Best Photo Spots at the Bund in Shanghai: A Complete Walking Guide
Where to Take Photos at the Bund
The best photo spots at Shanghai’s Bund include the observation platform for skyline views, Waiboyuan (Bund origin) for architectural shots, and North Bund for crowd-free angles. The main walking route from the Bund observation platform through the heritage buildings to Nanjing Road takes about 2 hours at a relaxed pace with photo stops.
This guide gives you specific locations, what to expect at each spot, and a logical walking route that maximizes your photo opportunities without backtracking.
Why the Bund Is a Photographer’s Paradise
The Bund offers a unique combination that few places in the world can match: historic colonial architecture on one side, and one of the most dramatic modern skylines on the other. The waterfront promenade stretches about 1.5 kilometers along the Huangpu River, giving photographers multiple angles to capture both perspectives.
The observation platform provides the classic shot of the Oriental Pearl Tower and the “three-piece set” of Lujiazui skyscrapers (Shanghai Tower, Shanghai World Financial Center, and Jin Mao Tower). Meanwhile, the heritage buildings along the promenade offer opportunities for architectural photography with details like the SPDB building’s mosaic dome, the Customs House clock tower, and red-brick buildings with glass skylights.
Best Photo Spots Along the Bund
1. Bund Observation Platform
This is the most popular photo spot and the one you’ve probably seen in travel magazines. From here, you get a wide view of the Pudong skyline across the river.
What to photograph:
- The Oriental Pearl Tower with its distinctive spheres
- The three Lujiazui skyscrapers side by side
- The Huangpu River with boats passing through
- Reflections on the water during blue hour
Timing tip: The Bund lights turn on at 7 PM and off at 10 PM. Arriving by 6:45 PM lets you capture the transition from daylight to illuminated skyline.
2. Waiboyuan (Bund Origin)
Located at the northern end of the Bund, this area marks the historical origin of the waterfront. It offers architectural shots of heritage buildings with fewer crowds than the main observation platform.
What to photograph:
- Classical building facades without people blocking the view
- Building details like columns, arches, and historical plaques
- Views looking south toward the main Bund promenade
3. North Bund (Waitan)
North Bund provides a different angle of the skyline and tends to have fewer tourists. This area is particularly good for photographers who want to set up tripods without fighting for space.
What to photograph:
- Alternative skyline angles from a elevated position
- The curve of the river and skyline together
- Night shots with less crowd interference
4. Heritage Building Details
Walk slowly along the promenade and look for architectural details. Some standout subjects include:
- SPDB Building: Look for the mosaic dome ceiling inside
- Customs House: The clock tower is a classic subject, especially when it plays “The East is Red” every 15 minutes
- Peace Hotel: The historic hotel opposite the observation deck offers period architecture
- Red-brick buildings: Several buildings have glass skylights worth photographing from inside
5. China Merchants Steam Navigation Company Entrance
The entrance to this historic building provides a framed view of the skyline and is a popular spot for Instagram shots. Note that access may be restricted during business hours.
6. Golden Bull Square
This open area near the Bund offers another clear view of the skyline and tends to be less crowded than the main observation platform.
7. Zhapu Road Bridge
For photographers who want a elevated viewpoint, this bridge offers a higher perspective of the Bund and Pudong skyline. It’s particularly useful for capturing the full width of the waterfront in a single frame.
Recommended Walking Route
Here’s a 2-hour route that covers the key photo spots in a logical order:
Start: North Bund or Zhapu Road Bridge (45 minutes)
- Begin at North Bund for alternative skyline angles
- Walk toward Zhapu Road Bridge for elevated shots
- These spots are less crowded, so you can take your time setting up
Middle: Bund Observation Platform to Waiboyuan (45 minutes)
- Walk south along the promenade
- Stop at the observation platform for the classic skyline shot
- Continue to heritage buildings for architectural photos
- Enter buildings like the SPDB for interior dome shots when accessible
End: Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street (30 minutes)
- Finish at Nanjing Road for street photography
- Exit via the Nanjing Road underground passage
- This connects naturally to shopping and dining options
Total time: About 2 hours at a relaxed pace with photo stops. Serious photographers may need 3-4 hours.
Night vs. Day Photography
The Bund transforms completely between day and night. Each time offers different advantages:
Daytime advantages:
- Better light for architectural details
- Clearer views of building textures and colors
- Easier to navigate and find specific photo spots
- Less competition for space at popular angles
Nighttime advantages:
- Illuminated skyline is more dramatic
- Blue hour offers the best balance of natural and artificial light
- Buildings on both sides are lit, creating symmetrical compositions
- River reflections become more prominent
Recommendation: If you have time, visit twice—once in late afternoon for building details, and once before 7 PM for the lighting transition.
Practical Photography Tips
Equipment suggestions
- A wide-angle lens (16-35mm range) works best for skyline shots
- A standard lens (24-70mm) handles architectural details well
- Bring a tripod for night shots if you don’t mind carrying it
- Flash helps for photographing building interiors and night portraits
Camera settings for night shots
- ISO 100-400 for best quality with tripod
- Aperture f/8-f/11 for sharp skyline shots
- Shutter speed 2-10 seconds for night exposures
- Shoot during blue hour (just after sunset) for balanced color temperature
Apps that help
- Dazz app: Creates film-effect photos that work well with the Bund’s vintage-modern contrast
- Amap or Baidu Maps: Navigate to specific buildings by name (use Chinese names for accuracy)
- Weather apps: Clear evenings give the best night photography conditions
Getting to the Bund
By metro:
- Nanjing East Road Station (Lines 2 and 10): The standard tourist route, closest to the observation platform
- Yuyuan Station (Line 10): Less crowded alternative, 7-8 minute walk to the Bund
By taxi:
- Tell the driver “Bund Observation Platform” (use Chinese: 外滩观景平台)
- Direct drop-off at the waterfront entrance
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Visiting only once: Day and night offer completely different photo opportunities
- Rushing the route: Give yourself at least 2 hours; serious photography needs more
- Ignoring building interiors: Some of the best shots are inside heritage buildings
- Skipping North Bund: It offers angles you can’t get from the main platform
- Visiting only weekends: Winter offers fewer crowds; summer and holidays are busiest
Quick Reference
| Photo Spot | Best For | Crowd Level |
|---|---|---|
| Observation Platform | Skyline views | High |
| Waiboyuan | Architecture | Medium |
| North Bund | Alternative angles | Low |
| Heritage Building interiors | Details | Variable |
| Zhapu Road Bridge | Elevated views | Low |
| Golden Bull Square | Open skyline shots | Medium |
Summary
The Bund delivers what few waterfronts can: a complete contrast between colonial history and futuristic architecture in a single walk. Plan for at least 2 hours, visit both day and night if possible, and don’t skip the less obvious spots like North Bund and building interiors. The observation platform is the classic shot, but the real variety comes from exploring the full promenade.
Final words
More reading and next steps
That is the main thread of the article. Keep the links below handy, and use the related posts to continue exploring the same topic from a different angle.
Comments