Shanghai! Shanghai!

From colonial buildings to mesmerising sights, a visit to this Chinese city, and especially The Bund, is a walk into a romantic past

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 threehour 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 cobblestoned 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 the waterfront 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 Yuanmingyuan Road 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 eyes now feast on beautiful, old Shanghai. Those historic buildings take our breath away. We didnt 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 very much French 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! czar-lina@nst.com.my

The Bund at night is a sight to behold. Also called Waitan, the Bund is a famous waterfront on the west bank of Huangpu River that holds sights of Shanghai’s centuryold buildings on the west bank and bustling ultra-modern buildings of Lujiazui in Pudong District.

PICTURES BY ZALINA MOHD SOM TOP: The former British Consulate at No. 33 is the last in the row of 23 waterfront heritage buildings on the Bund. But it is the oldest of the lot. It dates back to the early formation of the Bund, hence its new name - “No. 1 Waitanyuan” which means the “origin of the Bund”. RIGHT: How the 111-year-old Gibb, Livingston & Co. Building looks then and now. Known in Chinese as Jinkee or Renji, it was one of the most important and best-known foreign trading firms in China. This building located at Dianchi Road was opened in 1844.

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE:Tree-lined boulevards, colourful buildings and grand French villas make you feel that you are in France; The old Shanghai takes you back in time. Chinese heritage buildings at the Yuyuan Garden and Bazaar make for Instagrammable moments that will get you more ‘likes’; a humble halal restaurant away from the touristy area of Yu Garden. Considered as fast-food restaurants by the locals, they usually offer Chinese noodles or lamian. Local halal restaurants are abundant and not difficult to find. You just need to get good directions (hint: Google Maps).

LEFT:The ultra-modern Oriental Pearl Tower or popularly known as Pudong Tower, seen from Nanjing Street with the HSBC building at the foreground. The six-floor neo-classical HSBC building was once called “the most luxurious building from the Suez Canal to the Bering Strait”.

A tree-lined pedestrian walkway in the centre of French Concession area. It is said to be one of the most attractive areas to wander around in Shanghai. With wide boulevards and alleys and beautiful European-styled buildings, you won’t feel that you’ve been walking for hours! RIGHT: