The Bund, also called the Zhongshan Road,lies to the west of the Huangpu River. It is a famous waterfront and regarded as a landmark as well as the birthplace of Shanghai. It starts from the Baidu Bridge, which is at the connecting point of the Huangpu River and the Suzhou Creek, to the East Jinling Road and winds a 1500 meters (less than one mile) length.

Shanghai used to be a small town on the shore of the Huangpu River. The Bund area in the past used to be the wasteland of old Shanghai covered with reeds. Today, the hotels, banks, and office buildings that line the Bund serve the financial and trade needs of one of the busiest ports in Asia.

The Bund is a street with a huge histroical Western influence lies on the edge of the Huangpu river and looks across to the new business district of Shanghai.

With a length of 1 km, the bund is dotted with various grandiose, solid buildings of western style dating back to the early 20th century. Due to these imposing buildings, the bund is also reputed as "an international exhibition of architecture". In fact, Shanghai is unique among world cities in its variety of architectural styles,about 52 various buildings of different architectural styles including Gothic, Baroque, Romanesque, Classicism and the Renaissance. This variety reflects the wisdom and efforts of architects, engineers, and workers--both foreign and domestic--and is a precious legacy to the world. This make it the most famous and attractive sight in Shanghai.

The Bund was the centre of Shanghai's politics, economy and culture hundreds of years ago, consulates of most countries and many overseas banks, businesses newspaper offices were settled there. Known as "the Wall Street of the East" then, it was a historical miniature of the Shanghai in the colonial period.The major firms of the Far East had their headquarters in the buildings facing the river.

Among these buildings, the former Shanghai and Hong Kong Bank and the Customs Building were designed by a famous British designer. People in Shanghai called them "Sister Buildings". At present, they remain an important mark of Shanghai.It is now the home of the Shanghai Pudong Development Bank.

Walking along the Bund,the Oriental Pearl TV Tower can be seen on the opposite side and also the Jin Mao Tower. The newly-built Flood Control Bank takes the function of preventing the oversize flood.

Standing on the Bund, Mr. Chen Yi's statue is in commemoration of Mr. Chen's great contribution to the development of new Shanghai. He was the first mayor of Shanghai after liberation. The Monument to People's Heroes serves as an everlasting monument to the history of the people's gallant struggle in Shanghai.

Now, a 646.7-meter-long sightseeing tunnel, connecting the bund to the Oriental Pearl TV Tower is complete and was opened to the public in October 2000, through which visitors can experience a marvelous trip under water.

Being one of the Top Ten Shanghai Attractions, the Bund is a really beautiful and special place which is worth visiting.