Shanghai's Huangpu riverfront used to be closed off by docks, shipyards and industrial gates. In the 2010s both banks were progressively opened, and Pudong now has a continuous waterside path - the East Bund - running along the eastern bank for a good distance, past the Lujiazui towers, the former shipyards and warehouses, and out towards the Yangpu bridge. It is flat, separated from road traffic, and free of charge, which makes it the best cycling in central Shanghai.
The ride
A comfortable half-day route runs north to south, or south to north, along the eastern bank: start near the Yangpu bridge and ride down past the old industrial waterfront, the converted shipyard slips and the dockside cranes kept in place as monuments, then on into the glass and steel of Lujiazui, where the Oriental Pearl Tower, the Jin Mao Tower and the Shanghai Tower rise directly behind the path. The whole line takes a couple of hours at an easy pace with stops, and there are bridges and ferries at intervals if you want to cross to Puxi and come back on the other bank.
Bikes and infrastructure
Dockless shared bikes from the main Chinese operators are parked at access points along the path and cost a few yuan per hour, but they are unlocked through a Chinese app and require a local phone number and payment method. Hotels and a few rental shops near the river rent bicycles by the day against a passport deposit, which is simpler for short visits. The path is paved, lit and busy in the evenings with runners and families, so ride slowly in the sections where pedestrians have priority.
Practical notes
The riverside path connects to metro stations at several points, so you can ride one way and get the metro back. Evening is the best time: the towers on both banks are lit and the temperature drops, and the promenade around Lujiazui is at its most animated. Winter wind off the water makes the exposed sections cold, and summer afternoons are humid; spring and autumn are the ideal seasons. Carry water, since the cafes are concentrated near the Lujiazui end.
