The North Bund offers an open view towards Lujiazui's supertalls and the Oriental Pearl Tower. We recommend it as a less crowded waterfront walk and evening viewpoint than the main Bund.
Waterfront landmarks and architecture
- North Bund silver dome
- At the international cruise terminal riverside green, this silver spherical structure frames an open river view and reflections at blue hour.
- North Bund Riverside Green
- A broad fan-shaped viewpoint facing Lujiazui, with a level riverside path for an evening walk and skyline photographs.
- Grand Halls
- A geometric façade for evening photographs and a symmetrical interior. Visits inside require advance reservation.
- Shanghai Postal Museum
- A historic European-style building with a domed interior and carved columns. We recommend the second-floor terrace and green postbox. Admission has been free; confirm current access.
- Waibaidu Bridge
- A century-old bridge with a view towards the Postal Museum, combining historic steelwork and evening river lights.
- Zhapu Road Bridge
- A single view can include Suzhou Creek, Waibaidu Bridge and the three Lujiazui towers, contrasting old and new Shanghai.
Two waterfront routes
- Sunset route
- International Cruise Terminal, Line 12, exit 3 → Riverside Green and silver dome → west along the river → Grand Halls → Waibaidu Bridge → Zhapu Road Bridge → Postal Museum.
- Full-day route
- Tiantong Road, Lines 10/12 → Postal Museum → Zhapu Road Bridge → Waibaidu Bridge → silver dome and Manner Coffee → Gongping Road or Jinling East Road ferry → Lujiazui or Museum of Art Pudong for the evening.
Coffee and food by the river
- Manner Coffee (riverside)
- Facing Lujiazui, we recommend the second-floor terrace or riverside steps for coffee at sunset.
- Fuhe Noodles
- We recommend pork-liver and kidney noodles in a rich sauce as a filling stop after the walk.
- Jindiao Shengjian
- A local shengjian stop recommended for crisp bases, generous fillings and plenty of broth.
- Avalon Dutton Steakhouse
- Beside the North Bund marina, with panoramic river-facing windows. Reserve a window table for an occasion meal.
Timing, ferries and the journey home
- Metro
- Use International Cruise Terminal on Line 12, exit 3, for the riverside; from the Bund side, Tiantong Road on Lines 10 or 12 is the alternative.
- Arrive before sunset
- We recommend arriving around 16:30–17:00 for sunset and lights at approximately 18:00.
- Ferry times
- We recommend Gongping Road or Jinling East Road piers and the Dongjin line, warning that service generally ends around 21:40. Confirm the current timetable.
- Wind and reservations
- The path is level but windy in the evening. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a layer. Check official reservations for the Grand Halls; we recommend about a week ahead.
- Plan the return
- Cars may be harder to find beside the river late in the evening. Plan your return or travel a few metro stops before requesting one.