When are the lights turned on at The Bund? What's the best time for the night view?

The landscape lighting on the historic buildings along The Bund changes with the seasons: roughly 19:00–22:00 in summer and 17:30–21:00 in winter. The skyscrapers in Lujiazui are usually lit until around 22:00. The best viewing time is the "blue hour" just after sunset (around 17:30–19:00), when the sky turns deep blue and the building lights gradually come on—perfect for photos.

Can I go inside the buildings on The Bund? Which ones are free?

Yes. In recent years, many century-old buildings on The Bund have opened to the public, mostly for free. You can walk straight into No. 1, 2, 3, and 18; the SPDB headquarters at No. 12 offers free guided tours at 11:30/12:00 on weekdays (reservation required); the Peace Hotel at No. 20 requires a purchase or a paid tour reservation; and the Rockbund Art Museum is free with no reservation needed on weekdays. We recommend checking each building's opening hours in advance.

Do I need a ticket for The Bund? What are the opening hours?

The Bund is open 24/7 year-round and admission is free—no tickets required. It stretches about 1.5 km from East Yan'an Road in the south to Waibaidu Bridge over Suzhou Creek in the north, so you can visit anytime. Note that during peak crowds (especially holiday evenings), the viewing promenade may enforce one-way traffic or capacity limits, so plan your timing accordingly. The highlight of The Bund is the night view. Lights along both banks of the Huangpu River usually turn on between 18:30 and 19:00 and stay lit until around 22:30–23:00. The most comfortable time for a stroll is 19:30 to 21:30.

How do I choose a Huangpu River cruise? What's the difference between the regular ferry and sightseeing boats?

Huangpu River cruises come in two very different types: Regular ferry (¥2): This is the everyday river crossing used by Shanghai locals, such as the Dongjin Line ferry, which takes just a few minutes from The Bund to Lujiazui. Pros: extremely cheap. Cons: short ride, often crowded, limited views. Best for travelers who want a taste of local life or a quick crossing. Sightseeing boat (¥100–300): Designed specifically for tourists, these cruises last about 45–60 minutes and depart from Shiliupu Wharf or the International Cruise Terminal, sailing between The Bund and Lujiazui. Pros: good onboard facilities, audio commentary, and wide-open views of the full nightscape along both banks—the recommended way to experience The Bund in depth. You can buy tickets via the official "Pujiang Tour" WeChat mini program, the cruise companies' official accounts, the Shanghai Suishenxing app, or at ticket windows near Shiliupu Wharf (Huangpu District

Can I store luggage near The Bund?

Yes. There are several luggage storage spots near The Bund, mostly around East Nanjing Road Metro Station. For example, there's one near Henderson Metropolitan mall on East Nanjing Road (about 400 m from The Bund), charging around ¥10/day for backpacks and ¥20/day for suitcases, open 06:00–24:00. We recommend searching and booking in advance through a luggage storage platform.

The Bund Travel Guide: Opening Hours, Overview & Recommended Tours

The BundTravel guide

Staying near The Bund in Shanghai without the hassle! This Bund hotel guide reviews 5 top hidden-gem hotels so you can stay in the heart of the city

There are plenty of hotels in Shanghai, but choosing where to stay can be tricky. This Bund hotel guide covers check-in experience, views, value and prices for well-known properties including the Fairmont Peace Hotel, Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund, The Peninsula Shanghai, The Shanghai EDITION and W Shanghai - The Bund. Written from a first-person perspective, it's easy to understand, authentic and practical.

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This Bund travel guide takes you from the buzz of Nanjing Road to the river breeze at Jinling Ferry Terminal, linking 7 spots that capture old Shanghai's century-old romance and the city's vibrant energy. Step back in time at the Shanghai Postal Museum, discover artsy charm at Zhapu Road Bridge, stroll across Waibaidu Bridge for a cinematic moment, and see where commerce meets art at the Asia Building.

More than just an Instagram spot! A guide to exploring The Bund and discovering Shanghai's rich culture and history

This travel guide to The Bund in Shanghai dives straight into the scenery, exploring the city's culture and history. Hop on a ¥2 Shanghai ferry for a "panoramic movie" view, revisit the glamour of the old treaty port, trace the transformation from old town to modern metropolis, take in the skyline of international architecture, and step into everyday local life.

Check out the historic buildings along The Bund in Shanghai! This Shanghai attraction guide explains the legendary backstories in five minutes

Unlocking the historic buildings of The Bund: Shanghai hides 52 Western-style mansions, with every brick telling a century-old story. Even the neon lights of Lujiazui can't outshine this architectural ensemble. Today we explore five landmarks—Rockbund (The Bund Source), Peace Hotel, Customs House, Shanghai Club, and Asia Building—to help you discover Shanghai.

