the City of Shanghai  Photos by Liu Chi

Shanghai, the economic and business centre of China, has made its fame as a 24 hour city. The Bund, situated in the central part of Shanghai on the west bank of Huangpu River, is the most prosperous region in Shanghai and is nicknamed as “Shanghai's Wall Street� Facing the wide Huangpu River, the mother river of Shanghai, it is the most magnificent landscape in this Oriental Metropolis.

The Bund used to be the political, financial, business and cultural centre for western forces in Shanghai. The consulates of many foreign countries were set up in this region. As early as in 1845, the Bund was made part of the English Concession. Many foreign banks and enterprises were established there, making Shanghai an important financial centre in the Far East at that time. Since the beginning of the 20th century, a large number of western buildings rose up from the Asian earth.

Among them, The Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation building, built in 1925, was the most eye-catching piece of architecture. Now it is the Pudong Development Bank. Built in the classical style, it is crowned by a large dome. A completely steel structure, the exterior of the building adopts classic brick and stone structure while the interior is classical: Ionic columns and caisson ceiling. The interior is luxuriously decorated with marble posts, fireplaces and floors. It is also equipped with a central heating system and the most advanced air-conditioning facilities.

Bund No 3: The Shanghai Club

The Shanghai Club, established by English residents in 1861, used to be an important social intercourse place. It was rebuilt in January, 1910 on the site of the old building. 6 Ionic columns were added to the middle part between the second and third story, which created a three-dimensional effect. The Ionic orders, Baroque ceilings and elaborate decorations enhance the artistic beauty and define the building as a representative work of English Renaissance.

Bund No 13: The Customs House

The Customs House was finished in 1927. Its architectural style is a combination of European classicism and modernism. The Greek-style Ionic columns can be easily seen in the front of the main entrance. On top of the building stands a clock tower, designed along the lines of Big Ben in London. It is the biggest clock tower in Asia. At night, the tower is ablaze with light and the hands of clock can be clearly seen from quite a distance away, while the sound travels across kilometers of Shanghai bustle. Now the Customs house is on the list of historic sites under national protection.

Although these classical-style buildings were neither designed by one designer nor constructed during the same period of time, they more or less share the same architectural style. The coordinated outline reflects a sense of luxury and elegance. The architecture on the Bund has been nicknamed a “World Architecture Exposition�and is considered to be a part of human cultural heritage.
(Text by Wei Tong Polisher: Connor Checker: Liu Yudan)

source: crienglish.com