As Shanghai’s most iconic blend of history and modernity, The Bund-Nanjing East Road area combines the century-old charm of the European-style architecture along the Bund with the bustling commerce of Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street. It’s a must-visit destination for tourists and a paradise for citywalk enthusiasts. Whether strolling along the Bund in daylight to admire the modern skyline of both riverbanks or immersing in the neon-lit crowds of Nanjing Road at night, you’ll experience the unique “Shanghai-style” vibe. Most Hills properties are located nearby, offering travelers easy access to the area’s highlights.
1. Top Eats
1.1Michelin & View Dining
外滩三号Jean-Georges
Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the Pudong skyline, while dishes like black truffle pizza redefine luxury. The champagne brunch is a magnet for influencers and romantics.
-Address：No.3 Zhongshan Dong Yi Road
-Average Cost: 1000-1,500RMB
外滩十八号Hakkasan
Moody lighting and bamboo motifs create a sultry vibe. The crispy duck with caviar is a must-try, and the lychee martini pairs perfectly with the neon-lit river views.
-Address：No.18 Zhongshan Dong Yi Road
-Average Cost: 600-800RMB
1.2Local & Global Flavors
老正兴菜馆Lao Zheng Xing Restaurant
A living museum of Shanghainese cuisine. The sticky braised sea cucumber will make you understand why locals adore “thick oil red sauce”.
-Address：No.556 Fuzhou Road
-Average Cost：100-150RMB
大壶春DaHuChun
No frills, just crispy-bottomed buns since 1932. Join locals queuing at 7am for a taste of Shanghai’s breakfast soul.
- Address：No.136 Middle Sichuan Road
-Average Cost：20-30RMB
POP露台西餐厅POP American Restaurant & Bar (Bund 3)
Skip the formal vibe and enjoy hearty burgers with a skyline backdrop. Their bloody mary bar is a brunch lover’s dream.
- Address：3 Zhongshan East 1st Road
-Average Cost：250-300RMB
2.Must-See Attractions
2.1History & Architecture
外滩万国建筑群The Bund Historical Architectural Complex
The 52 buildings include Gothic and Baroque styles, with the Customs House ringing the bell at all hours and the Peace Hotel's green copper roof being a landmark on the Bund. When the buildings are lit up at night, it is like travelling back in time to the ‘Paris of the East’ of the 1920s.
-Address：Zhongshan Dong Yi Road, Bund, Huangpu District
上海邮政博物馆Shanghai Postal Museum
Built in 1924 as the General Post Office, the Baroque dome frescoes depict mythological scenes, while the vintage rotating staircase and old-fashioned postal car exhibits are full of nostalgia. The hidden terrace on the top floor overlooks a dialogue of time and space between Suzhou Creek and Lujiazui.
-Free opening hours:
Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays 9:00-17:00 (admission stops at 16:30)
Wednesdays and Thursdays from 250 North Suzhou Road (only the first floor of the exhibition area is open, you need to return the same way)
Saturday and Sunday, enter from No.395 Tiantong Road.
-Address：No.395, Tiantong Road, Hongkou District
外滩源The Bund Origin
The Bund Origin, also known as Rockbund, is the birthplace of modern Shanghai. Located at the northern end of the iconic Bund, this 0.8km² area preserves 14 historical buildings from the 1840s-1930s. Once the headquarters of foreign consulates and trading giants, it’s now a chic blend of heritage architecture, art galleries, and lifestyle hubs.Explore the Former British Consulate (Shanghai’s oldest European building) and Union Church (neoclassical gem).
-Address：Yuanmingyuan Road (near Beijing East Road), Huangpu District
2.2 Riverside Highlights
外滩观景平台 The Bund Viewing Platform: Shanghai's Iconic Riverside Walk
“No visit to Shanghai is complete without this iconic riverfront stroll – where history literally faces the future.”Stretching 1.5km along the Huangpu River, the Bund Viewing Platform offers jaw-dropping contrasts. Face Pudong’s neon-lit giants like the Oriental Pearl Tower and Shanghai Tower.Colonial Grandeur: Turn around to see 52 historic buildings in Gothic, Baroque, and Art Deco styles.
Night Magic: Evening light shows (7-10pm) paint the river in kaleidoscopic colors.
Best Photo Spots：
Beijing East Road Intersection – Classic Pudong skyline framing. Lovers’ Wall – Romantic locks and sunset glow.
