A walk to remember

The Shanghai Municipal Tourism Administration unveiled the "Discovery Tour of the Huangpu Riverside" in January to encourage people to learn more about the city's history while admiring the beautiful scenery the trail has to offer. The tour features five routes located in Yangpu, Hongkou, Huangpu, Xuhui and Pudong districts.

Yangpu — A hark back to the industrial age (2.8 km)

Starting from the Old Huangpu Wharf at Qinhuangdao Road, walk northward along the river and you will arrive at the former site of Ewo Cotton Mills, one of the earliest foreign factories in Shanghai that was built in 1896. The next stop is an even older facility — the Yangshupu Water Plant. Built in 1881, the building looks akin to a British castle. After passing the water plant, you will find the Oriental Fisherman's Wharf, a former fish market that was converted into a business complex comprising a shopping mall, a park and an office building. The tour culminates at the giant cable-stayed Yangpu Bridge.

Huangpu — Discover old Shanghai (3.2 km)

The tour starts from the city's landmark Waibaidu Bridge which lies at the end of the Suzhou Creek. Built in 1908, the bridge was China's first full-steel structure bridge. Heading south, you will enter the Bund area where you will find some 50 Western-style buildings, such as the Old British Consulate, the Shanghai Rowing Club and the famous Peace Hotel. Further down the trail, you will find the Shiliupu Wharf open space, once the biggest and busiest docking area in the city, before ending your tour at a zone for creative industries.

Hongkou — Learn about literature and the history (2.8 km)

This tour also starts from Waibaidu Bridge but it takes you toward the opposite direction of the Bund where the historic Astor House Hotel is located. Pop by the JIC bookstore and browse their collection of books or spend time learning about the history of Jewish refugee in Shanghai at the memorial.

Xuhui — Indulge in the arts at the West Bund (4.1 km)

The tour starts at the Long Museum, which was designed by renowned Chinese architect Liu Yichun, and takes you to places such as Don Gallery, Yuz Museum and the Shanghai Photography Art Center. The riverfront in Xuhui is also called the West Bund, and it is aiming to become a world-class arts path that can rival the Rive Gauche in Paris or the South Bank in London.

Pudong — Feel the energy of modern Shanghai (2.6 km)

The quintessential part of the 23-km trail in Pudong district is the Lujiazui financial area. Stroll along the riverfront and admire the old architectures on one side of the river and the modern skyscrapers on the other. Visit the Oriental Pearl Tower or Shanghai Tower for a breathtaking bird's-eye view of the city.