Buildings of the Bund

The Bund (or Waitan) is the grand center of Colonial architecture in Shanghai

A stroll along The Bund in Shanghai will reveal a rich mix of architectural styles that demonstrate the wealth and power of the foreign companies in China at the time.

No. 1     Asia Building  (1916) Style: Baroque.
The Bund’s first mansion and originally the offices of Royal Dutch Shell and Asiatic Petroleum Company.

No.2     East Wind Hotel  (1910) Style: Neo-classical.
Formerly the Shanghai Club for British Nationals. Now a hotel.

No.3     Union Building  (1922) Style: Neo-Renaissance with some Baroque detailing.

No.5     The Nissin Building  (1925) Style: Modern mixed with classical.
Once housed a Japanese shipping company.

No.6     China Merchants Bank Building (1897) Style: Mock Gothic.
One of the oldest buildings on the Bund.

No.7     The Great Northern Telegraph Company Building (1908) Style: Renaissance.
This building housed state-of-the-art equipment in its day including telephones, a tube system for telegrams and a lift!

No.9    The China Merchants Company Building (1901) Style: Neo-Classical

No.12     Shanghai Pudong Development Bank (1923) Style: Neo-Classical.
This building was the second largest in the world at the time. You can see restored ceiling mosaics in the entrance hall.

No.13    Shanghai Customs House (1927) Style: Greek-revival Neo-Classicist.
One of the symbols of the Bund, the Customs House is easily recognised by its clock tower.

No.14    Bank of Communications Building (1948) Style: Neo-Renaissance

No.15    Shanghai Foreign Exchange Trade Centre (1901) Style: Neo-Renaissance

No.16    China Merchants Bank (formerly the Bank of Taiwan) (1924) Style: Western Architectural Style

No.17    AIA Building (formerly the building of the North China Daily News) (1921)

No.18    Chartered Bank Building (1923) Style: Neo-Grecian. Once a grand British owned bank.

No.20    North Building of the Peace Hotel (1929) Style: Art Deco.
Formely Sassoon House. You can’t miss the distinct green copper pyramid roof.

No.23    Bank of China Building (1937) Style: Chinese.
Notable for its flat roof.

No.24    Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (1920) Style: Neo-Grecian

No.26    Agricultural Bank of China (1920)

No.27    Foreign Trade Mansion (1922) Built for Jardine, Matheson & Company who traded in tea and silk

No.28    Shanghai Media & Entertainment Group (1922) Style: Renaissance

No.29     China Everbright Bank (1914) Style: Italian Renaissance style.
Formerly the Banque de L’ indochine Building. The arched gate is of Baroque style.

-Emma McMahon

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