The most famous landmark of Shanghai is its Vaitan embankment, the name of which literally translates as “coastal shallows”. Locals do not like to recall the colonial past of this place, therefore they refer to this street as Zhongshan Dong. Tourists in this area can see the amazing buildings of the past centuries, located on one side of the river, and on the other side of the Huangpu modern skyscrapers and a television tower contrasting with them.
Time travel
The area in which the Vaitan embankment (Shanghai) is located is called the Bund and means “pier at the muddy shore”. This designation for this place was invented by Europeans, since the English settlement used to be here, which later became international.
The first building was erected in 1846 by a British company, which opened an office in this area. After which consulates, banks, hotels, mainly in the European style, began to actively stand along the embankment. Thus, by the end of the nineteenth century, the Bund turned into a real financial center of East Asia.
At the beginning of the twentieth century, the Art Deco style came here, and many people, to admire the grandeur of these structures, sailed on excursions along the banks of the Huangpu, renting junks. Shanghai, the Bund of Vaitan (50 years) became a symbol of elegance and success of this time. After the communist revolution, many offices of trade organizations were closed, and hotels and clubs changed their original purpose.
In recent decades, in addition to all historical buildings, a large number of buildings have already been erected in a modern style and a wall has been built to prevent flooding. It has a height of more than 750 meters, therefore, it also serves as a wonderful place to explore the surrounding attractions.
Description
Currently, for the Chinese and visiting tourists, the Bund is the architectural symbol of the city. It has a length of one and a half kilometers and is located on the western bank of the Huangpu River.
In the southern part of this place is a tourist marina where you can rent boats and boats for boat trips. Some people say about the Bund that it is a small piece of Europe in the very center of China. There are buildings built in the ancient Greek style, as well as having architecture of the Renaissance.
In the dark, you can see hundreds of neon lights with the names of the most famous world brands burning above the embankment, as well as brightly lit skyscrapers and high-rise buildings. Around all the buildings there is a large number of diverse exotic plants and trees.
In order to preserve such a unique exhibition of world architectural heritage, construction is strictly prohibited in this area. Therefore, Vaitan embankment does not change its historical appearance over the years, but only acquires attractiveness and spirituality.
Majestic buildings
Among the buildings located in this area, the most popular are:
Shanghai Foreign Trade Department is a massive building erected in the twenties of the last century. Its distinguishing feature is the Roman arcades and columns.
The Oriental Pearl TV tower has the brightest illumination and consists of several spheres. This building was the first high-rise building in the area.
Shanghai World Financial Center - it is popular among tourists due to its unusual shape. Therefore, people still call each other "opener."
The building of the Bank of China, built in 1936 in the style of rational Art Nouveau. At that time, it looked very interesting and unexpected. After this construction, many skyscrapers with similar architecture began to appear.
Shanghai Customs House, erected in 1927. It is recognizable thanks to the large clock located on its walls.
HSBC Bank is a luxurious, impressive building. Previously, the municipality was located here, and at the moment there is a financial institution in Pudong.
Peace Hotel is considered one of the most popular buildings in the area. Once there was an office and apartments of the so-called owner of half of Shanghai - Sir Ellis Sassoon. Tourists are very fond of taking pictures against the background of this hotel.
What to see?
But the Vaitan embankment attracts not only architecture lovers. There are many other local attractions here. Among them, the most famous are the following:
Monument erected in honor of national heroes. It was installed at the end of the twentieth century and consists of three large rifles inclined to each other.
The monument dedicated to the uprising of Shanghai in 1927. It is located in Huangpu Park and looks very powerful.
Museum "Vaitan Embankment". Photos located in his galleries will tell the whole history of this area, as well as tell a lot of interesting facts and details of its development.
In addition, there are a huge number of various restaurants, cafes and shops.
Interesting to know
It turns out that when foreigners lived in these places, they did not really respect the real masters of the country. This is evidenced by a plate hanging in the middle of the nineteenth century at the entrance to Huangpu Park, on which it was written: "Chinese are not allowed for dogs and dogs."
Another interesting fact about this area is that it was filmed here by the famous director and screenwriter Stephen Spielberg, entitled "Empire of the Sun."
Impressions of tourists
People who are fortunate enough to visit this embankment are extremely enthusiastic about it. They say that the Bund is especially beautiful in the evening, when it is lit by the lights of a huge metropolis. This place is filled with its own bustling life and color.
Many argue that it is impossible to imagine Shanghai without this area. This embankment is striking in its grandeur, skyscrapers, colorful buildings and majestic structures. Therefore, even those tourists who have already visited it more than once, anyway, coming to the capital of China, want to get back to this amazing place where the Vaitan embankment is located. How to get there, we will tell further.
Driving Methods
No subway station is located in this part of Shanghai. But there is nothing to worry about, since you can walk to the Bund in Bund. Closest to it is Art. Nanjing Road (eastern branch), located at the intersection of the second and tenth lines of the metro. The exit from it leads to Nanjing street, from which you can immediately see the building with the big clock, and you need to go in the direction of this building.
Everyone who has already seen the Bund, really consider it an island of European culture in the heart of the capital of China.