The Bund & People's Square
The river, the old banks and the most photographed skyline in China.
This is the postcard Shanghai: the Bund's colonial-era banks and hotels facing the Pudong towers across the Huangpu, with Nanjing Road, People's Square and Yu Garden a short walk inland. It is the best base for a first visit, because the city's main sights and the strongest metro connections are all close. The trade is that the Bund promenade is packed at sunset and the main streets are touristy; the good neighbourhood life is a few blocks back, around the side streets of Huangpu.
What works
- The Bund, Nanjing Road and People's Square on foot
- Excellent metro access at Nanjing East Road and People's Square
- Hotels for every budget, including historic landmarks
What doesn’t
- Very crowded at sunset and on weekends
- Many overpriced tourist restaurants
- Street noise and light in riverside rooms
One local move
See the Bund at sunrise, when the promenade is almost empty and the light is soft, then walk north to the Rockbund area for coffee. Come back after 10pm for the lights; skip the midday crowd entirely.
Getting around
Nanjing East Road on lines 2 and 10 and People's Square on lines 1, 2 and 8 are the main stations. The Bund itself is a 10–15 minute walk east from either. Most of the old city is walkable, but use the metro for the French Concession or Pudong; taxis are slow on Nanjing Road.
Safety
Very safe and busy late into the night. Watch for pickpockets in crowds and the classic tourist scams near Nanjing Road. The Bund promenade is well lit and policed; Riverside views after midnight are still comfortable.
4 picks in The Bund & People's Square
One strong pick per tier. All prices are sample ranges, not live quotes.
Fairmont Peace Hotel
The 1929 art deco landmark on the Bund, with the famous jazz bar and river-facing rooms. It is the most atmospheric grande dame in the city, and the price reflects both history and location.
Shanghai Marriott Hotel City Centre
A reliable international hotel near People's Square, with a pool and large rooms. It is not a design statement, but the location is excellent for the main sights and the metro.
Shanghai Fish Inn Bund
A simple budget hotel on Henan Middle Road, a short walk from the Bund and Nanjing East Road metro. Rooms are small and basic; the location is the reason to stay.
Hotel Indigo Shanghai on the Bund
A design hotel on the South Bund with river-view rooms and a lively rooftop bar. It sits away from the main Bund crowds, near the old wharves, and feels more local than the grand hotels.
Nightly ranges are sample estimates in USD for a standard double room. They move with season, events and how early you book.
Eat & drink nearby
Jia Jia Tang Bao
Soup dumplings
A deservedly famous soup dumpling shop near People's Square, with thin skins and hot broth. It is small, crowded and cheap; go off-peak to avoid the queue.
Yang's Fry-Dumpling
Sheng jian bao
A Shanghai chain for pan-fried pork buns, crisp on the bottom and juicy inside. It is fast, cheap and reliable, and a good first bite in the city.
Lost Heaven on the Bund
Yunnan
A Yunnan restaurant on the Bund with bold flavours and a dramatic room. It is more expensive than street food but a good introduction to regional Chinese cooking beyond Shanghai's sweet-savoury palate.