The Bund is a section of Zhongsan Road less than a mile long on the west bank of the Huangpu River in Shanghai. Before the British opened a trade depot there in 1846, Shanghai’s city limits didn’t extend that far. After 1846, more and more overseas companies set up offices there. As Shanghai grew to be one of the busiest ports in China The Bund grew with it to be one of the city’s most important trade headquarters and commercial centers. It’s essentially because of Huangpu River and The Bund that Shanghai is one of the most important cities in China today.

During the 19th century buildings grew like grass in The Bund. Each overseas company constructed its office building in its own unique architectural style; in all more than 52 very different buildings were constructed. So diverse is the architecture here that it is sometimes called the Museum of International Architecture. The only thing these 52 buildings really have in common is that they are all built in foreign styles, indicative of the heavy foreign influence on Shanghai.

The Bund faced destruction during World War II and its commercial activity dropped to almost nothing. Fortunately the buildings survived intact and after the war The Bund was revived. Many of the buildings have been converted into government offices, but the street still retains its highly commercial character as well as its heavily foreign influenced culture because many foreign consulates and the offices of famous international companies are located here. 

There are a number of sites to see in the area aside from the buildings themselves, though these are impressive enough. There is an open-air podium with the bronze statue of Marshal Chen Yi, the first communist mayor of Shanghai, in the center of The Bund. This statue is a popular tourist attraction and meeting place for people who just want to stroll around The Bund. You can also get a great view of the famous Pearl TV Tower from the street. There’s a brand new flood gate to control the waters of the Huangpu River and finally the Huangpu Park with the Monument of People’s Heroes, dedicated to the celebration those who gave their lives in the Opium War.

Technorati Tags: Huangpu River Major Attraction Opium War Pearl TV Tower Shanghai The Bund Tourist Attraction Zhongsan Road