Best Hotels Near The Bund in Shanghai: 5-Star, Mid-Range and Budget Hotels

Where should you stay near the Bund? If you want to wake up to river views, the best hotels near the Bund are the heritage properties right on the waterfront (the row of historic buildings along Zhongshan East 1st Road). But if you are traveling on a budget, you can still stay within a 10-minute walk of the Bund for under $100 a night near East Nanjing Road.

Keep reading to find out the best hotels near the Bund Shanghai from 5-star icons to cheap chain hotels, and which side of the river to stay on for a good view.

Best Hotels Near The Bund at a Glance

Where Should You Stay Near The Bund?

So, where is the best place to stay near the Bund? If you are a first-timer we recommend staying right on the waterfront or a few blocks back on East Nanjing Road. Both put the Bund promenade within a short walk. But the right area you choose really depends on your budget and whether you want to be on the Bund or looking at it. That’s what matters!

1. On The Bund (Zhongshan East 1st Road)

Zhongshan East 1st Road (the waterfront road lined with 1920s and 1930s bank and trading buildings) is the Bund itself. The hotels here are mostly heritage luxury properties. You can step out of the lobby and be on the promenade in minutes.

Keep in mind that this is the most expensive area and the promenade gets very crowded in the evenings. 

2. Shanghai Hotels Near Nanjing Road

East Nanjing Road (Shanghai's main pedestrian shopping street) runs straight into the Bund and it is the easiest base for first-time visitors. You will find everything from budget chain hotels to mid-range picks and most of them are within a 10-minute walking distance to the waterfront.

The biggest advantage here is the metro. East Nanjing Road Station is served by Lines 2 and 10. This means you can reach Pudong, People's Square and Yu Garden without transfers. 

However, the street is packed with shoppers and tourists until late so if you are a light sleeper make sure to book a room away from the main road.

3. North Bund and Suzhou Creek

There are newer luxury hotels in the North of the main promenade, where Suzhou Creek meets the Huangpu River. This area is calmer and more residential, and the hotels here tend to have more modern rooms and facilities.

The trade-off is distance. Depending on your hotel, you are a 5-15 minute walk away to the central promenade. 

4. Yu Garden and the South Bund

The area around Yu Garden (a classical Chinese garden in Shanghai's Old City) and the southern end of the Bund is one of the best-value areas in central Shanghai. Hotels in this area often cost less than the ones closer to Nanjing Road.

You will also be close to the Old City's street food and temples with Yu Garden Station on Line 10 nearby. 

Keep in mind that some hotels here have "Bund" in their names but are located 10 to 15 minutes away on foot, so make sure to check the map before booking.

5. Lujiazui (Pudong)

Lujiazui is the skyline you see from the Bund across the Huangpu River in Pudong. If you stay here, you will not be on the Bund but you will look straight at it. Hotels in this area offer rooms facing the historic waterfront which looks impressive when the buildings light up at night.

However, getting to the Bund takes more effort. You will need to take Metro Line 2 one stop to East Nanjing Road or catch a ferry across the river. 

What Are the Best 5-Star Hotels Near The Bund?

So, which 5-star hotels near the Bund are worth the splurge? For the classic heritage experience, the Fairmont Peace Hotel and The Peninsula are the top picks since both sit right on the waterfront. 

However, if you prefer modern design or a quieter base, The Shanghai EDITION and W Shanghai - The Bund are strong luxury alternatives a short walk away.

Tip: Always book a room labeled "Bund view" or "river view." Standard rooms at most luxury hotels here face the city, so you could pay 5-star prices and miss the skyline entirely.

Fairmont Peace Hotel

The Fairmont Peace Hotel sits in the middle of the Bund inside a 1929 Art Deco landmark, and it has hosted celebrities like Charlie Chaplin over the decades. It is the best pick for the old Shanghai atmosphere especially with live jazz at its famous Jazz Bar. 

Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund

The Waldorf Astoria occupies the former Shanghai Club building from 1911 at the southern end of the Bund, with most guest rooms in a newer tower behind it. So, you get the heritage setting, including the famous Long Bar, with modern rooms. Look for Bund-view rooms if the skyline matters to you.

The Peninsula Shanghai

The Peninsula sits directly opposite the Bund, about a 5-minute walk from East Nanjing Road. Its rooftop restaurant, Sir Elly's, has some of the best Bund views in the city, and there is a 25 meter indoor pool. I recommend a riverside room facing the Huangpu River.

The Shanghai EDITION

The Shanghai EDITION is on East Nanjing Road, about a block behind the waterfront, and it leans into design and nightlife. It suits younger travelers who want a stylish rooftop bar and a social scene over heritage charm. Book a Skyline room for Pudong views.

W Shanghai - The Bund

W Shanghai - The Bund is on the quieter North Bund, with modern rooms and indoor and outdoor pools facing the skyline. It is a fun luxury pick if you do not mind a slightly longer walk to the main promenade. Confirm a river view when booking.

Best Mid-Range Hotels Near The Bund

Can you stay near the Bund without paying luxury prices? Yes. Mid-range hotels like Metropolo, Mercure Yu Garden and SSAW Boutique put you within a 5-15 minute walk of the waterfront. 

