Waitan — Attraction in Shanghai

Wai Tan is Shanghai’s ultimate time machine: history behind you, the future ahead of you, and your phone storage crying in between.

By day it’s all business—lined with iconic neoclassical buildings from the early 1900s (think British banks, French clubs, opium-trading HQs turned into luxury boutiques). Hop-on-hop-off buses queue like it’s rush hour at Disneyland, and you’ll feel the energy of the city’s finance and commerce still humming.

But come nightfall… , when the Bund shows off. As the Customs House clock tower strikes seven, the lights flick on and Shanghai transforms into an IMAX skyline: Oriental Pearl Tower, Jin Mao Tower, Shanghai World Financial Center (aka the bottle opener), and the sleek Shanghai Tower waving hello across the Huangpu River. It’s basically the Avengers of skyscrapers showing up for roll call.

Now—joke me not—the crowds? Sardine level. The railing across the promenade is an influencer battleground, with selfie sticks, drone wannabes, and uncles photobombing like pros. Bring patience (and maybe elbow pads).

💡 Tips: • Best metro stop: East Nanjing Road (Line 2/10). Exit, follow the human river, and you’re there. • Go slightly earlier than 7pm if you want rail-space. • Don’t just face Pudong—turn around! The row of old colonial-era buildings behind you is just as iconic, a reminder of Shanghai’s wild ride from treaty port to financial powerhouse. • Bonus adventure: Take a Huangpu River cruise for the Bund’s glow in...

The Bund, or Waitan, is one of Shanghai’s most iconic landmarks—a place where history and modernity collide in spectacular fashion. Stretching along the western bank of the Huangpu River, it offers a breathtaking panorama of colonial-era architecture facing the futuristic skyline of Pudong. The contrast is stunning, and the experience is unforgettable.

We visited in the evening, which I highly recommend. The city lights shimmer across the river, and the illuminated skyscrapers—including the Oriental Pearl Tower—create a magical atmosphere. Arriving by cab was convenient, though it’s worth noting that the drop-off and pickup points are predefined. This means you’ll need to be quick when getting in or out, as the area is tightly managed and bustling with activity.

Walking along the riverfront takes about an hour at a relaxed pace. It’s a scenic stroll, with plenty of photo opportunities and moments to soak in the grandeur of Shanghai. However, be prepared for the weather—temperatures can be surprisingly low, especially for those not accustomed to Shanghai’s climate. A warm jacket and comfortable shoes are a must.

The Bund isn’t just a tourist spot—it’s a sensory experience that captures the soul of the city. Whether you're into architecture, photography, or simply want to feel Shanghai’s pulse, this is the...

Waitan 外滩, known to foreigners as the Bund, is Shanghai’s riverfront stage where colonial swagger and Shanghainese grit still glare at each other across a century of stone and steel. On one side, Pudong’s glass rockets shoot into the sky like a sci-fi sequel nobody asked for, while on the other, a lineup of early 20th-century buildings pose like overfed aristocrats.. banks, clubs, trading houses, all relics of a time when foreign powers turned the city into their architectural showroom.

Locals stuck with Waitan, foreigners stuck with Bund, and now both names coexist, one dripping with colonial flair, the other firmly Shanghainese. The term “Bund” itself came from Anglo-Indian slang for muddy embankment, while Waitan simply meant “outer shore,” back when this area sat beyond the walled city. Two names, one street, and a lifetime of cultural irony.

The facades don’t just stand here, they loom, whispering of fortunes minted in opium, cotton, and dubious deals, while revolutionaries later marched past plotting a new order. Walk the promenade today and you’ll find selfie sticks jousting under the shadows of domes and columns that were built to impress, intimidate, and outlast everyone.

Waitan, or the Bund, is where history still collects interest long after the bankers have left...