Important: The license upgrade to CC by-sa 3.0 has been approved.
Please consider all contributions from this point forward to be made under that license.

From Wikitravel

The Bund (外滩; Wàitān) is Shanghai's stately street of old colonial-era buildings and the first port of call for many visitors. Shanghai's Old Town (南市 Nanshi) is located next to the southern part of the Bund.

[edit] Understand

Located on the west bank of the Huangpu River, there are excellent views of Pudong's skyscrapers from the perennially packed promenade of the Bund. Nanjing Road, the main shopping street, heads west from the Bund's centerpoint.

[edit] Get in

Surprisingly there are no Metro stations in the Bund. The closest you can get is the Nanjing Dong Lu stop on Line 2. However, bus #20 (departing from Zhongshan Park) will get you here. It follows Line 2 from its beginning to People's Square at which point it diverges and ends at the Bund. Coming from all other places the best place to transfer is People's Square (except for those coming from the western extension of Line 2; those people should transfer at Jiangsu Road to minimize fare costs. Transfer is also possible at Zhongshan Park and all but guarantees a seat but there is a 5-minute walk between the Metro station and bus stop.)

[edit][add listing] See

• The Bund. The Bund alongside Huangpu River once was the financial center of the Far East. It is considered the city's symbol since the 1920s. It is often referred to as "the museum of buildings", as many different styles of European buildings can be found here. Now it is even more attractive as you can also see modern skyscrapers just opposite the Huangpu River. That gives you a strong contrast between modern life and the past.  edit

• Customs House. Featuring a highly visible clocktower nicknamed "Big Ching". An eight storey building on the Bund. Built in 1927, it is seen as one of the symbols of the Bund.  edit

• HSBC Building. The grandest building on the Bund is now home to the Pudong Development Bank.  edit

• Huangpu Park (黄浦公园; Huángpǔ Gōngyuán). At the northern tip of the Bund, was the legendary home of the "No dogs or Chinese" sign — which in fact never existed, although Chinese not accompanied by foreigners were indeed banned until 1928. The Bund Historical Museum located here is also worth a quick visit.  edit

[edit][add listing] Do

• Huangpu River cruise. The three hour trips leave at 2PM. At the Bund's southern ferry port with the following: One hour, two hour and three hour cruises on the Huangpu. There is a large number of ticket offices and the prices differ slightly. 1 hr around ¥25.  edit

• Huangpu River ferry. For those on a budget or short on time, you can take the ferry across to Pudong. This takes about 15 min.  edit

• Bund Tourist Tunnel. A slow-moving tram, through a comically low-tech tunnel of antiquated 80's era rope lights, lasers and car dealership ilk inflatables. Something that would bore even the most provincial child today. It is marketed as a Sightseeing Tunnel, but at ¥40 it should be made clear there is no information, history or value-added to the trip. Not recommended for those sensitive to strobe lights or mediocrity. ¥40.  edit

[edit][add listing] Buy

The area around the Bund, while touristy, is not traditionally a shopping area like nearby Nanjing Road. This has changed a bit in the early 2000's with the successive restoration and opening of No.3 and No.18 on the Bund. Each houses top-of-the-line couture houses, spas, expensive bars & restaurants and art spaces. They have become something of a destination in and by themselves, especially with the newly rich jetset. Dress well or expect curt service.

• 3 on the Bund, [1]. Houses the nation's flagship Armani store as well as several critically-acclaimed restaurants.  edit

[edit][add listing] Eat

• Kebabs on the Grille, ☎ +86 15921803307, [2]. 11:30AM-10:30PM. Indian cuisine with a new concept of grille on the table. ¥100.  edit

• M on the Bund, 5 The Bund, ☎ +86 21-63509988, [3]. M-F 11:30AM-2:30PM, 6PM-10:30PM daily, 11:30AM-3PM Sa Su brunch, 3:30PM-5:30PM Su tea. Open for over a decade, Shanghai's original "new" western restaurant. Attention to detail is given to freshness, quality and presentation. There is an excellent selection of wines to complement your meal and the desserts are extremely tempting. Miele considers it one of the best restaurants in Asia. Also has magnificent views of Pudong from the 7th floor on the waterfront. Mains ¥180-300.  edit

