The Bund at Shanghai

This is indeed a trace of past empires.

The Bund was the heart of the International Concession, which was forced on China after the First Opium War 1840-42, when four Treaty Ports were opened up - one of which was Shanghai.

The buildings along the Bund were the commercial heart of Shanghai, which was the World's third most important financial centre in the 30s.

From left to right here, you can see the former North China Daily News Building, the Chartered Bank of India, Australia and China, the former Palace Hotel, the Peace Hotel built by Sir Victor Sassoon and the Bank of China.