The Bund Metro Station: Avoid Crowds & Find Hidden Exits

Let me guess – you've heard about The Bund, you're excited, and now you're staring at a metro map wondering which station to get off. I've been leading groups through this exact confusion for years. Here is the honest truth: the station officially called "The Bund" doesn't exist. What you actually want is Nanjing East Road Station (Lines 2 and 10). And not all exits are created equal. Miss the right one, and you'll waste 15 minutes walking in the wrong direction. Let me save you that time.

I always tell my clients: the metro is your best bet to reach the Bund, but only if you know which carriage to ride and which escalator to take. Get it right, and you step out onto Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street, then a 5‑minute walk to the river. Get it wrong, and you emerge into a busy road with no clue where the river is.

Which Station Are We Talking About?

Technically, there is no metro station named "The Bund". The closest one – and the one everyone uses – is Nanjing East Road Station (南京东路站). It sits on Line 2 (the east‑west line) and Line 10 (a loop line). Both lines are super convenient: Line 2 connects to Hongqiao Airport and People's Square, Line 10 connects to Hongqiao Railway Station and Yuyuan Garden.

But here's where it gets tricky. The station is huge, with multiple exits spread over a long block. If you're heading to the river, you want to be at the eastern end of the platform. On Line 2, walk towards the front of the train (direction of the river). On Line 10, towards the rear.

I remember once a tourist took Exit 6 by accident, walked ten minutes, and ended up at a blocked construction site. Don't be that person.

Best Exits for The Bund – Not All Are Equal

Let me break down the exits like I do for my groups. I've tested every single one multiple times. Here's the cheat sheet:

Personal tip: I usually tell my groups to use Exit 2 because it's the most straightforward – but if you see the escalator queue longer than 10 people, switch to Exit 1 stairs. Your calves will thank you later? No, actually they won't, but you'll save 3 minutes. Seriously, those 3 minutes matter when you're trying to see the sunset.

From Metro Platform to River View: Step by Step

Okay, let's simulate the journey. You're on Line 2 heading east from People's Square. The announcement says "Next station: Nanjing East Road".

1. Get off and follow the yellow line to the escalator. For Exit 1/2, you want the escalator at the eastern end of the platform (towards the front of the train). The sign says "通向南京东路步行街" (to Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street). Trust that sign.
2. Take the escalator up. You'll pass through a fare gate. With a Shanghai Public Transportation Card or Alipay QR code, it's smooth. With an international credit card? It might fail. I always recommend buying a single‑journey token at the ticket machine (some accept Visa, but not all). Best to use Alipay or WeChat Pay.
3. Exit the station. Exit 1 will put you right on Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street. You'll see the iconic buildings of the Bund straight ahead. Walk east (towards the river) for about 5 minutes – you can't miss the river.
4. Cross the Zhongshan East 1st Road. This is the last obstacle. There are underground passages, but the fastest is the crosswalk at the intersection of Nanjing Road and Zhongshan Road. Watch out for bikes – no joke.
5. You're at the Bund! The promenade stretches north and south. The most iconic view is from the area around the Customs House (the big clock tower).

Total walking time from train to river: about 8 minutes if you use the right exit. Add 5 minutes if you follow the wrong crowd.

Peak Hours at Nanjing East Road Station – My Survival Tactics

Weekend afternoons (2 PM – 6 PM) are brutal. The station gets packed with both tourists and locals shopping. Here's what I do:

• Avoid the main exits 1 & 2 between 4‑6 PM. Instead, use Exit 7. It's one block north, but you avoid the human traffic jam.
• If you're taking Line 2 westbound after 6 PM, the platform can be shoulder‑to‑shoulder. Walk to the very end of the platform (front of the train) – it's usually emptier, and you'll still get on the train.
• Buy your return ticket before you go up to the Bund. The ticket machines at street level often have longer queues than the ones near the platform.

Nearby Spots You Can Reach on Foot

Once you're at the Bund, you're within walking distance of several must‑sees. Distance from the metro station (Nanjing East Road):

I always recommend combining the Bund with a stroll down Nanjing Road to People's Square (about 20 minutes walk) if you have energy. But on a hot day – no way. Take the metro.

Common Mistakes First-Timers Make (And How to Avoid Them)

After dozens of trips, here's what I see over and over:

• Mistake #1: Exiting at the wrong side of the road. I've seen people come out of Exit 4 and start walking west, thinking they're heading to the river. Don't. Remember: the river is east. Look at the sun if you're lost.
• Mistake #2: Relying on international credit cards at the ticket machine. Half the machines don't accept them. Download Alipay before you come, or bring small cash (RMB 10 bills work). The ticket machine accepts 1, 5, 10 coins and bills.
• Mistake #3: Taking the wrong escalator to the mezzanine. Some escalators go up to a shopping alley, not the street. Read the signs. The ones with a green exit sign are for street level.
• Mistake #4: Not checking the last train time. Line 2 ends around 10:30 PM (varies by direction). If you're enjoying the Bund lights, you might miss the last train. I've had to take a very expensive taxi back to the hotel. Check the official Shanghai Metro app or ask the station staff – they usually speak basic English.

I once had a couple who missed the last train because they were taking photos of the Pearl Tower. They ended up paying 80 RMB for a taxi to Jing'an Temple. Don't be that couple. Set an alarm on your phone for 15 minutes before the last train.

Quick Fire Q&A from My Tour Groups