The Bund - Iconic Waterfront of Shanghai

What is Bund?
The Bund or Waitan is a waterfront in central Shanghai and the one of the most famous touristic area of the city. Bund runs along the western bank of the Huangpu River in the eastern part of Huangpu District, from Yan’an Road (formerly Edward VII Avenue) in the south to Waibaidu Bridge (formerly Garden Bridge).
Facts:
The area along the river faces the modern architecture of Lujiazui in the Pudong District; making it one the most photographed vistas in China. The word “Bund” means an embankment or an embanked quay. The word originated from Persian word band, through Hindustani, having the meaning of embankment, levee or dam. There are various “bunds” in east Asia, probably named after the bunds/levees in Baghdad along the Tigris; the Baghdadi Jews, like the famous Sassoon family, might have given the name. This family immigrated and settled their businesses in Shanghai  and other port cities in east Asia in the 19th century.

Lujiazui skyscrapers are the highlights.
The Bund itself is not necessary a highlight of Shanghai, but more specifically the view from it. Literally, thousand of people line up daily on the banks, facing the skyscrapers from Lujiazui. They admire or take photos with its impressive architecture.  Some of the most tallest towers in the world are located there. For instance, Shanghai Tower, the second tallest building in the world (632m); Shanghai World Financial Center (492m) and Jin Mao Tower (421m). Also the very photogenic Oriental Pearl Tower (468 m).

Different views in different days.
We photographed the skyline of Shanghai in few separated days. First day, we got to Bund for sunset and blue hour immediately after we arrived and checked-in at hour hotel  in Shanghai. The amount of people present here amazed us. However, we were able to easily find a spot to place our tripods. And later on, we admired the light show displayed by almost every tall building in the area. It was such an impressive sight.

Two days later, in a rainy day, with almost zero visibility, the skyline was totally different. The combination of rain and pollution made an interesting soft image; very different comparing to the bold colors normally visible at blue hour.
Finally, we closed our trip in China again in Shanghai, photographing the skyline from a different location, on the north bank of the river. Still crowded, however not comparable with the masses from the Bund. We got an evening shot, mixing the last remnants of the setting sun, the city heavy pollution and the natural blue color of dusk into a beautiful purple tint.


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