There is a moment in Shanghai that you should reserve for yourself: standing on The Bund at 7:30 PM, when the LED lights on both sides of the Huangpu River light up. Behind you is a row of 52 Art Deco and Neoclassical buildings from the 1920s — a legacy of the international concession era. In front is Lujiazui with the 632m Shanghai Tower, the Oriental Pearl Tower, and the Jin Mao Tower – three symbols of 21st century Asia.

The Bund is 1.5 km long along the west bank of the Huangpu River. Walking leisurely from the Garden Bridge in the north down Yan'an East Road, you will pass the HSBC Building (1923), the Custom House with the "Big Ching" clock tower that chimes every hour, and the jade-green Peace Hotel where jazz music still plays every night like in the 30s. Each building has a bronze plaque telling its origin story – if you love history, you could easily spend an entire afternoon here.

A must-try experience is the Huangpu River night cruise departing from Chenyi Square, priced at 120–180 RMB/person, lasting 50 minutes. You go up to the top deck of the boat, the river breeze is refreshing, and both banks shine like a giant light painting. This is also the "classic" check-in spot that every international tourist has in their Shanghai album.

Practical note: The Bund is free to enter, open 24/7, but the lights are only on from 7 PM to 10 PM (usually turning off early on Sunday nights). The easiest way to get there is by subway Line 2 or Line 10 to Nanjing Road East station and then a 5-minute walk. This area attracts a lot of tourists, so keep your wallet and bags close. During the holidays on May 1st or October 1st, the crowd can be three times larger, so arrive early before 6:30 PM to secure a spot by the railing for photos.

When the jazz music from the Peace Hotel blends with the sound of the ship horns on the Huangpu River, you will suddenly understand why Shanghai is called the "Paris of the East" – a city that is both nostalgic and vibrant, looking towards the future.

Content compiled by AI. Illustrative image: iVIVU.com. Reference information: Shanghai travel guide – iVIVU & Shanghai Municipal Tourism Administration.