[4K] The Grand Shanghai 2025: Skyscrapers, the Bund, Old Alleys & the Spirit of the Huangpu River

[4K] The Grand Shanghai 2025: Skyscrapers, the Bund, Old Alleys & the Spirit of the Huangpu River

In the golden light of the afternoon, Lujiazui rises along the banks of the Huangpu River as the beating heart of China’s financial power. This is not just a cluster of skyscrapers— it’s the core of capital flow, decision-making, and global trade. From the soaring Shanghai Tower to the iconic Oriental Pearl and the World Financial Center, each landmark tells a story of ambition and growth. Join me as we step into Lujiazui, the very center of China’s financial engine, and feel the pulse of a city driving the future. Taking a ferry from the Bund to Lujiazui is both a convenient and economical option. Departing from the Bund Approaching Lujiazui Looking back at the Bund across the river Shanghai is China’s economic center, and Lujiazui is its financial heart. Its dense modern skyline showcases the city’s vitality. The “Lujiazui Trio” refers to the 492-meter Shanghai World Financial Center, and the 420.5-meter Jin Mao Tower and the 632-meter Shanghai Tower. The Oriental Pearl was built in the 1990s. Inside are observation decks, a revolving restaurant, a museum, and more. Let’s wander around the mall for a bit. Time to eat at the “Weightless Restaurant.” There are lots of people waiting for a seat. After waiting more than 20 minutes, we’ve finally gotten in. The barbecued ribs I ordered have arrived. Tastes pretty good. Finished dinner, and night has fallen. The skyscrapers look even better once their lights come on. I’m about to take the ferry back to the Bund. As night falls and the city lights begin to glow, Shanghai unveils a different side of its charm along the banks of the Huangpu River. Aboard a river cruise, the breeze brushes past gently, while neon reflections shimmer on the water’s surface. The historic facades of the Bund and the soaring skyscrapers of Lujiazui are outlined in brilliant hues, painting a vivid picture of contrast and harmony. In this moment, Shanghai’s nightscape becomes both dynamic and poetic. Let’s drift with the current and take in the splendor of the city after dark. Boarding a cruise to tour the Huangpu River at night. A gentle breeze brushes my face, and the river mirrors the brilliant lights on both banks. Several companies run cruises on the Huangpu; mine costs 150 yuan per person. Check prices and routes on site before buying your ticket. The cruise slowly leaves the pier. On the left bank stand the stately, elegant buildings of the Bund. On the right bank rise Lujiazui’s modern, austere skyscrapers. History and the future meet upon the river. The Huangpu is not only Shanghai’s mother river but also its most beautiful nighttime stage. The cruise lasts about 45 minutes in total. We’ve now turned around and are heading back. I’m a bit hungry after disembarking, so let’s have some rice noodles. A rooster-pattern bowl—hey, isn’t that an old TVB veteran? 😄 The Bund lines the Huangpu River and is a must-stroll spot for anyone visiting Shanghai. On one side you have historic buildings; on the other, the river and skyscrapers across the way. Standing here, you can clearly see Shanghai’s past and present. The Bund is lively not only by day but even prettier when its lights come on at night. It’s a great place for photos and check-ins. Stepping into Tianzifang feels like opening a door to old Shanghai. Narrow, winding alleys carry the faint aroma of food, and laundry still hangs from the balconies of old lane houses. The past doesn’t seem far away— it hides beneath weathered address plaques and in the small shops tucked around every corner. If Tianzifang preserves the essence of old Shanghai life, then Xintiandi offers a different kind of transformation. Historic Shikumen buildings have been given new life with cafés, bookstores, and restaurants, striking a subtle balance between vintage charm and modern flair. In these streets where old and new intertwine, nostalgia is thoughtfully reimagined— a quiet tribute from the city to its past. “Tianzifang” is one of Shanghai’s historic quarters most representative of traditional lane-style neighborhoods. Its layout took shape mainly in the 1930s. It combines areas of the former French Concession, Shikumen lanes, and alleyway factories. A small shop selling palmiers (butterfly pastries) Palmiers are one of Shanghai’s signature snacks. The district’s architectural styles are very diverse. It concentrates buildings from every phase of Shanghai’s evolution—from rural village to concession era to modern metropolis. Traditional residences, new-style lane houses, old-style lanes—you name it. Definitely worth a visit. This T-shirt shop looks fun. So cute—cartoon versions of the Chinese zodiac. White Rabbit milk candy—another Shanghai specialty. It was a coveted sweetness in times of scarcity. Ah, a cute kitty ❤️ So beautiful. Xintiandi is another uniquely characteristic district in Shanghai. It merges old Shanghai Shikumen architecture with modern, stylish living. The area preserves its historic look while housing upscale restaurants, cafés, boutiques, and bars. Strolling here feels like turning back time. As if you’re in 1920s-30s Shanghai. Nighttime in Shanghai always casts a mesmerizing spell. In the old streets of Yu Garden, red lanterns sway gently, and mist curls around the Nine Bend Bridge, as if time has turned back to a softer, more tender past. Yet just a short walk away, Nanjing Road dazzles with neon lights and bustling crowds— its shop windows glowing with the rhythm and desires of a modern city. The charm of old Shanghai and the splendor of the metropolis meet here in the dark, creating a tension that I find captivating. Perhaps this contrast is what makes night-time Shanghai so enchanting— both grounded in everyday life, yet brilliantly radiant. Old Street of Yu Garden is a traditional commercial district adjacent to Yu Garden. It features numerous faux-ancient buildings with upturned eaves, red columns, and gilded tiles—truly eye-catching. Shops line both sides of the street. Everywhere you see traditional crafts, creative souvenirs, and time-honored restaurants. So beautiful—no wonder so many people are taking photos. It looks positively ethereal. Nine-Turn Bridge is Yu Garden’s famous ancient bridge and a top photo spot for visitors. Although there are only seven bends from the pond edge to Huxin Pavilion, it is called “Nine-Turn” because the number nine symbolizes good fortune in Chinese culture. In the center of the pond stands a graceful lotus fairy carved from white marble. With pavilions and mist over the water, it’s like a fairyland. Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street is one of Shanghai’s busiest areas. It runs from People’s Square to the Bund, lined with malls, old shops, and plenty of snack stalls. People stream along the street. Walking here, you can feel the city’s vibrant energy. Cross this street and you’re at the Bund. Amid the hustle and bustle of downtown Shanghai, the golden glazed roofs of Jing’an Temple stand out strikingly among the towering skyscrapers. Ancient yet far from silent, the temple is surrounded by the flow of traffic outside and shrouded in fragrant incense within, offering a rare moment of serenity. Just across the street lies Jing’an Park— a modern urban oasis filled with greenery and scattered sculptures. Facing each other across the road, the temple speaks of Shanghai’s history and spiritual roots, while the park reflects the city’s present rhythms and moments of pause. One looks to the past, the other to the future— perhaps this is the quiet dialogue between a thousand-year-old sanctuary and a city of modern wonders. The golden roof peeking between skyscrapers is Jing’an Temple. Jing’an Temple was first built in AD 247 during the Three Kingdoms period. Over the millennia it has suffered multiple destructions. Restoration began in 1984 and was largely finished by 1990. The pair of lions in front of the temple look imposing. The lioness teases her cub while the male lion treads on an embroidered ball. The Main Hall is a 26-meter-tall teak mortise-and-tenon structure. Its copper-tiled, gilded roof gleams in the sunlight. Inside stands a 15-ton solid-silver statue of Shakyamuni Buddha. Illustration of the Buddha’s Eight Phases Faint chanting and the light scent of sandalwood drift through the air. They make you almost forget you are in downtown Shanghai. The three-sided lion symbolizes the passage of time and the cycle of life. Just as this ancient temple shows us a gaze upon the past millennium and hopes for the future. A white-jade statue of Shakyamuni is also enshrined in the hall. The Stone Dharma Banner stands to the east of the main gate. It is carved from a single block of granite. Step outside Jing’an Temple and the scene shifts instantly back to a modern metropolis. We’re now heading to nearby Jing’an Park for a stroll. Jing’an Park faces the temple across the street, less than 100 meters away. It’s an urban garden for leisure and exercise. In ancient times the temple and its surroundings boasted eight scenic spots known as the “Eight Views of Jing’an.” During the 1998 renovation, Jing’an Park distilled the essence of those eight views into its Eight-Scene Garden. Life moves in cycles. Toddlers taking their first steps may be the city’s gentlest hope. The rhythm of the city pulses between skyscrapers and streams of traffic. But real life often hides in the unnoticed corners. People’s park is where many locals walk, exercise, or even join blind date meetups. There’s nothing flash.y about it, yet it offers some of the most genuine scenes of daily life. leaving the park and cycling through the city’s streets and alleys, streets you’ll find that even the moments untouched by the spotlight can be quietly beautiful. People’s Park sits in one of the busiest parts of central Shanghai. Inside, leafy trees, broad paths, and lakes abound. At the park’s “marriage market,” parents anxious about their children’s weddings gather. They come with “resumes” of their children, hoping to find them a spouse. Leaving People’s Park, the street’s bustle hits you at once. Let’s take a casual look at real life on Shanghai’s streets. Parents picking up their kids from school form a long line. Finally, we’ve arrived at the Shanghai History Museum. Here we’ll trace the history of this magical city. The museum has an East and a West building. The East Building with its large clock was once the Shanghai Race Club building. Completed in 1934, it has stood center-stage witnessing Shanghai’s changes. Next to it, the West Building is an old structure in classic British style. It has been restored to its 1925 appearance. Entering the East Building This sedan chair required eight bearers and was known as an “eight-man palanquin.” “Ancient Shanghai” gallery The Majiabang culture was a Neolithic civilization in the lower Yangtze region. Its people are considered the earliest inhabitants of Shanghai. The sand-hauling junk is one of China’s “Four Ancient Ships.” It was once Shanghai’s most important shipping vessel. This bronze bell was used in major ceremonies such as Confucius worship. This is a Phoenix bicycle that was popular across China from the 1960s to early 1980s. It was one of the big-ticket items every household dreamed of owning. “Modern Shanghai” gallery This copper cannon, cast in 1841, is a local artifact from the Opium War. This vessel is a famed British tea clipper from the twilight of the sailing-ship era. It was mainly used to transport Chinese tea. On Newspaper Street in old Shanghai (today’s Wangping Road), a stretch of less than 200 meters once housed dozens of newspaper offices. It was once China’s hub of information and public opinion. In 1874 (late Qing), rickshaws were introduced to Shanghai from Japan. By the early Republic, rickshaws had become fashionable in major cities such as Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, and Hankou. On stage a famous Peking-opera excerpt, “Farewell My Concubine,” is being performed. Leaving the East Building to get some fresh air Skyscrapers surround the museum. Continuing the visit These are a pair of lions that once stood outside HSBC in 1923. As the city lights shimmer across the Huangpu River, we leave behind a Shanghai both ancient and modern— where temples whisper history, and towers reflect the future. But beyond what we’ve seen lies even more: quiet mornings, hidden flavors, untold stories waiting in the corners of this vast city. What we captured is only a glimpse. The real Shanghai is endless, layered, alive. Until next time—thank you, Shanghai.

