Bund International Architecture Exhibition, Shanghai Region, China

5Joel K 5:00 PM Mar 13, 2020

you gotta see it.. each building a gem of old world architecture
We just loved walking along the Bund and visiting these architectural gems. The entrances, the lobbies, the grandeur of the buildings. Just wonderful to see them repurposed in many cases or continue to provide the purpose from a century ago.

4Mel904 5:00 PM Dec 28, 2011

Amazing Views
There seems to be a little confusion in some reviews as to what is what in Shanghai. Apologies if this seems obvious, but to a novice like me I was unsure what the different "attractions" actually are. So, "the Bund" is used to refer to the area on the western riverfront in Shanghai, sometimes specifically to refer to the European style buildings along this street, sometimes to the walkway along the western riverside, and even sometimes to the skyline you can look at across the river on the eastern side. So many of the 'attractions' listed here are kind of the same place. And yes, it is definitely worth the visit!! So, the European style buildings along the Bund, here called the "International Architecture Exhibition" are beautiful, particularly when lit up at night. The word exhibition can be confusing if you are expecting a display of some kind, when it is the buildings themselves that are known as the 'exhibition' because they are a beautiful display of architecture. The Riverside Promenade or walkway along the Bund gives a great view of these buildings, and also an amazing view across the river to the Pudong skyline - the modern buildings of the financial district. It is also a great place to people watch and just soak up the atmosphere of the city. The contrast between the architecture on the two sides of the river is impressive, and both are beautiful and worth seeing both during the day and at night. A couple of other things: The Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center is a couple of kms away, adjacent to the People's Square. Here you will find the scale model of Shanghai, including the Bund and skylines. There are also exhibitions on the history of Shanghai and the changing skyline over time. This is in itself well worth a visit, not least because it gives a good perspective on how big the city is, as well as where everything is located in relation to everything else. There are also other permanent and temporary exhibitions including exhibits from the Shanghai Expo of 2010 and most recently a commemoration of the Communist Party's 90th year. There is a cost to enter here, but it was worth it. The booth at the entrance is also a good place to buy combination tickets (ie slightly cheaper) to many other Shanghai attractions. Finally, the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel is a bit of a misnomer - this is a tunnel which goes under the river from one side to the other (from the Bund to Pudong and back). So there are not really any sights to see in a tunnel! It is a relatively convenient way to get between the two, although the metro or bus would be much cheaper, and the ferry more scenic. (The tunnel costs 50RMB one way, 60 return). The tunnel is a uniquely bizarre/surreal experience with a sound and light show that is quite random and people either love or hate (see separate reviews of it and make up your own mind!) So, after all that ... the Bund is a must see in Shanghai, both day and night! Even if you don't think architecture is your thing, I think you will be impressed.