Take You Traveling: Home Inns on the Bund, Feeling the Past and Present of the 'Magic City Beach'

On a midsummer night, gaze out over Shanghai's Bund, where East meets West, trends blend with fashion, and urban splendor converges; enjoy a free summer, Go travel now! Take you traveling, take you to experience the bustling night of Magic City Shanghai.

At the Bund in Shanghai, witness the 'Magic City'! The Bund is without a doubt the first must-see spot for anyone visiting Shanghai for the first time. Here, you can feel the story, history, vicissitudes, and dramatic changes of the world's fourth-largest financial center.

To truly understand a city, you must not miss the place where its name originated. When you stand by the Huangpu River, Shanghai's landmark waterway and mother river, watching its surging waters, you might think of the classic TV drama 'Shanghai Tan'. But you may not know that Shanghai's aliases—from 'Shen' to 'Hudu' to today's 'Hu'—have all been closely linked to the Huangpu River over more than 2,200 years. The lower reaches of the Huangpu River were once believed to be the fief of Lord Chunshen during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, hence the name Shen City. Later, due to the river's geographical culture and human charm, it was successively called 'Hu' and 'Du'. It could not be more fitting to call it a 'river of history'. So the deep U-shaped scenery of the Bund and Huangpu River has witnessed the rise of this city and preserved its memories.

The ever-changing Huangpu River mirrors a century of vicissitudes of the Shanghai Bund. From dawn's first light to sunset, and as night falls and the lights come on, there is always a magnetic pull that makes you stop and stare. The clusters of towering skyscrapers are always dazzling, outlining the glittering, magical nightscape of Lujiazui that captivates the surging millions of visitors—this is the 'Magic City'!

But as with all things, one tends to forget history inadvertently. Across the river, one half is a hundred years of history, the other half is a Chinese miracle. Standing on the relics of the past and looking out at today's marvels, you will surely be filled with wonder. Whether you stroll along the 1.5-kilometer Chinese historical and cultural block on the Bund waterfront from Yan'an East Road in the south to the Garden Bridge at Suzhou Creek in the north, or take a Huangpu ferry, a double-decker tour bus, or stand on the viewing platform of the Oriental Pearl Tower, everywhere you go and everywhere you look, you can clearly feel the vibrant pulse of the city.

But do you know that in 1844, the Bund was designated as the British concession, and from then on, the Bund's 'ten-mile foreign field' became the historical imprint of Shanghai's modern urban beginnings.

Even if you visit, we always want to remember something from Shanghai's landmarks. Shanghai has always been home to 'China's tallest building'. When the bell tolls, turn around and you will find the four-faced clock installed in the second half of the 19th century.

That is the 82-meter-high Chinese Customs House built in 1927, and then the 84-meter-high Shanghai International Hotel built in 1934... or the 632-meter-high Shanghai Tower completed in 2019. Over the decades, they have sprung up like mushrooms, continuously refreshing the height of China's skyline. Just like 'Shanghai Height' and NBA star Yao Ming, they are always astonishing and unforgettable. When the 52 classical revival buildings on the Bund, known as the 'Exhibition of World Architecture' for their diverse styles, meet Pudong Lujiazui's landmark Oriental Pearl Tower, Jin Mao Tower, Shanghai Tower, and Shanghai World Financial Center, the modern historical sites of China form a striking contrast with the miracles of China's economic development.

The water of the Huangpu River, the buildings of Lujiazui, the architecture of the old Bund, the long street of Nanjing Road. A few hundred meters' walk from the Bund, once the 'Wall Street of the Far East', brings you to Nanjing Road, the earliest commercial street established after Shanghai opened its port. Extending 5.5 kilometers from the Bund in the east to Yan'an West Road in the west, Nanjing Road is Shanghai's top commercial street. On both sides, malls stand row upon row in bustling prosperity; the architectural styles are diverse, with clock towers, horseback riding buildings, memorial arches, and more. History is everywhere here—even the manhole covers are engraved with different patterns—representative buildings and structures from different periods since Shanghai opened as a port.

Known as China's number one commercial street, it has the nickname 'Ten-mile Nanjing Road, One Pedestrian Street', lined with various time-honored Shanghai shops and malls. 365 days a year, it is almost always crowded with people, a lively and prosperous scene. For a hundred years, it has witnessed countless stories of world celebrities, dignitaries, and the Shanghai Bund. The Paramount Hall dance hall, opened in 1932; Chiang Kai-shek and Soong Mei-ling's wedding at the Yangtze Hotel; the Grand Brightness Theatre, which created countless firsts in Asian and Chinese cinema; the 780-year-old ancient Jing'an Temple; the 'Number One Building in the Far East' Peace Hotel; the classical Jiangnan garden Yuyuan Garden, and more.

Besides, when you come to Shanghai, always bring back some local specialties as gifts: Taikang's retail biscuits, Xinya's Cantonese cuisine and dim sum, Yanyun Lou's Peking duck, Zhenlaoda Fang's smoked fish and fresh meat mooncakes, Shen Dacheng's pastries, Sanyang and Shao Wansheng's southern goods... these time-honored brands beloved by old Shanghainese are well worth savoring.

The Huangpu River, the Bund, Nanjing Road... such a combination is not uncommon in coastal cities of East China. Hangzhou's Qiantang River and Qinghefang, Ningbo's Yong River and Old Bund, Wenzhou's Ou River and Wuma Street, and so on. This is why Shanghai's economy has developed so well. Ocean shipping and trading ports injected strong momentum into the early development of coastal cities, which eventually led to streets forming from port openings and towns from streets, gradually evolving into today's international metropolises. Come to the Bund to witness Shanghai's past and present.

