along the Bund?
Yes! In fact, to the south side of the Bund there is a great park to run along the water.
Can you walk across the Bund?
Nope, you’ll have to take a taxi or the ferry.
When does the Bund light up?
6 pm, in the winter, 7pm in summer.
How to pronounce the Bund in Chinese?
You pronounce it like “Wai-tan” (外滩), which sounds like “why-tan”
Where is the Bund bull?
Right here close to Nanjing road.