Don't waste your money! Take The Bund ferry for just ¥2 and experience the Huangpu River up close—this is the right way to do Shanghai.

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Shanghai food guide: The Bund edition. We tried 8 hidden gems so you won't be disappointed—river views plus great food is pure bliss

8 restaurants tested at The Bund: Jiayan, Li Baixie, 1886, Hu Gongguan, Peace Hotel, Dahuchun, Shen Dacheng, and Xian De Lai. River-view Shanghai cuisine and time-honored snack spots with no disappointments.

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The BundVisitor guide

I. Attraction Overview
The Bund sits along the Huangpu River in Huangpu District, Shanghai, stretching about 1.5 km from East Yan'an Road in the south to Waibaidu Bridge in the north. Its western side features 52 historic buildings in various architectural styles known as the "Exhibition of World Architecture," while across the river to the east rise the skyscrapers of the Lujiazui financial district. Where classic meets modern, this is Shanghai's iconic landmark.
Best time to visit: Spring and autumn (March–May, September–November) offer pleasant weather for strolling; summer nights feature light shows; winter is quieter with fewer crowds.
Hours: Open 24/7, free admission. Decorative lights are on 17:00–22:00 in summer and 17:00–21:00 in winter.

II. Getting There
Metro (most convenient)
East Nanjing Road Station: Lines 2 or 10, then a 5–10 minute walk to The Bund

Bus
Multiple routes stop nearby, including buses 20, 37, 33, 55, 65, and 123. Get off at stops along Zhongshan East 1st Road.
From the airport/train station
Pudong Airport: Line 2 to East Nanjing Road Station in about 60 minutes; Maglev + metro in about 40 minutes
Hongqiao Airport/Railway Station: Line 2 or 10 to East Nanjing Road Station in about 40 minutes
Shanghai Railway Station: Line 1 transfer to Line 2 in about 20 minutes

III. Night Views & Sightseeing
Night view highlights
Light show: Buildings on both banks light up nightly from about 19:00 to 22:00
Best photo spot: The northern section of the Bund promenade, where you can capture both the historic architecture and Lujiazui in one frame
Huangpu River night cruise: See the illuminated skyline from the water, tickets about ¥100–200

FAQ

: The landscape lighting on the historic buildings along The Bund changes with the seasons: roughly 19:00–22:00 in summer and 17:30–21:00 in winter. The skyscrapers in Lujiazui are usually lit until around 22:00. The best viewing time is the "blue hour" just after sunset (around 17:30–19:00), when the sky turns deep blue and the building lights gradually come on—perfect for photos.
: Yes. In recent years, many century-old buildings on The Bund have opened to the public, mostly for free. You can walk straight into No. 1, 2, 3, and 18; the SPDB headquarters at No. 12 offers free guided tours at 11:30/12:00 on weekdays (reservation required); the Peace Hotel at No. 20 requires a purchase or a paid tour reservation; and the Rockbund Art Museum is free with no reservation needed on weekdays. We recommend checking each building's opening hours in advance.
: The Bund is open 24/7 year-round and admission is free—no tickets required. It stretches about 1.5 km from East Yan'an Road in the south to Waibaidu Bridge over Suzhou Creek in the north, so you can visit anytime. Note that during peak crowds (especially holiday evenings), the viewing promenade may enforce one-way traffic or capacity limits, so plan your timing accordingly. The highlight of The Bund is the night view. Lights along both banks of the Huangpu River usually turn on between 18:30 and 19:00 and stay lit until around 22:30–23:00. The most comfortable time for a stroll is 19:30 to 21:30.
: Huangpu River cruises come in two very different types:

Regular ferry (¥2): This is the everyday river crossing used by Shanghai locals, such as the Dongjin Line ferry, which takes just a few minutes from The Bund to Lujiazui. Pros: extremely cheap. Cons: short ride, often crowded, limited views. Best for travelers who want a taste of local life or a quick crossing.

Sightseeing boat (¥100–300): Designed specifically for tourists, these cruises last about 45–60 minutes and depart from Shiliupu Wharf or the International Cruise Terminal, sailing between The Bund and Lujiazui. Pros: good onboard facilities, audio commentary, and wide-open views of the full nightscape along both banks—the recommended way to experience The Bund in depth.

You can buy tickets via the official "Pujiang Tour" WeChat mini program, the cruise companies' official accounts, the Shanghai Suishenxing app, or at ticket windows near Shiliupu Wharf (Huangpu District
: Yes. There are several luggage storage spots near The Bund, mostly around East Nanjing Road Metro Station. For example, there's one near Henderson Metropolitan mall on East Nanjing Road (about 400 m from The Bund), charging around ¥10/day for backpacks and ¥20/day for suitcases, open 06:00–24:00. We recommend searching and booking in advance through a luggage storage platform.