Zalina Mohd Som ticks another destination off her bucket list after checking out the iconic locale in Shanghai
THE one and only place in Shanghai that I really want to see and set foot in was The Bund.
For everytime I read about Shanghai, there would be a photo of The Bund — of a cluster of ultra-modern skyscrapers floating like an island over calm water.
That was what I did during my first visit to Shanghai, China’s biggest city and a global financial hub a few months ago.
My friends and I only had a small window between after dinner and before midnight (before the taxi fare doubles) for a short sightseeing. And the Bund was the destination.
We joined the throng of tourists walking across the Waidaibu Bridge to the waterfront. Even from the bridge, we could see that cluster of buildings. Their bright lights shone on the water, making the sight even more mesmerising.
On the side where we’re standing was a row of colonial buildings. Satisfied with the view, we head back to the hotel. And home after a brief stay.
Then, opportunity came knocking and I got to check out The Bund again. Craving for more stories and information, I signed up for the Airbnb Experience, a three hour art walk titled Spots Hiding Behind The Bund.
Managed by two friends, Miki and Lian, the tour starts from a hipster cafe at the pedestrian street of Yuanmingyuan Road, the cobble stoned street parallel to the main road where the colonial buildings stand.
Miki comes complete with notes and aids. Her short but thorough briefing on the history of the Bund makes me realise the island of modern buildings is not the Bund.
That is Lujiazui in the Pudong District. The Bund is where we stood during the first
visit. Where we are now. It’s thewaterfront area that centres on a sector of Zhongshan Road where those beautiful century-old buildings and wharves sit.
After a short briefing, the tour starts with the “origin of the bund”, the former former British Consulate building, before making a full circle of the block trapped between the YuanmingyuanRoad and the
Huqiu Road.
She stops at almost every significant building and shares interesting tales or history of the buildings, even though she only promised eight hidden spots behind The Bund.
The Waidaibu Bridge is where we say goodbye to each other. But before she makes her way, she suggests that we walk along the waterfront and turn in Yan’an East Road,to Yuyuan Garden and Bazaar.
From Western heritage buildings, our eyesnow feast on beautiful, old Shanghai. Those historic buildings take our breath away. We didn’t expect to see such beauty.
Since we didn’t get enough of central Shanghai, we return the following day to check out the French Concession, the district neighbouring Old Shanghai.
The area which was once designated for the French from 1849 until 1943 still looks verymuchFrench with its tree-lined boulevards and French villas. Apart from taking in its charming scene, there’s a few historic spots to check out too.
Last on our list is Nanjing Pedestrian Street, not only to satisfy our shopping need but also to take in its bustling vibe, especially at night.
Done with our window shopping, we check out The Bund one last time. Wonderful!