“Asian Review 003” Shanghai part3
The Bund – Renovation of the modern buildings and the underground through traffic Maupassant, the famous poet in France has an episode. When he was asked why he often goes to the restaurant on the 1st floor of the Eiffel Tower, he answered: “Because this is the only place in Paris where I do not have to see the Eiffel Tower.”
If I was asked for the best place to see the night view in Shanghai, I would recommend the rooftop restaurant of the Bund No.3 or the Bund No.5. Of course, there are observation rooms and hotel lounges on the upper floor of Jin-Mao Tower, Shanghai World Trade Center and Shanghai Tower, these places cannot be recommended because you cannot see these three towers that represent Shanghai. Seeing the skyline woven by the three towers and the surrounding high-rise buildings around 150 meters’ in height from the opposite side of the river is excellent. If you sit down at a table located at the right spot during twilight time, and seeing the buildings’ illuminations light up one after another, you will realize that you are at a place with world-class value.
Personally, I do not enjoy the view from the upper part of these high rise buildings because the ground is too far, and the people and the cars cannot be seen. I suppose it is most suitable to see cities from 20 meters to 30 meters in height. When you stand on the rooftop terrace of the restaurant in Bund No.3 or Bund No.5, you can see the buildings as if they are asserting on their own behind the cruise ships sailing along the Huangpu River. Moreover, as you approach the North side, you can also see the Peace Hotel and banks lined up along the curved road of the Bund, the Garden Bridge, the Broadway Mansion and so on.
The road which those modern buildings of the Bund is facing is one of the ring roads of Shanghai called Zhong-Shan East Road 1 and the traffic volume is quite heavy. In the past, this street divided the city center blocks and the highest walkway along the river. However in 2010, the main traffic lanes were constructed to go underground which widened the sidewalks and made the street easier to cross. The traveling speed of the vehicles improved greatly as well.
Each building in the Bund is renovated and some of them have restaurants, galleries, brand shops, and etc. The exterior of the buildings are conserved well and are maintaining the appearance of “good old Shanghai”.
