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Shanghai Bund: Exploring Historic Waterfront & Architecture

Shanghai for Free 2; The Bund (part 1)

Destination:ChinaCity:NanjingPopulation: 9.4 million
Shanghai for Free 2; The Bund (part 1)
Tim Chambers15 min

Shanghai for Free 2; The Bund (part 1). This was filmed by Tim Chambers. Watch the full journey and explore the filming details and destinations on this page.

It is possible to see many major sites in Shanghai for free. Join me as I visit several locations along the Bund next to the Huangpu in central Shanghai. I pass by all the buildings but focus on the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, and restaurants in 3 and 5 on the Bund.

The Shanghai Museum is a museum of ancient Chinese art, situated on the People's Square in the Huangpu District of Shanghai, China. Rebuilt at its current location in 1996, it is considered one of China's first world-class modern museums and famous for its large collection of rare cultural pieces. The museum has a collection of over 120,000 pieces, including bronze, ceramics, calligraphy, furniture, jades, ancient coins, paintings, seals, sculptures, minority art and foreign art. The Shanghai Museum houses several items of national importance, including one of three extant specimens of a "transparent" bronze mirror from the Han Dynasty.

The Bund or Waitan is a waterfront area and a protected historical district in central Shanghai. The area centers on a section of Zhongshan Road (East Zhongshan Road No.1) within the former Shanghai International Settlement, which runs along the western bank of the Huangpu River in the eastern part of Huangpu District. The area along the river faces the modern skyscrapers of Lujiazui in the Pudong District. 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.

--- Tim Chambers
August 14, 2023, Summer in China

Travel Guides & Tips in this video

Tim Chambers explores Shanghai's Bund on foot, beginning near East Nanjing Road. He introduces the waterfront's architectural styles and history as a center of foreign settlement from the 1860s to the 1930s. The route includes the Waldorf Astoria, formerly the Shanghai Club, rooftop restaurants with views toward Pudong, and Captain's Bar. Tim explains how to reach the Bund by public transport or ferry and points out a historic meteorological signaling tower.

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Shanghai for Free 2; The Bund (part 1)

Walking from East Nanjing Road

Tim Chambers begins near East Nanjing Road and walks toward the Bund. He introduces the waterfront as part of his series about exploring Shanghai on a budget, and points out the different architectural styles lining the route. The buildings reflect the Bund's history as an embankment and a center of foreign settlement in Shanghai from the 1860s through the 1930s. Tim explains that visitors can reach the area by public transport or ferry, and that walking allows them to see the architecture without paying for a tour.

He describes several buildings along the waterfront, including the Waldorf Astoria. He explores its interior and shares its past as the Shanghai Club. Other stops include Number One Building and Number Three Building. Tim also points to a meteorological signaling tower and describes its historical use. The sequence links individual buildings with the broader history of the Bund.

Rooftop views and side streets

Tim visits rooftop restaurants and bars, including Pop and M on the Bund, which the source notes is now closed. From the rooftops he looks across the river toward the Pudong skyline, including the Oriental Pearl Tower and Shanghai Tower. He also stops at Captain's Bar, where he enjoys views over the waterfront.

The video focuses on free sights, public spaces and historic architecture in a busy city. Tim shares personal observations as he walks between buildings and explains why the Bund is accessible on a budget. He closes by previewing a second part about more of the waterfront's architecture and history. The route encourages travelers to look beyond the skyline and notice the stories connected with each building.

Tim's walk covers more than the facades visible from the waterfront. He explains that the Bund began as an embankment and became a center of foreign settlement during the 1860s to 1930s. At the Waldorf Astoria, formerly the Shanghai Club, he looks inside and relates the building to that history. Further along, he points out Number One Building and Number Three Building and visits Pop Restaurant's rooftop, noting that M on the Bund has since closed. From the rooftop, the view reaches across the river to the Oriental Pearl Tower and Shanghai Tower. He also visits Captain's Bar and describes its vantage point over the water. The route starts near East Nanjing Road, follows the Bund on foot and uses the buildings to tell a story about Shanghai's past and present. Tim includes public transport and ferry options for visitors, and notes that the walk itself makes the area's free public sights accessible.

FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)

Q: How can you explore the Bund for free?
A: Tim walks along the waterfront, viewing its architecture and public spaces without taking a paid tour.
Q: What is the history of the Bund?
A: Tim describes it as an embankment and a center of the foreign establishment in Shanghai from the 1860s through the 1930s.
Q: Which buildings does Tim visit?
A: He explores the Waldorf Astoria, formerly the Shanghai Club, and points out Number One Building, Number Three Building and the signaling tower.

Previous travel video:

Shanghai Bund: Exploring Historic Waterfront & Architecture

Tim Chambers explores Shanghai's Bund, a captivating waterfront with stunning architecture and rich history, leaving a lasting impression.

Shanghai Bund Exploration: Free Walking Tour & Historical Sites

Explore the iconic Bund in Shanghai, a historical waterfront area showcasing stunning European architecture. Marvel at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel and elegant restaurants along Zhongshan Road. Discover the rich history of this former treaty port, once the heart of Shanghai's foreign establishment. This captivating journey reveals the Bund's unique blend of old-world charm and modern vibrancy, offering a glimpse into Shanghai's fascinating past and present.

Attractions in this video: The Bund, Waldorf Astoria Hotel, Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai Tower, Shanghai World Financial Center