Excellent Colonial Architecture at the Bund 外滩
In terms of age, Shanghai is a baby compared to the ancient heavyweight China cities. Shanghai gained prominence only in the last century or two, whereas some Chinese cities have existed for two millennia. As a result, Shanghai doesn’t have a lot of ancient buildings which other cities have in abundance. However, this doesn’t mean that Shanghai doesn’t have any old buildings just not the type of “old” I have been seeing in China. Shanghai was one of the bastions of colonial rule, at a time where foreigners ruled the land, these foreigners set up trading posts in Shanghai and eventually more modern buildings.
Hotel at the Bund 外滩
Shanghai has probably the best example of colonial architecture in this side of the world. Old bank buildings all in a drab brown color bring out the colonial atmosphere here along the bund. In fact, it has become one of the most recognizable landmarks in China. It reminds me of the row of colonial era buildings in Hong Kong only more magnificent. However, it seems that China intends to emphasize its authority over this land was all of them have the familiar red and five stars flags flying over them. Nevertheless, it is a great feeling to be walking along this road, no wonder Shanghai is known as the Paris of the East.
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