Huangpu River and the Bund

MythMin
MythMin
First Reviewer
4 out of 5
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4
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31
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Nightview Is Fantastic

  • June 30, 2009
  • Rated 5 of 5 by freetrekker from Beijing, China
Nightview Is Fantastic

Do you see the pic I shot on my boat along the Bund, maybe not that clear though, it is my favorite. I love the neon glow reflected on the water.

From journal Shanghai Travel---nightview

Editor Pick

Huangpu River and the Bund

  • October 2, 2006
  • Rated 5 of 5 by cheese_cake from London, United Kingdom
Huangpu River and the Bund

The Bund, along the Huangpu river, is the quintessential Shanghai sight. Its name is derived from the Hindi word "band", meaning embankment, and strung along it are a series of colossal Art Deco buildings, mainly dating from the first 4 decades of the 20th century. These were in the past headquarters of multinational banks and companies, testifying to Shanghai's status as a global financial and trading centre in the inter-war years. A good place to "take in" the Bund is actually from the other side of the river, in Lujiazui, Pudong. The best time for photos is in the morning, when the sun is behind you. After you've satisfied yourself gazing at the Bund from afar, you can cross the Huangpu by the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel, which takes you to the northern end of the Bund. You might seeing elderly Shanghai residents practising qigong very early in the morning here. Most visitors on Bund-side are drawn to the modern skyline of Pudong to the east, but don't forget to take a look at the matronly buildings behind you. Some of these still house banks and offices, and some have been converted to high-end retail spaces. The former HSBC headquarter, at no 12, is worth popping into (it is now an office building with a branch of the Pudong Development Bank on the ground floor). Just inside the main entrance are original mosaics depicting the world's leading banking centres, and you'll find Shanghai's rightful place alongside New York, London and Tokyo. The main entrance is framed by two bronze lions - these are replicas and the originals are now in the Shanghai History Museum. The Bund is also a good place for a stroll after dark, when the buildings are brilliantly lit up.

From journal Sexy Shanghai

Editor Pick

Huangpo Sightseeing Tunnel

  • April 5, 2006
  • Rated 1 of 5 by Paul Bacon from Rotherham, United Kingdom
The tunnel that runs beneath the Huangpo River serves one important purpose, it allows you to travel from Nanjing Lu and the Bund on one bank to Pudong on the other. This is no small service; on the far bank Pudong boasts two of the world's tallest buildings, either or both of which are well worth the visit. The massive skyscraper that is the Jinmao Tower and the giant bawbled spike that is the Oriental Pearl Tower dominate the skyline and offer spectacular views across Shanghai. Having already visited Nanjing Lu and the Bund at least one of these two are a must on any tour of Shanghai.Getting across the Huangpo though, is made more difficult by the fact that there is no bridge close by. So if you don't fancy swimming in the decidedly murky waters, it is a choice between a ferry and the tunnel. Now without doubt the ferry is by far the most interesting option, allowing you to enjoy the river scenery as well as providing a great opportunity to take pictures of both banks of the river.To combat the inherent disadvantage to which it is placed, the tunnel has attempted to re-invent itself as a separate tourist attraction in its own right. There are posters all along the Bund advertising it. Unfortunately I was gullable enough to think that it was worth a try. I am not sure I could have been more disappointed in what I found.For starters the Haungpo is not that wide, nothing like the Hudson in New York and probably only similar to the Thames in London. So, the tunnel is not all that long. Second there just isn't anything to see. All that has been done to change the tunnel from a regular tunnel to a sightseeing extravaganza is that it has been covered in neon and twinkling fibre-optic cables. I could not help but think that considering that just a few yards away on Nanjing Lu there was enough neon to leave you needing sunglasses in the dead of night, the efforts in the tunnel were somewhat pointless. I disembarked the small carriage that journeys between the banks thinking how much better a ferry would have been.

From journal Shanghai on Life

Editor Pick

The Huangpu River and the Bund

  • November 29, 2005
  • Rated 5 of 5 by MythMin from Pahang, Malaysia
The Huangpu River and the Bund

There would never have been a Shanghai without the Huangpu River. Being the main source of living during the days when Shanghai was a mere fishing village, it has witnessed the city’s birth and growth and is now the only shipping artery of Shanghai. The river is 114km long, starting from the mouth of Yangtze River and ending 29km north of downtown Shanghai. Running through the remarkable metropolis, the Huangpu River separates the west Shanghai from the east Shanghai, creating two diverse worlds in one city.

The Huangpu River is no attraction itself. Yellow muddy waters run through it, thus its name, "huang," meaning yellow. When crossing the South Huangpu Bridge, the river is not exactly a sight to yell about, and the Chinese know it. But the river still flows proudly and peacefully through this great metropolitan and is no doubt the highest-grossing tourist spot in Shanghai.

So what exactly makes the yellow muddy river so popular? Well, it really is the boundless attractions, lights, and action surrounding it. Hordes of tourists and locals can be seen strolling along its never-ending riverbanks, at the famous Shanghai Bund, or waiting in line for a cruise along the serene river during the day, and even more during the night. This is the part of the city that never sleeps.

The Shanghai Bund, the famous symbol of Shanghai, is located on the west shore of the Huangpu River. It is a must-visit place, especially on the west side, known as the museum of international architecture. This side of the bund is lined with buildings of foreign architecture, making the place seem more European than it is Chinese. There is even a clock tower! Other than that, many other tourist attractions, like the Shanghai Museum, monuments, and statues, are also located at the Bund. Walking along the streets, the Bund offers an excellent sight of the other side of Pudong, with the Oriental Pearl TV Tower and Jin Mao Tower clearly in view. Be sure to visit the Bund during the night, as it simply is a sight to remember! Beautiful lights illuminate the colonial buildings, giving the Bund a surreal and romantic atmosphere, perfect for sightseeing, picture-taking, or just a short stroll with a loved one.

The best way to experience the Bund and the modern Pudong is definitely from the river itself. Cruises are available every day, as are the shorter cruises that take tourists along the main waterfront area for approximately 45 minutes. Standing on the deck, the cool river breeze and the dazzling lights will simply take your breath away! I was leaving Shanghai the next day, so the cruise was the perfect farewell. Really, the view from the Huangpu River is definitely a must-see.

From journal Today's Shanghai

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