[edit][add listing] Drink

• Bar Rouge, ☎ +86 21-63391199 (info@bar-rouge-shanghai.com), [4]. A magnificent dance club and bar with a terrace on the 7th floor, overlooking the Huangpu River. If you order their signature drink (Bar Rouge), they set the bar alight.  edit

• Captain Hostel, 37 Fuzhou lu. Situated on the top floor of this hostel is a wonderful terrace and bar that overlooks the Bund and Pudong. If you are a traveller on a budget, this is the place to go.  edit

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Budget

• Captain Hostel, 37 Fuzhou Rd, ☎ +86 21-63235053 (+86 21-53500353, captain@captainhostel.com.cn, fax: +86 21-63219940), [5]. Good rooms (each with a boat style theme), cheap dorms, unbeatable location. Rooms are very clean and there is a fantastic rooftop bar directly facing the Bund and the river. You should be aware that while the Bund is swarming with tourists by day, affordable nightlife is sorely lacking in the surrounding area. A taxi ride to the more happening French Concession area is about ¥20. Dorms ¥70, twins/doubles ¥400.  edit

• Hiker Youth Hostel Shanghai, 450 Middle Jiangxi Rd 上海市黄浦区江西中路450号, ☎ +86 21-63298099‎. Excellent beds, friendly staff (several with good English skills). Relaxed atmosphere, bar with free pool and DVDs. Three free internet terminals. Hot water is turned off noon-7PM. This hostel will also arrange train/aeroplane tickets. Airport pickup is possible. ¥50.  edit

• Hongkong Hotel, 31 Hongkong Jie, ☎ +86 21-63390183 ext 0 (+86 21-63390186). If all the youth hostels are fully booked, which happens frequently, this is the next cheapest option on the Bund. Singles from ¥130.  edit

[edit] Mid-range

• Magnificent International Hotel, 381 Xizang S Rd, [6]. The hotel offers 182 rooms, of which 13 are suites, this hotel has of one of the best locations in the Huangpu District. It's a 15-min walk from the Huang Pi Road Subway Station, and is within proximity of business and conference venues, shopping districts, and cultural attractions such as The Bund and the Yuyuan Garden. From ¥300.  edit

• Metropole Hotel Jin Jiang, 180 Jiang Xi Rd (Middle) 上海市黄浦区江西中路180号, [7]. This hotel offers 137 rooms and has facilities such as a Chinese restaurant, a lobby bar, and number of conference and meeting facilities. Centrally located, just 0.5 km. away from The Bund, and easily accessible from Shanghai International Convention Center. Also within Shanghai's shopping area, the Huangpu District.  edit

• Shanghai Yinbo Hotel (上海金波大酒店), 135 Tiantong Rd 上海市虹口区天潼路135号, ☎ +86 21-63256999 (fax: +86 21-63257555). Typical nondescript mid range hotel located across the bridge on the north side of the Bund. Singles ¥338.  edit

[edit] Splurge

• Astor House Hotel, 15 Huangpu Rd, ☎ +86 21-63246388 (sales@astorhousehotel.com), [8]. A classy option, formerly known as Pujiang Fandian, placed right next to the Bund in a building full of history. Established in 1846, it was the first Parliament of China, had the first electric light in China and once housed Albert Einstein and Charlie Chaplin. The hotel has a wide range of prices, including a Youth Hostel in its 5th floor. In-room internet is ¥60 per day. Some 5th floor rooms have views and most have wood floors and 12' celling. ¥1,280-4,800.  edit

• Hyatt on the Bund, 199 Huangpu Rd (on the banks of the Huangpu River), ☎ + 86 21-63931234. 5 star hotel opened in 2007 as part of the Grand Hyatt brand. Equipped with state of the art business and meeting facilities including 2 ballrooms and a glasshouse for special events.  edit

• Peace Hotel (和平飯店; Hé​píng​ Fàn​diàn​), Nanjing E Rd, ☎ +86 21-63216888, [9]. Shanghai's grand old hotel, in 1930s Art Deco style and ideally located on the Bund. Perhaps somewhat overpriced given the lacklustre facilities and the spotty service. It has, however, a great cafe where you can enjoy a cup of coffee, as well as some jazz music played by the famous "Old Men's Jazz Band" made up of old musicians who played in the same hotel in the 1930s. Currently closed for renovation. discounts available.  edit

This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!