Shanghai Bund English Tour Guide
Welcome to the Shanghai Bund, one of the world’s most iconic waterfronts. The Bund is a perfect place to get a glimpse of Shanghai’s past, present and future, all in one place. So, let’s take a stroll along the Bund and explore its history, culture, and architectural gemstones.
First, let’s start with a bit of history. The name “Bund” originated from the Hindi word band, which means “embankment”. In the 19th century, the Colonial powers of Europe, the United States, and Japan, settled n Shanghai and needed a place to dock their ships. So, they built a platform on the Huangpu River, which has been transformed into what we now know as the Bund. Over time, the area became a financial hub, and the world’s major financial institutions set up their branches here.
The Bund is also famous for its stunning architecture. There are 52 historical buildings on th
e Bund, with various styles ranging from Gothic, Baroque, Romanesque to Renaissance. Among them, the most iconic buildings are known as the “Three on the Bund”, which include the Custom House, the Shanghai Club, and the Union Church.
The Custom House, built-in 1927, was once the financial center for Shanghai’s foreign trade. This majestic building has a strong neo-classical style, with magnificent sculptures and stained glass windows. The clock tower, standing at the top, is one of the most photographed landmarks in Shanghai.
The Shanghai Club, located at No. 2 Bund, was built-in 1910 and was a meeting place for the city’s elite. It boasted 11 dining rooms, 116 bedrooms, a swimming pool, a billiards room, a gym, and an outdoor bar. This club has witnessed many critical historical events in Shanghai’s past.
The Union Church, built-in 1924, is a beautiful Gothic-style church with a spire reaching up to 60 meters. The church was home to the Union Baptist Theological Seminary, which trained missionaries in China.
Apart from these three buildings, there are numerous other buildings that have their unique tales of glory and splendor. The Peace Hotel built-in 1929 was formerly known as the Sassoon House and has welcomed many famous guests such as Charlie Chaplin and Noel Coward. The Bank of China building, without any support from the ground, has a trapezoidal shape, and there is a spire at the top that rotates every hour.
Last but not least, The Bund is also an ideal place to witness the city’s transformation from the past to the present. Across the river, you can see the towering skyscrapers of Pudong, which are a true representation of Shanghai’s modernity and internationalization.
So, this was a brief tour of the Bund, a place with a rich history, stunning architecture, and a great view of the future. It is no wonder that the Bund continues to be one of the most visited destinations in Shanghai, attracting millions of visitors from around the world every year.
上海外滩介绍Thank you for joining me on this tour of the Bund. I hope you’ve enjoyed this journey and learned something new about this iconic landmark.
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