Urban Attractions
The Bund
About 1.5 kilometers long along the Huangpu River in the east is Waitan Bund or better known now as the Bund. Here you will see a trace of western influence from the 20th century in form of various architectural styles such as France, Britain, Spain and Greece, as well as buildings of the Renaissance. The European architecture of the Bund has become a symbol of Shanghai. At one time the Bund was the microcosm of Shanghai under the rule of western colonialism. Many buildings from 1920s and 1930s have retained their original styles with proper maintenance. A long wall for flood control has been built along the bank with a spacious walkway. Early in the morning, people often gather there to do morning exercises. During the day, it is a favourite venue for sightseeing, and in the evening, it is a rendezvous for lovers. Neon lights make the Bund all the more magnificent.
Pudong: Special Economic Zone
Pudong is bounded by the Huangpu river in the west and the East China Sea in the east. Located on the other side of the Bund, Pudong is the special Economic Zone. With a population of 1.5 million, Pudong has 13 residential districts and 28 townships under its jurisdiction. Its futuristic Oriental Pearl Tower, with a giddy height of 468 meters, stands as the world's third tallest TV tower. The tower’s observation floor is 263 meters high and 45 meters in diameter. It is the best place to get a bird's-eye view of Shanghai. It goes without saying that the skyscrapers and towers in Pudong have already come to symbolize Shanghai.
Shoppers’ paradise
Shanghai is a "paradise for shoppers". The famous 5-km-long Nanjing Road, known as China's No. 1 Street, is lined with more than 350 shops and department stores selling clothing, food and specialty goods. In the evening, the road is lit up with colourful neon signs.
The newly-expanded Huaihai Road, Jingling Road East and Sichuan Road North are also busy commercial sections with hundreds of stores and shops selling all kinds of merchandise. For exotic shoppers, Yuyuan Bazaar offers all sorts of local products.
Besides shopping, Shanghai is China's Eden for diners, leading the country in catering trade. Shanghainese cuisine is a special hybrid. There are several famous old restaurants in Shanghai that serve a variety of Chinese cuisine from different parts of the country such as Beijing, Guangdong, Sichuan, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Hunan, Anhui and Fujian. In addition, Shanghai is probably the only city in China mainland that has the most western restaurants. Authentic Islamic food and vegetarian dishes as well as exotic flavours such as French, Russian, Italian, British, German, Japanese and Indian foods are available.