Just a hundred meters from the Bund, Nanjing Road already has a history of 153 years, having traversed from war to peace. Now when you come to Shanghai, unless there's a special reason, you will always come to the riverside to feel its atmosphere!

Nanjing Road has a 153-year history. Its predecessor was 'Park Lane', officially named Nanjing Road in 1865.

In 1908, a tram line was opened on Nanjing Road, with the road surface paved with iron wood.

The first wave of development:

Over the following 20 years, small stalls and shops turned into large department stores, and buildings such as the Peace Hotel, the Four Great Companies, and the International Hotel were built one after another.

The second wave of development:

In the 1990s, new comprehensive commercial buildings were erected along Nanjing Road. It became the pedestrian street that best embodies Magic City Shanghai's history, urban culture, and character of the times. Stretching from Xizang Middle Road in the west to Henan Middle Road in the east, the pedestrian street is 1,033 meters long with a dark red marble screen at each end. Metro stations include East Nanjing Road and People's Square.

Here, you'll find streets named after various Chinese provinces and municipalities: Tianjin Road, Xizang Road, Nanjing Road, and so on.

It features distinctive buildings in different styles blending East and West, with clock towers, horseback riding buildings, memorial arches, and more. History manifests everywhere—even manhole covers bear reliefs of iconic buildings and structures from different periods after Shanghai opened its port. At the same time, old buildings with distinctive historical character are preserved. Where I stayed—和颐至尊 Hotel - Shanghai Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street Branch—was renovated on the basis of an old building constructed in 1937.

The U-shaped window pane design gave me a new perspective on modern hotel architecture. The purple color scheme stands out strikingly on Nanjing Road while adding a touch of mystery. The hotel has a reception area on the first floor, and the golden Chinese character '颐' highlights the brand's essence—nobility. In ancient times, this golden yellow was the color reserved for the royal family. Paired with calligraphy-style logos, it naturally evokes the feeling of a 'national brand' hotel.

The hotel lobby, like many 和颐 hotels, features a tall space and clean lines, giving a sense of grandeur.

Within the Homeinn brand series, 和颐至尊 is positioned as a mid-to-high-end business travel hotel. On Nanjing Road, where luxury hotels abound, its hardware is also excellent—American Kohler bathroom fixtures, British LeoXAO toiletries. Though the rooms are simply designed, the details reflect 和颐至尊's artistic sensibility—grille-textured lampshades evoke the aesthetics of classical Chinese gardens and window lattices; the marble-patterned bedside table is particularly unique. Of course, in the elegant vintage design style, an orange-red armchair and throw pillows embody 和颐至尊's pursuit of guest experience. This is a special year, and Homeinn has selected over 3,000 hotels to launch a 'Rest Assured Hotel' service, with professional, thoughtful, and thorough space disinfection services, plus providing guests with complimentary anti-epidemic supplies, ensuring every guest feels comfortable, secure, and at ease during their stay and travels.

Shanghai's Bund belongs to Nanjing Road by day, and to Huangpu River by night. When the evening lights come on and hunger strikes, seek out the food street—let's go. There are many great restaurants nearby:

Laoda Fang: the most distinctive items are smoked fish and fresh meat mooncakes.

Shao Wansheng: Ningbo-Shaoxing style drunken and preserved foods. Their drunken mud snails and drunken crabs are not only famous in Shanghai but also well-known in Southeast Asia and Hong Kong/Macau. Taikang's retail biscuits, Xinya's Cantonese dim sum, Yanyun Lou's Peking duck, Zhenlaoda Fang's smoked fish and fresh meat mooncakes, Shen Dacheng's pastries, Sanyang and Shao Wansheng's southern goods, the First Food Company's comprehensive range, and more.

Of course, there are other famous old stores:

Cai Tongde: renowned for its self-produced Tiger Bone Papaya Wine and Dongtian Changchun Ointment, it became one of Shanghai's four major Chinese medicine shops and enjoys fame at home and abroad.

Shen Dacheng: known for assembling the best of dim sum and local snacks, hence the name 'Shen Dacheng', especially famous for its rice cakes.

Zhang Xiaoquan: Zhang Xiaoquan scissors can cut silk without leaving a thread.

Duoyun Xuan: famous for dealing in Chinese calligraphy and paintings, as well as the four treasures of the study.

This street can make you the most stylish person in your social circle. After all, as the first commercial pedestrian street since Shanghai opened its port, it carries the Bund impression in the hearts of generations. This summer, if you can't travel far due to special circumstances, why not start a nearby city tour? Slow down and feel the charm of a city. On your journey, you can of course choose from various types of hotels under the group—Taihu Homeinn Town, family-themed Manqu Hotel, trendy and youthful Yunik Social Hotel, etc.—and let the 'Rest Assured Hotels' safeguard your trip. Take you traveling, enjoy a free summer!

Travelogue directory: 1. —The drastic changes of Shanghai Bund, a hundred years of Huangpu River heritage 2. —Ten-mile Nanjing Road, Shanghai's number one street 3. —First visit to Magic City, stay at 和颐至尊 in Puxi, feel 'Ten-mile Nanjing Road' Travel Information Hotel Index Guide Index Flight Index Website Navigation Travel Index Cruise Index Corporate Travel Index Join Cooperation Distribution Alliance Friendly Links Corporate Gift Card Procurement Insurance Agency Cooperation Hotel Alliance Destination and Scenic Spot Cooperation More Join Cooperation About Ctrip About Ctrip Ctrip Hotspots Contact Us Join Us User Agreement Privacy Policy Business License Safety Center Ctrip Content Center Intellectual Property Trip.com Group Algorithm Announcement