North Bund

Stumbled upon North Bund while cycling along the river and ended up staying for two hours. The newly renovated boardwalk has these amazing historical plaques telling the story of the old docks — I’m a history nerd so that was a treat. Plenty of space for cyclists and pedestrians. The only thing missing is a good viewpoint bench facing directly east for sunrise, but overall a solid 5-star experience for anyone who loves urban waterfronts.

Took my parents here during their first trip to Shanghai and they were blown away. The contrast between the historic warehouses and the futuristic skyline across the river is just magical at sunset. We sat on the steps near the cruise terminal and watched the lights come on. Clean, safe, and surprisingly quiet for such a prime location. Highly recommend going on a weekday to enjoy the peace.

Honestly felt a bit let down. Maybe my expectations were too high after seeing all the instagram posts. The area is under construction in several spots, so you’re walking past fences and noise. There’s a nice view of the Pearl Tower, but you can get that from dozens of places along the river. If you have limited time, just stick to the Bund side — more atmosphere, more places to eat. Not worth a special trip right now.

I live nearby and North Bund is my go-to for a morning jog. The path is wide, smooth, and rarely packed compared to the Bund side. Love the industrial-chic vibe of the old docks mixed with modern glass buildings. What keeps me from giving a perfect 5 is the lack of decent cafes or kiosks along the stretch — you have to detour a bit to find a drink. Perfect for a quiet walk though.

Came here on a crisp autumn afternoon and the view across the Huangpu was absolutely stunning — you get the whole Pudong skyline without the Lujiazui crowds. The riverside walk is well maintained, plenty of benches to just sit and watch the ships go by. Only downside: the signage to find the public restrooms is terrible, had to walk almost 15 minutes to find one. Still, one of my favorite spots in Shanghai for photos.

Absolute gem! We wandered into North Bund almost by accident and ended up staying for hours. The combination of the old warehouses, the wide walking paths, and the sweeping river views is just magical at golden hour. There’s a lovely little bookshop café tucked inside one of the historical buildings—perfect for a break. Even the air feels fresher here than in central Shanghai. Can’t recommend it enough.

I cycled along the North Bund path last weekend and it was a solid experience. The dedicated bike lane is a big plus, and the views of the Oriental Pearl Tower are unbeatable from that angle. Only thing is there aren’t many shade trees, so on a sunny afternoon it gets pretty hot. Still, a great route for a morning ride. Would give it a 4 because I wish there were more food stalls nearby.

Came here on a Thursday morning expecting crowds but it was pleasantly quiet. The mix of historic warehouses and modern glass buildings gives the area a unique character. I especially loved the bronze sculpture installation near the cruise terminal—it tells a story about the old shipping days. Perfect spot for photographers or anyone who wants a peaceful break from the city rush. Highly recommended!

The North Bund area is nice but I left a bit underwhelmed. The river view is impressive, sure, but there’s not much else to do unless you’re just walking along the path. The signboards could use better upkeep—some were faded and hard to read. Also, the restroom facilities were pretty sparse. Fine for a quick stroll but I wouldn’t make a special trip again.

I finally made it to North Bund after seeing so many Instagram shots, and honestly it didn’t disappoint. The view of Pudong’s skyline from the promenade is absolutely stunning, especially around sunset when the buildings light up. We grabbed a coffee from a little kiosk and just sat on a bench for an hour watching the boats go by. Clean, well-maintained, and not as crowded as the Bund side. Totally worth the trip.

Hands down my favorite spot in Shanghai to watch the city light up at night. The contrast between the old brick buildings in the foreground and the neon-lit skyscrapers across the river is magical. I brought a takeout dinner and ate on one of the benches—felt like a movie scene. If you're into photography or just want a romantic evening walk, this is it.

What a peaceful escape! I came here early in the morning for a jog and was blown away by the quiet, the fresh air, and the unobstructed view of the Huangpu River. The grass lawns are perfect for a picnic or just lying down. Way less touristy than the Bund, and the historical architecture along the way adds so much character. Loved every second.

Honestly a bit underwhelming. The view of the Pearl Tower is nice, but the whole area felt half-finished when I went—lots of construction fences and closed-off sections. Also, the signage was confusing and I couldn't find a proper restroom easily. Might be better in a year or two, but for now, I'd say skip it and stick to the Bund.

Great spot for a leisurely stroll with a fantastic perspective of the river and the skyscrapers. I loved the mix of old warehouse buildings and modern architecture. Only gripe is that there aren't many food or drink options right along the water—had to walk a bit to find a café. Still, highly recommend for photography lovers.

Absolutely stunning views of the Pudong skyline from the North Bund promenade. We went at sunset and the colors reflecting off the water were unreal. Plenty of benches to just sit and take it all in, and the walking path is clean and well-maintained. A hidden gem away from the crowds on the Bund—definitely a must-do for any Shanghai visitor!

Absolutely stunning! Went there during golden hour and the whole skyline turned pink and orange — pure magic. The promenade is super long so you can walk for ages without feeling crowded. There are even a few food trucks now offering drinks and snacks. The vibe is futuristic yet chill. This is THE place to bring visitors who’ve already seen the classic Bund. 5 stars without hesitation!

I really wanted to love this place because the concept is great — a modern riverside area with art installations and open space. But the reality is a bit rough. Some parts feel unfinished and there's a weird smell from the river on certain days. Also found the signage confusing. It's fine for a quick photo stop but I wouldn't make a special trip. 3 stars from me.

Visited on a weekday evening and it was almost empty — exactly what I needed after a busy work trip. The lighting along the waterfront is beautiful at night, and you can see the Pearl Tower lit up across the river. Sat on a bench for an hour just relaxing. Only downside: there were no public restrooms open nearby. But overall a lovely, peaceful escape.

North Bund has potential but honestly I was a bit underwhelmed. The riverside path is nice and there are some cool modern buildings, but a lot of construction sites still block the view in places. Also not many food options nearby — we had to walk 15 minutes just to find a decent restaurant. It’s okay for a quiet stroll but don’t expect the same vibe as the main Bund.

Came here on a sunny Saturday afternoon and the views of Pudong skyline are absolutely insane. The walk along the promenade is wide and clean, perfect for jogging or just chilling on a bench. We grabbed coffee from a nearby kiosk and watched the ships go by. Definitely one of my favorite spots in Shanghai now — way less crowded than the Bund on the other side. Highly recommend!

Interesting contrast between the old industrial buildings and the glittering towers across the river. The information boards about the history of the docks are a nice touch. Only downside: limited dining options nearby—had to walk 10 minutes for a coffee. Still a pleasant afternoon.

Caught the golden hour here and it was pure magic. The combination of historic warehouses in the foreground and the modern skyline behind creates such a unique vibe. Sat on a stone step by the water and just watched the ferries go by. Perfect date spot or solo contemplation.

Went on a weekend afternoon and it was way too crowded for my taste. The walkway felt cramped, and some people were blocking the photo spots without any awareness. The view is okay, but honestly, the Bund's side is more iconic. Probably won't rush back.

The promenade is nice and clean, with decent viewpoints of both the old and new Shanghai. However, I found the signage confusing and there weren't enough trash bins around. Also, a few more shaded spots would be great on a hot day. Still, worth a short visit.

Stumbled upon North Bund during an evening stroll and was blown away by the skyline view. The way the lights of Pudong reflect on the Huangpu is simply magical. Plenty of benches to sit and soak it in. A must-visit for anyone who loves cityscapes!