The Bund or Waitan 外滩 in Chinese, literally meaning Outer Beach, is a waterfront area in central Shanghai, China. The area centers on a section of Zhongshan Road 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 Pudong District. The Bund usually refers to the buildings and wharves on this section of the road, as well as some adjacent areas. It is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Shanghai. Building heights are restricted in the area.
The English name Bund comes from the Persian word band, through Hindustani, meaning an embankment, levee or dam. The Bund usually refers to this stretch of embanked riverfront in Shanghai.
The Bund stretches one mile along the bank of the Huangpu River. Traditionally, the Bund begins at Yan'an Road (formerly Edward VII Avenue) in the south and ends at Waibaidu Bridge (formerly Garden Bridge) in the north, which crosses Suzhou Creek.
To the west of Zhongshan road, there are some 52 buildings of various Western classical and modern styles which is the main feature of the Bund. To the east of the road was formerly a stretch of parkland culminating at Huangpu Park. This park is the site of the famous sign reported to have proclaimed "no dogs or Chinese". In the park there is a Monument to the People's Heroes to commemorate those who died during the revolutionary struggle of Shanghai dating back to the First Opium War.
Near the Nanjing Road intersection stands what is currently the only bronze statue along the Bund. It is a statue of Chen Yi, the first Communist mayor of Shanghai.
As a must-see site in Shanghai, the best time to visit here is in the evening when all lights are lit up. Travelers can also take a boat to view the fantastic lights on both sides of the Huangpu River on the cruise in the evening.
