The Bund is Shanghai s iconic waterfront promenade featuring colonial-era buildings facing the futuristic Pudong skyline with Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai Tower, and World Financial Center.

About The Bund / Pudong Skyline

The Bund (Waitan) is Shanghai's most famous promenade, a 1.5 km waterfront walkway along the west bank of the Huangpu River lined with 52 grand colonial-era buildings representing Gothic, Baroque, Romanesque, and Art Deco architecture. These former banks and trading houses from Shanghai's treaty port era now house luxury hotels, restaurants, and fashion boutiques.

Directly across the river, the Pudong skyline presents a stunning contrast—the Oriental Pearl Tower, the bottle-opener-shaped Shanghai World Financial Center, the twisting Shanghai Tower (China's tallest building at 632 meters), and the Jin Mao Tower create one of the world's most recognized urban panoramas. The view is especially spectacular at night when both sides illuminate. A short Bund tunnel ride or ferry crossing connects the two sides.

Nearby Landmarks

The Bund Oriental Pearl Tower Shanghai Tower Jin Mao Tower Pudong Riverside

Transport Options

Taxi

Cost CNY 60-100 (USD 8-14)
Time 30-50 minutes

Follow "Taxi" signs at arrivals. Queue at official taxi stand. Metered fares, no need to negotiate.

Rideshare (Grab/Uber)

Cost CNY 50-85 (USD 7-12)
Time 30-50 minutes

Didi from arrivals

Train (Metro Line 2)

Cost CNY 5
Time 40 minutes
Frequency Every 3-5 minutes

Step-by-Step Directions

1. Metro Line 2 from Hongqiao Airport T2. 2. Ride to Nanjing Rd East station (10 stops). 3. Walk east along Nanjing Road pedestrian street to the Bund (10 min walk).

Quick Comparison

Option Cost Time Best For
Taxi CNY 60-100 (USD 8-14) 30-50 minutes Convenience, groups, heavy luggage
Rideshare CNY 50-85 (USD 7-12) 30-50 minutes Budget-conscious, app users
Train CNY 5 40 minutes Budget, avoiding traffic

Good to Know

Late Night Transport

Metro Line 2 runs until about 10:30 PM. The Bund promenade is open 24 hours and is popular for late-night strolls. Taxis and Didi are readily available along East Zhongshan Road. After midnight, expect to pay 80-100 CNY ($11-14) to return to Hongqiao.

Luggage Tips

If taking the metro, you'll need to manage luggage through stations and a 10-minute walk to the waterfront. Consider storing bags at the airport or hotel first. Taxis drop off directly along the Bund.

Accessibility

The Bund promenade is flat and fully wheelchair accessible. Metro stations at Nanjing Road East have elevators. The Bund Sightseeing Tunnel has accessible capsules. Pudong riverside walkway is also barrier-free.