24. The Bund ( 外滩) The Bund is a wide boulevard on the bank of the Huangpu River. It is about 1.5 kilometers long. There are many western-styled buildings standing along the bank. They used to be the political, economic and cultural headquarters of some western countries. It was nicknamed as the Chinese Wall Street in the old days. The history of the Bund could be considered (as) the epitome of the history of modern Shanghai. Now contrasting magnificently with the skyscrapers on the other side of the river, it has become China’s most typical area with a wonderful blend of oriental and occidental cultures and a striking contrast between the past and the present. A visitor to Shanghai cannot possibly feel the pulse of the present era of the city if he or she does not have a look around the Bund.