Waitan, named in memory of Doctor Sun Yet-sen, pioneer of the Chinese democratic revolution, is 1.5 kilometers long in total from Waibaidu Bridge in the north to East Jinling Road in the south. It runs along the Huangpu River on the east side, while its west side is aligned with 52 tall buildings of various styles: Gothic, baroque etc., from where the Western Powers exercised control over Shanghai's politics, economy, as well as culture in old China. The basic style of these architectures is identical and the overall outlines are in total harmony. Viewing them from afar or strolling among them, one is invariably impressed by their magnificence and grandeur. This "Display of Multi-national Architectures" has become a symbol of Shanghai.

At nightfall, when all the artistic lights decorating the buildings at the Bund are switched on, myriad crystal palaces appear, setting each other off, along with the TV Tower of the Oriental Pearl at the eastern bank of the Huangpu River. Tourists are mesmerized by the view.