Located along the western bank of the Huangpu River, the Bund is one of Shanghai’s most iconic neighborhoods. This fantastic district has entertained thousands of visitors every year since the dawn of the 21st century, as The Bund is home to countless upscale storefronts, galleries, and restaurants. Yet, The Bund’s history extends much farther back from its recent emergence as an international tourist destination. The Bund first rose in prominence as the central entry point for the arrival of foreign commerce into Shanghai during the 19th century. Starting with the British in the 1840s, a few dozen Western nations began establishing many wharves and warehouses in the area. Prior to this moment, The Bund had been little more than a wetland inhabited by a few local farmers. Soon enough, the disparate foreign communities coalesced into one unified town known as the “International Settlement.” The local maritime trade proved to be incredibly lucrative, though, which led to the region’s rampant urbanization. As such, many beautiful office buildings began to emerge that displayed a wealth of unique architectural styles ranging from Beaux-Arts to Neoclassicism. Yet, many of the trade guilds that dominated the local economy gradually gave way to financial institutions that regulated the influx of Shanghai’s foreign trade. Among the most prominent of those entities were the Hong Kong Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) and the exclusive, Chinese-operated Bank of China.

The special fusion of Western and Chinese culture continued unabated during the first few decades of the 20th century. The Bund’s landscape became more distinctive as all kinds of unique architecture surfaced in the neighborhood. Additional immigrants from Europe and the Middle East contributed greatly to this period of urban expansion, the most notable of which was Sir Victor Sassoon. He subsequently erected dozens of buildings that resembled American skyscrapers throughout the neighborhood, including The Cathay Hotel. It was around this time that many in Shanghai referred to the district as “Bund,” which meant “embankment” or “embanked quay.” Its name was largely in reference to its geographic location along the Huangpu River. Yet, the Bund also built a reputation for its thrilling cultural atmosphere, as countless social clubs and dance halls became the site of many exhilarating soirees. Jazz in particular became synonymous with the neighborhood. The Cathay Hotel was the epicenter for its proliferation across the Bund, as its Old Jazz Bar hosted live performances nearly every night. The Bund’s prosperity came to an end with the outbreak of the Second Sino-Japanese War, as the Imperial Japanese Army began occupying Shanghai in the late 1930s. Fortunately, Shanghai—including the Bund—has long since recovered from the war, reemerging as one of China’s most economically vibrant destinations. The Bund has been at the heart of this transformation, offering to modern travelers a wealth of amazing cultural attractions to experience today.

The Fairmont Peace Hotel is divided into two buildings appropriately named as the North and South buildings. Redesigned with Chicago Commercial-style architecture, the two structures are celebrated throughout Shanghai for their timeless architectural elegance. This unique architectural form first emerged in America’s Windy City at the height of the Gilded Age before spreading across the globe to places like China. While no actual “school” existed in Chicago that taught the aesthetic, historians today agree that a common set of design principles unified the city’s architects around the turn of the 20th century. Among the most well-known features of Chicago Commercial-style buildings involved the use of steel frames clad in masonry (usually terra cotta). The reliance upon steel and durable masonry came about following the aftermath of the Chicago Fire of 1871, when most of the city’s preexisting structures were destroyed in the calamity. But the building materials also allowed for architects to install many large plate-glass windows throughout the façade. Called the “Chicago window,” thee fixtures consisting of three-parts centered along a panel that was flanked by two smaller sash windows. The arrangement resembled a grid, in which some spaces projected out from the exterior and formed bay windows.

Yet, the architects within the Chicago Commercial-style school of thought also believed that their buildings should reflect the prosperity and technological progress of the Industrial Revolution. As such, the structures borrowed several powerful aspects of Neoclassical architecture. Chicago Commercial-style skyscrapers were typically divided into the three distinctive sections that have historically formed what is known as the “classical column.” The lowest parts of the building acted as the base, where the most ornate architectural elements appeared. Much of the detailing occurred around the entryways, as well as any nearby windows. The middle floors of the structure often featured far less detail, which functioned as the “shaft” of the column. The grand ornamentation returned toward the final two stories, though, creating what architects called the “capital.” The “capital” was typically defined by its flat roof and brilliant cornice, as well. Many buildings across Chicago brilliantly encapsulated this architectural approach, such as the Reliance Building, the Chicago Building, and the Rookery Building.

Sun Yat-sen, leader of the Xinhai Revolution and First President of the Republic of China (1912)

Charlie Chaplin, renowned actor known for his silent roles in The Kid and A Woman of Paris.

George Bernard Shaw, world-famous playwright known for works such as Man and Superman, Pygmalion, and Saint Joan.

George C. Marshall, 15th Chief of Staff of the United States Army (1939 – 1945)

Empire of the Sun (1987)

The Last Aristocrats (1989)

Center Stage (1992)

Shanghai Triad (1994)

The Music Box (2002)

Leaving Me, Loving You (2004)

White Countess (2005)

The Silent War (2012)

Tiny Times 3 (2013)