Shanghai II - The Bund

The Bund (pr. bunned) is an very old financial district that sits on the shore of the Huangpo in central Shanghai, it is where all of the old aristocrats, foreign businesses, and bankers hung out. The east shore is lined with old european style banks atop which you can find many posh patio bars and cafes where you can enjoy the view.
Across the river is Pudong free economic zone (pictured). It is an area that was built up over the last decade and has brought in billions USD of foreign investment. The best thing to do after a long day of walking around and sightseeing is to get a good seat in one of the roof top patios, help yourself to two for one Tiger pints and watch the sun set and the other side of the river light up. Absolutely breathtaking!!

The bund itself is named after for the Persian word band which means damn or embankment. It is basically a mile or so walkway along the east side of the river and is usually swarming with tourists. It is really weird to see the contrast between both shores. The modern almost Jetson family-like architecture of the Pearl TV tower which looks like it is about to take off into space on the west bank and the stone pillars and baroque buildings flanked by dark side roads on the west.

Considering PRC ideology which condemns the evil "running dog" capitalists of the West and praises the integrity and strength of the common peasantry, it is a little out of place. China is a land of definite contrasts.