-Address: Zhongshan East 1st Road, Huangpu District (from Waibaidu Bridge to Yan’an East Road).
🕒 Avoid Crowds: Visit at sunrise or weekday nights.
Combo Experience: Take the 2RMB ferry from Jinling East Road Pier to Pudong for return views.
3.Shopping Picks
3.1 Luxury Icons
外滩金融中心BFC Bund Finace Center
A modern mixed-use complex blending offices, luxury retail, and arts at the heart of the Bund. Designed by Foster + Partners, it features the iconic "Dancing Curtain" façade of the Fosun Art Center and rooftop bars with sweeping river views.Fosun Art Center’s rotating exhibitions and kinetic exterior.Designer boutiques, Michelin restaurants (e.g., DA VITTORIO Shanghai), and seasonal markets.
-Address: 600 Zhongshan East 2nd Road, Huangpu District (near Yuyuan Garden & Shiliupu Ferry).
新世界大丸百货Shanghai New World Daimon Department Store
A luxury shopping landmark blending Japanese elegance with Shanghai flair, located on Nanjing Road East. Known for its iconic spiral escalators and curated selection of international brands. Houses brands like Gucci, Prada, and exclusive Japanese labels. Massive cosmetics floor with tax-free shopping (passport required). Authentic Japanese restaurants and a premium supermarket.
-Address:No. 288 Nanjing East Road, Huangpu District (near Henan Middle Road).
益丰·外滩源Yifeng·Rockbund (The Bund Origin)
A revitalized 1920s historical complex blending colonial architecture with luxury brands and art. Once the "Comacrib Building" housing British trading firms, it now dazzles as a cultural and lifestyle hub.Red-brick Renaissance revival façades and vaulted arcades. Dior’s Shanghai Shanghai flagship store in a restored heritage building. Rooftop terraces with Bund views and boutique cafés.
-Address:No. 99 Beijing East Road, Huangpu District
3.2 Century-Old Brands
邵万生Shao Wansheng
Founded in 1852, Shao Wan Sheng is one of Shanghai’s most renowned century-old brands, famous for its marinated delicacies. Signature dishes include drunken crabs, drunken shrimp, and fermented mud snails, all made using traditional Jiangnan-style marination techniques. The rich aroma of rice wine and the fresh, savory taste make these dishes a favorite among locals.
- Address: 414 Nanjing East Rd
-Average Cost：50-150
沈大成Shen Dacheng
Established in 1875, Shen Da Cheng is a household name in Shanghai, specializing in traditional Chinese pastries and snacks. Its signature offerings include green rice balls (Qingtuan), Tiaotou cake, eight-treasure rice, and fresh meat mooncakes—all known for their soft, glutinous texture and authentic flavors.
- Address: 636 Nanjing East Rd
-Average Cost: 20-50RMB
4. Nightlife & Coffee
4.1 Rooftop Bars
Roosevelt Sky Bar
8th-floor Bund terrace, whiskey bar with live jazz
- Address: 27 Zhongshan East 1st Rd
-Average Cost：150-250 RMB
Peace Hotel Jazz Bar
80+-year-old musicians playing 1930s classics
- Address: 20 Nanjing East Rd
-Average Cost：200-300RMB
4.2 Cafés & Desserts
% Arabica Roastery (Bund Origin)
Minimalist white space, Spanish latte + Kyoto matcha latte
- Address: 169 Yuanmingyuan Rd
-Average Cost： 40-60 RMB
Le Salon de Joël Robuchon (Yifeng Bund Origin)
French dessert heaven, signature raspberry macarons + Mont Blanc
- Address: 99 Beijing East Rd
-Average Cost：150-250 RMB
Area Tips
1. Transport: Metro Lines 2/10 to Nanjing East Rd Station. Taxis are tough at night on the Bund; walk to Sichuan Middle Rd to hail one.
2. Crowd Avoidance: Sunrise at the Bund for fewer people and stunning views; weekday mornings on Nanjing East Rd are more relaxed.
3. Hidden Gem: Take the ¥2 ferry from the Bund to Lujiazui for a Pudong-side night view.
The Bund - Nanjing East Road is Shanghai’s timeless stage, captivating first-timers and seasoned travelers alike with the city’s soul. Hills properties place you just a street away from these legendary landmarks, letting you feel the true “heartbeat of Shanghai.”