Kay's TARA - China 3

Next stop : The Bund - Shanghai.

After walking more than a kilometer along Nanjing Road East and tirelessly saying "bu yao" (don’t want) to street hawkers shouting "Hey mister, hey lady, wanna buy a watch?" we arrived at a large pedestrian walkway bordering the Huangpu River.

The Bund (which means the Embankment) is Shanghai's famous waterfront running along the west shore of the Huangpu River, forming the eastern boundary of old downtown Shanghai. It is one of the most recognizable architectural symbols of Shanghai.

For an excellent view of buildings at the Bund, it is recommended that one go through an underground walkway and then look back at the area from which you came.

The elegant row of European colonial buildings will make you think you're back in the 1920s; all were constructed in western-inspired style - classical, Gothic, renaissance, eclectic and modern.

The Bund is sometimes referred as the 'museum of international architecture,' and indeed it was and still is.

The Customs House (building with clock tower) was built in 1927. The clock has four sides and chimes the hour. It was made in London and shipped for an earlier version of the Customs House.

No. 27 - Jardine Matheson and Co., Ltd. Building; built 1920. Today it is the Chinese Exterior Commerce Ministry.

Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank built this building in 1923 to replace their previous home on the Bund.

Another strong hold at the Bund which houses AIA operations in Shanghai.

Street view of the Bund

Unfortunately, during our visit the pedestrian walkway along the Huangpu River embankment was closed for renovations. The Bund area was given a face lift in preparation for the 2010 World Expo.

The Bund over looking Pudong. Ten years ago Pudong was swampland but today is a showcase for some of the most modern architecture in the world. Seen in the picture the Oriental Pearl Tower.