Shanghai & Nanjing 6 - 15 Sep 2008 (Part 6) - The Bund by Day and Night 上海外滩
Not to missed in Shanghai is the "architecture museum" that constitutes the Shanghai Bund. One excellent way to enjoy the scenery is to take a ferry from Pudong Dongchang Road Ferry Terminal (东昌路轮渡) costing only 2Y. The ferry crosses the Huangpu River (黄浦江) with excellent views of the bund on one side and the Pudong New Area(浦东新区) of the other. Pudong essentially means the east of the Huangpu River whereas the side where the bund is located is known as Puxi (浦西). There are a few tunnels that span the river, two for road vehicles and one for the MRT. There is also a walking tunnel for tourists but I decided to give that one a miss after hearing it is very touristy.
The end point of the ferry tour is the Jinling East Road Ferry Terminal (金陵东路轮渡) and the first tower building is the Bund Museum that is free of charge. Not very big place with some photo exhibits. The bund proper include many old colonial style buildings. They serve as a remembrance of the semi-colonial period following the Nanjing Treaty that opened Shanghai for western trade. Buildings such as the Customs House (海关大楼), Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank (汇丰银行) and the Peace Hotel (和平饭店) are now icons from the era. What is even more valuable is that visiting the bund is free of charge, unless you succumb to use the photgrapher touts for a picturesque portrait of the opposite shore featuring the skyscrapers of Pudong. Take time to stop and listen to the chimes of "Dong Fang Hong" (东方红) resonating from the clock tower of the old Customs House at the hour. At the end of the bund is Huangpu Park (黄浦公园), infamous for not allowing entry to "dogs or Chinese" during the semi-colonial era. A Peoples' monument now stand tall in the centre of the park.
Another interesting view of the bund is from the opposite shore at the Binjiang Avenue (滨江大道) on Pudong by night. The bright lights of the bund are now overshadowed by even brighter lights from the skyscrapers of Pudong. However, this was the postcard skyline of Shanghai prior to 1990 when Pudong was first developed. Strolling along the river bank at night is an excellent dating activity for couples. Brides and grooms were also spotted posing for bridal photos along the bank. Several pubs lined the area as well. Binjiang Avenue is located near to the Oriental Pearl Tower or you can take a cab to Pudong Shangri-La Hotel.
The end point of the ferry tour is the Jinling East Road Ferry Terminal (金陵东路轮渡) and the first tower building is the Bund Museum that is free of charge. Not very big place with some photo exhibits. The bund proper include many old colonial style buildings. They serve as a remembrance of the semi-colonial period following the Nanjing Treaty that opened Shanghai for western trade. Buildings such as the Customs House (海关大楼), Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank (汇丰银行) and the Peace Hotel (和平饭店) are now icons from the era. What is even more valuable is that visiting the bund is free of charge, unless you succumb to use the photgrapher touts for a picturesque portrait of the opposite shore featuring the skyscrapers of Pudong. Take time to stop and listen to the chimes of "Dong Fang Hong" (东方红) resonating from the clock tower of the old Customs House at the hour. At the end of the bund is Huangpu Park (黄浦公园), infamous for not allowing entry to "dogs or Chinese" during the semi-colonial era. A Peoples' monument now stand tall in the centre of the park.
Another interesting view of the bund is from the opposite shore at the Binjiang Avenue (滨江大道) on Pudong by night. The bright lights of the bund are now overshadowed by even brighter lights from the skyscrapers of Pudong. However, this was the postcard skyline of Shanghai prior to 1990 when Pudong was first developed. Strolling along the river bank at night is an excellent dating activity for couples. Brides and grooms were also spotted posing for bridal photos along the bank. Several pubs lined the area as well. Binjiang Avenue is located near to the Oriental Pearl Tower or you can take a cab to Pudong Shangri-La Hotel.