West Bund Art Center

Overview

The West Bund is a 10-kilometer riverside cultural corridor on the former site of the Shanghai Cement Factory and Longhua Airport. It has become China's most ambitious contemporary art district, housing branches of major international and domestic institutions.

Highlights

• Long Museum West Bund: One of China's largest private museums, with a stunning concrete vault designed by Liu Yichun.
• Yuz Museum: Founded by Indonesian-Chinese collector Budi Tek, featuring contemporary installations.
• West Bund Art & Design Fair: An annual fair (November) drawing major international galleries.

History

The West Bund redevelopment was initiated in 2012, transforming derelict industrial land into a rival to London's South Bank. The old airport runway has been converted into a public park and art walk.

Visitor Tips

• Art Weekend: Save the West Bund for a half-day dedicated art outing.
• Bike Path: A dedicated riverside bike lane connects all the museums.
• Duration: 1.5–2 hours for two museums.