The Bund at Night Is the Postcard — Here's How to See It Right

The view that is the city

The Bund (外滩) is a row of grand early-20th-century buildings on the west bank of the Huangpu River, facing the futuristic towers of Lujiazui across the water. By day it is handsome; at night, when both shorelines light up, it is the image everyone comes to Shanghai for.

The trick is not just to see it but to see it from the right place at the right moment. The promenade itself is free and open 24 hours; the rooftop bars and the river cruise give you the version with the skyline spread out and the reflections on the water.

• •Historic Bund facades vs Pudong's towers
• •Free, open 24 hours
• •Best at blue hour and after dark

Three ways to watch the lights

On foot: the Bund promenade between East Nanjing Road and the Peace Hotel is the classic vantage, best in the 'blue hour' just after sunset when the sky still glows. From a rooftop: bars above the Bund or in Lujiazui give you the skyline with a drink. From the water: a Huangpu River night cruise turns the whole front into a moving panorama — the Bund's facades one way, Pudong's towers the other.

Cruises run from several piers (Shiliupu near Yu Garden is the handy one); the evening sailing is the one to book. They are frequent, air-conditioned, and the easiest way to 'get' the city in one sitting.

• •Promenade at blue hour
• •Rooftop bars in the Bund or Lujiazui
• •Evening Huangpu River cruise

Photo and timing tips

Aim for the hour around sunset so you catch the buildings in daylight, the blue hour, and full dark in one visit. The east-facing Bund gets the sunset glow on Pudong; a cruise gives both shores at once. Tripods are fine on the promenade but not on most cruise decks.

Pair it with dinner: the Bund's restaurants and the Lujiazui towers both make a natural evening, and a night cruise slots between them. In August, the river breeze is also the coolest seat in the city.

Our planning note

Don't just photograph the Bund and leave. Stay for the dark, take the water once, and let the two shorelines do the talking. It is the one view that is worth the crowd.