From the towering skyline of Lujiazui to the nostalgic charm of old Shanghai alleys, from the shimmering Huangpu River at night to the urban rhythm around Jing’an Temple — this video invites you on a journey through a city where modernity meets history: Shanghai.
In this in-depth 1.5-hour documentary, we explore both iconic landmarks and everyday corners of the city. Starting in the financial hub of Lujiazui, we take a night cruise along the Huangpu River, wander through historic alleys and Yu Garden, stroll Nanjing Road and visit Jing’an Temple. We then explore parks and hidden streets, before ending at the Shanghai History Museum, painting a vivid portrait of the many faces of Shanghai.
If you’re passionate about China, urban culture, or travel exploration, this film is not to be missed!
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💡 About Shanghai
Shanghai is one of China’s four municipalities directly under central government administration, and a global megacity. Covering a total area of 6,340.5 square kilometers, it had a permanent population of 24.8 million by the end of 2024. The magnolia is the city’s official flower.

✨ Featured Locations ✨
🌇 Lujiazui
Located in Pudong, Lujiazui is one of China’s most iconic financial districts. Home to numerous skyscrapers including the Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai Tower, Jin Mao Tower, and Shanghai World Financial Center, it showcases the futuristic face of the city.

🌉 Huangpu River
The Huangpu River flows through the heart of Shanghai, stretching over 100 kilometers. It separates the modern skyline of Pudong from the historic charm of Puxi. A night cruise along the river is one of the best ways to experience Shanghai’s stunning contrast between old and new.

🏘️ Tianzifang
Nestled in the former French Concession, Tianzifang is a creative district transformed from a historic alleyway. Preserving its Shikumen (stone-gate) architecture, it features art studios, boutique shops, cafes, and quirky restaurants — blending the warmth of old Shanghai with a vibrant, artistic atmosphere.

⏰ Chapter Guide
00:00:00 Highlights
00:00:34 The Heart of China’s Finance: Lujiazui
00:14:06 Night Cruise on the Huangpu River: A Glimpse of Prosperity
00:21:57 Deep in the Alleys: Old Shanghai
00:42:03 The Bustling Streets: Yu Garden & Nanjing Road
01:01:29 Time in Dialogue: Jing’an Temple and the Modern City
01:16:36 Parks and Backstreets: Discovering Another Side of Shanghai
01:27:34 Shanghai History Museum