If you search for “Shanghai” online, you will see exactly one picture: The Bund (外滩, Waitan). It’s the famous waterfront promenade facing the Pudong skyline, and it is absolutely breathtaking.

However, on a Saturday night, The Bund can feel less like a relaxing stroll and more like a crowded rock concert. Navigating it can be stressful if you don’t know what you’re doing.

Here is my field-tested guide to getting the best photos without losing your mind.

Step 1: The Best Time to Go (Timing is Everything)

  • The golden hour: arrive about 45 minutes before sunset. You’ll catch the fading daylight, and you will see the Pudong skyline light up exactly at sunset — the city lights come on around 6:30 PM–7:00 PM depending on the season.
  • The weekday rule: avoid Friday and Saturday nights at all costs. Sunday to Thursday is far more manageable.
  • The morning alternative: if you want zero crowds, go at 7:00 AM. It’s just you, the locals doing Tai Chi, and the morning mist over the river.

Step 2: How to Get There (Do not take a taxi)

The traffic around the Bund is a nightmare. Take the Metro.

  1. Get off at East Nanjing Road Station (Line 2 or Line 10).
  2. Take Exit 2 or Exit 3, and walk east along the pedestrian street (Nanjing East Road) for about 10–15 minutes.

Pro tip: turn right

When you hit the river, turn right (south). Most tourists turn left and bottleneck near the main viewpoint. Walking right towards Yan’an Road usually gives you far more breathing room.

Step 3: Where to Take the Best Photos

You don’t need a professional camera — your phone will do fine. Here are the best angles:

  • The classic view: anywhere along the main promenade, looking straight across the river.
  • The raised platform: there is an elevated viewing deck on the southern end near Yan’an Road that lifts you above the heads of the crowd.
  • The “hidden” balcony: go inside the Fairmont Peace Hotel (the green-roofed building on the corner of Nanjing Road). Walk to the lobby, act like a guest, and find the small outdoor terrace. It’s quiet, it has a view, and you can order a drink at the bar.

Step 4: What to Avoid (Tourist Traps)

  • The “Polaroid guys”: people will approach you selling instant photos, “tea ceremonies” or “art gallery tours”. Firmly say “No, thank you” and keep walking. Do not follow them.
  • The VIP cruise touts: street sellers offering $50 “VIP boat tickets” are a rip-off. If you want a river cruise, book a legit ticket online in advance.
  • Cheap restaurants on the Bund: the restaurants right on the river are incredibly expensive — you are paying for the view. Walk 10 minutes away from the river into the side streets for much better, cheaper food.

⚠ Crucial Tips Before You Go

  • Bathrooms: public toilets are available along the promenade (follow the signs), but the lines can be long. Use the bathroom in a nearby mall or hotel before you go.
  • Weather: the Bund gets very windy in winter and incredibly hot in summer. Dress accordingly.
  • Going across the river: to reach the Pudong side (the skyscrapers), take the Sightseeing Tunnel — a very retro, trippy train ride under the river — or the public ferry, which costs just 2 RMB.

Fitting the Bund into your trip

The Bund works best as an evening stop on a Shanghai day. See it in the 10-day Shanghai itinerary, or sort your payments first with the Alipay setup guide.