'''The Bund''' (_O? ''Wait?n'') is Shanghai's stately street of old colonial-era buildings and the first port of call for many visitors. Shanghai's Old Town (___s ''Nanshi'') is located next to the southern part of the Bund.

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.

Get in

Surprisingly there are no metro stations on the Bund. The closest you can get is the Nanjing Dong Lu stop on Line 2.

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.

  • 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.

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

  • Huangpu Park. __Y__?; Huangp?g?ngyuan. 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.

    Do

  • Huangpu river cruise. he three hour trips leave at 2PM. one hour trip should cost around ¥25. at the Bund's southern end ferry port in a large variety: One hour, two hour and three hour cruises on the Huangpu. There is a large number of ticket offices and the prices differ slightly.

  • Huangpu river ferry. yen;3. For those on a budget or short on time, you can take the ferry across to Pudong. This takes about 15 min.

  • Bund Tourist Tunnel" price. Fun for kids and just plain odd for adults, the Bund Tourist Tunnel is the quickest way to get from the Bund to Putong on the other side of the river. It is however quite expensive and not recommended for those sensitive to the strobe lights. Visitors ride it like an amusement park ride but don't expect anything too culturally enriching.

    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. ttp://www.threeonthebund.com/#. houses the flagship store of Armani in China as well as several critically-acclaimed restaurants.

    Eat

  • M on the Bund. The Bund. ttp://www.m-onthebund.com. One of Shanghai's newest and trendiest restaurants. 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. Conde Nast magazine considers it one of the best 100 restaurants in the world.Also has magnificent views of Pudong from the 7th floor on the waterfront.

    Drink

  • Captain Hostel. 7 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.

  • Bar Rouge. n the Bund, close to "M on the Bund". A magnificent bar with a great terrace on the 7th floor, overlooking the Huang Pu river. If you order their signature drink, they set the bar alight (hence the name "Bar Rouge").
  • kebabs on the grille. 79 zhongshan nanlu cool docks. uxing dong lu. 5921803307. ww.kebabsonthegrille.com. 1.30-10.30. 00rmb/head. indian cuisine with a new concept of grille on the table, amazing kebabs

    Sleep

    Budget

  • Captain Hostel. 7 Fuzhou Rd. 86-21-63235053. orms ¥70, twins/doubles ¥400. ttp://www.captainhostel.com.cn/en/. Located just off the Bund. 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 Yuan.

  • Le Tour Traveler's Rest Youth Hostel. __C?_r______?___N___q. 86 21 6267 1912. ttp://www.letourshanghai.com/. Lonely Planet independent author Damian Harper comment like this:" One of Shanghai's most pleasant youth hostels, the Le Tour has buckets of charm and a highly attractive location along an old lilong lane. If you want a hostel with colour and space and a tranquil hideout for a few days, this could be it. Tucked quietly away down a lilong lane this great and well-kept place has loads of space. It's bright and airy with attractive and gaily-painted, well-priced doubles. The amiable staff are extremely helpful, endeavouring to make a stay here as enjoyable as possible. Compared to some of the cramped common areas of other youth hostels in town, Le Tour capitalises on a sense of space and depth. There's internet (free for 20 minutes), laundry, kitchen, bike rental (they also have electric bikes), free umbrella/hair-dryer/iron hire, train ticketing (service charge) and a TV room. Behind the main reception extends a huge room accommodating a Ping-Pong and a pool table.

  • Hiker Youth Hostel Shanghai. 50 Middle Jiangxi Road. 86 21 6329 7889. yen;50. Close to the Bund. 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.

  • Hongkong Hotel. 1 Hongkong Street. 86 21 6339 0183 0; +86 21 6339 0186. ttp://www.hatoehotel.com. ingles from ¥130. If all the youth hostels are fully booked, which happens frequently, this is the next cheapest option on the Bund.

    Mid range

  • Astor House Hotel. 5 Huangpu Road. 86 21 6324 6388. ales@astorhousehotel.com. ttp://www.pujianghotel.com. yen;1,280-4,800. A cheap but 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.

  • Magnificent International Hotel. 81 Xizang South Road. ttp://www.magnificenthotel-shanghai.com. ates start at ¥297.80. The hotel offers 182 rooms, of which 13 are suites, this hotel boasts of one of the best locations in the Huangpu District. It's a 15-minute walk from the Huang Pi Road Subway Station, and is within close proximity of business and conference venues, shopping districts, and cultural attractions such as The Bund and the Yuyuan Garden.

  • Metropole Hotel Jin Jiang. 80 Jiang Xi Road (Central). ttp://www.metropolehoteljinjiang-shanghai.com. 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. Visit the Metropole website for more information on rates and online reservations.

  • Shanghai Yinbo Hotel. __C___g_____X. 35 Tiantong Road (80 Wusong Road). 86 21 6356 6288. 86 21 6325 7555. ingles ¥338. Typical nondescript mid range hotel located across the bridge on the north side of the Bund.

    Splurge

  • Peace Hotel. a_____X; Heping Fandian. anjing East Road. 86 21 6321 6888. ttp://www.shanghaipeacehotel.com. iscount rates for doubles start around US$100. 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.

  • Hyatt on the Bund. 99 Huang Pu Road"directions="on the banks of the Huang Pu River. 86 21 6393 1234"email="info.shanghai@hyattintl.com"url="http://shanghai.bund.hyatt.com/" >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.</sleep>