There is no better place to start exploring Shanghai than the Bund (Waitan). It is located in the historical center of the city on the banks of the Huangpu River, offering the best views over the Pudong business district. History and modernity are closely intertwined there: they are represented by colonial architecture on this bank and glass skyscrapers across the river. Even a cursory walk along the Shanghai waterfront shows all the versatility and contrast of this amazing city.

The length of the Bund is only one and a half kilometers. Although the embankment is relatively short, it offers amazing views of the city and houses numerous architectural monuments that tell about ancient and modern history.

Previously, there were dirty and poor villages along the embankment. Everything changed after the arrival of the British in Shanghai in the mid-19th century. They decided to make a new financial center out of the abandoned and useless land on the banks of the Huangpu. Soon they were joined by other expats. In a short time, the embankment acquired numerous buildings that housed banking and commercial companies from different parts of the world. The residences of foreign diplomats were also located there. By the way, some of the consulates are still located on the territory of the Bund.

Shanghai waterfront is often called the world architecture museum under the open sky. There are more than 50 buildings of various styles introduced by Europeans: from classicism to Gothic and Baroque, from Neoclassicism to Beaux-Arts and art Deco. It is considered to be the place with the largest clusters of buildings in the Art Deco style, which is so unusual for Chinese architecture.

Walking along the waterfront pay attention to the Peace Hotel (Sassoon House) which is famous for its long history and stunning jazz concerts. You can also see the building of the Shanghai Pudong Development Bank (HSBC Building) which had the unofficial status of the most beautiful building in Asia in the last century. Do not neglect the Shanghai Customs House built in the traditional Chinese style but decorated with a clock that looks like Big Ben.