Hotel Indigo Shanghai on the Bund

Hotel Indigo is on the South Bund, right along the Huangpu River, and it has a more playful, design-led feel than the heritage hotels up the road. It is one of the few hotels in this price range with river-view rooms, which makes it a great value pick for couples. Book a river-view room for the skyline.

The Westin Bund Center

The Westin Bund Center is technically a 5-star hotel, but it is often priced closer to mid-range because it sits about two blocks back from the waterfront. Its spa and fitness facilities are the main draw, and it suits business travelers and anyone who values brand consistency. Some upper-floor rooms have partial Bund views.

Metropolo Classiq Shanghai Bund Circle

Metropolo Classiq is about a 7-minute walk from the Bund, with Yu Garden roughly 800 meters away. It is highly rated by guests (9.5/10) and a solid pick for travelers who want a clean, modern base between the Bund and the Old City.

Mercure Shanghai Yu Garden On the Bund

Mercure Yu Garden is near Yuyuan Garden, within a 5-minute walk of Line 10 (Yuyuan Garden Station) and Line 8 (Laoximen Station). Keep in mind that it is about 1.3 km from the Bund, so expect a 15-minute walk or one metro stop. It is a well-rated, dependable choice for families and first-timers.

SSAW Boutique Hotel Shanghai Bund

Despite its name, SSAW Boutique Hotel Shanghai Bund is not on the Bund. It is about a 12 minute walk away near Yu Garden, and just a 2 minute walk from Yu Garden Station on Line 10. Guests love its spacious rooms, garden restaurant and friendly service, and rooms start from around $115 a night. It is a good pick if you want a quieter boutique stay near the Old City.

Cheap Hotels Near The Bund

If you are looking for cheap hotels near the Bund you can stay within a 10 minute walk of the Bund for as little as $20 to $40 a night at Chinese chain hotels like JI Hotel and HanTing.

However, prices can easily double on weekends and during Chinese holidays, so it is worth booking early.

Important Note: Many budget chains in China only accept a passport as ID for foreign guests. A US driver's license will not work at check-in, so keep your passport on you.

JI Hotel Shanghai The Bund

When people search for "JI Hotel Shanghai The Bund," they usually mean one of several branches since JI Hotel (a popular mid-priced Chinese chain) runs multiple locations near the Bund. The Jinling East Road branch is the most booked of all hotels near the Bund.

So before you book, double-check the branch name in the listing to make sure you land at the one you want.

• JI Hotel (Shanghai The Bund Ningbo Road): 0.42 km from the Bund and popular with families.
  
• JI Hotel (Shanghai The Bund Sichuan Middle Road): 0.45 km from the Bund, with a short walk to East Nanjing Road Station.
  
• JI Hotel (Shanghai The Bund Jinling East Road): 0.65 km from the Bund. It is the most-booked hotel near the Bund on Trip.com and rated 9.2/10.
  
• JI Hotel (Shanghai The Bund Jiujiang Road): About 0.8 km from the Bund and about 300 m from Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street.

Other Budget Picks

• HanTing Hotel (Shanghai The Bund Jiangxi Middle Road) is another reliable chain option, and it was renovated in 2025.
  
• Fish Inn East Nanjing Road is a simple, budget-friendly stay right off the shopping street.
  
• No.1 Youth Hostel (The Bund Nanjing East Road Branch) is minutes from East Nanjing Road Station.
  
• Captain Youth Hostel is another popular backpacker pick with private rooms and dorms.

Which Hotels Near The Bund Have the Best River Views?

Puxi Side (Views of the Pudong Skyline)

• The Peninsula Shanghai: Riverside rooms face the Huangpu River and the Pudong skyline, and its rooftop restaurant, Sir Elly's, looks straight across the water.
  
• Fairmont Peace Hotel: River-view rooms look directly across to Pudong from the middle of the Bund.
  
• W Shanghai - The Bund: Many rooms overlook the Huangpu River from the quieter North Bund.
  
• Hyatt on the Bund: River-view rooms take in both the Bund and the Pudong skyline.

Pudong Side (Views of the Historic Bund)

• Mandarin Oriental Pudong: Sits right on the waterfront across from the Bund, and most rooms face the historic buildings.
  
• Pudong Shangri-La, Shanghai: One of the highest-rated riverfront hotels in Lujiazui, with river views guests often praise.
  
• Grand Hyatt Shanghai: Occupies the upper floors of Jin Mao Tower, so rooms look down on the river and the Bund from high above.
  
• Park Hyatt Shanghai: On the top floors of the Shanghai World Financial Center, with sweeping views of the river and the Bund below.

How Do You Get to Hotels Near The Bund From Shanghai Airports?

From Hongqiao Airport (SHA), the easiest option is Metro Line 2 which takes you straight to East Nanjing Road in about 30 to 45 minutes. From Pudong Airport (PVG), which handles most flights from the US. You can take the Maglev plus the metro and ride Line 2 the whole way, or take a taxi.

Keep in mind that the Maglev (a high-speed magnetic levitation train) does not go downtown. It only runs from Pudong Airport to Longyang Road Station, where you switch to Line 2 for East Nanjing Road. 

Important Note: The Maglev train stops running in the evening so if you land late or have lots of luggage, a taxi or pre-booked transfer would be a better choice.