Shanghai Bund by night

The Bund awash with light, perfect setting for romance.

The historic Bund where the colonial powers first took a foothold in the old city and built a showpiece of power and glory on the bank of the Huangpu River. Their inroads created a cosmopolitan society hungry for all things foreign, especially western culture. Emerging from the Mao era, the Bund has been restored to its former splendour and more. At sundown, the promenade turns into the world’s largest dance floor with residents in their evening best strutting the Latin and waltzing the Viennese, weather permitting. On the opposite bank towering new edifices of capitalism line the promenade, a sharp contrast to the predominantly neoclassical architecture of the Bund. Dominating them are the futuristic Oriental Pearl Tower, the Shanghai World Financial Centre and the Jin Mao Tower, all beautifully bathed in light. While tourists cruise the river, landlubbers stroll the promenades under the bright city lights that give Shanghai one of the world’s most memorable skylines by night. Others sit watching the world go by, suitably infused in the swanky watering holes.

The iconic Oriental Pearl Tower.

Newly minted towers, some flashing their neon.

A river cruise vessel all aglitter.

Something right out a fairytale book.