Early Morning Kite Flyers on the Bund in Shanghai

Plan your Shanghai tour? Walking on the Bund is basically one of your  must-to-do things on your first trip to Shanghai. Strolling along the promenade allows you to have a clear view of the magnificent Pudong Skyline.

Come here in the evening before 11:00 pm for the glimpse of the illuminated skyline of high and futuristic buildings, a surreal scene you cannot find anywhere else.

If you prefer to have a less crowded promenade on your own, come here in the early morning! You will be rewarded with viewing the interesting activities like kite flying, tai chi practicing, jogging and photo taking and the sunrise if you hit a nice weather.

Most of the early morning kite flyers are local retirees. They fly kites for fun as well as for the purpose of alleviating neck pain (cervical spondylotic myelopathy). They bring their own hand made kites which are various in type – bird-like, classical diamond, centipede-like and more unique and creative shapes of kites.

Mr. Zhao says to me that he has been flying kites for 8 years on  the Bund. Even though today is not a good time to fly a kite due to a weak breeze. He takes out a spool of strings and the paper made centipede-like kite. He even doesn’t bother to ask a buddy to hold his kite, simply leaving the kite on the ground and start to run for propelling the kite.

Mr. Zhao takes out his kite and the spool of strings.
Mr. Zhao takes out his kite and the spool of strings.

Looking at the sky, Mr. Zhao says today is not a good time for flying a kite with little wind.

 Today is not a good time for flying a kite with little wind.
Today is not a good time for flying a kite with little wind.

He even doesn’t bother to ask a buddy to hold his kite, simply leaving the kite on the ground.

Placing his kite up on the ground.
Placing his kite up on the ground.

He starts to run to give the air lift to his kite, propelling his kite higher up despite of the weak breeze.

He starts to run to give the air lift to his kite1
Flying higher and higher.
Flying higher and higher.

There are many kite flyers with various kinds of kites.

Flying a kite with the backdrop of the Pudong Skyline.
Flying a kite with the backdrop of the Pudong Skyline.
A flying down kite intrigues a dog walker.
A flying down kite intrigues a dog walker.

The old man proudly shows his hand made kite with along tail written in Chinese characters meaning “Study hard and make progress everyday”, a slogan made for his grandchildren.

Proudly showing his kite.
Proudly showing his kite.
Flying an eagle-like kite.
Flying an eagle-like kite.

Add-on

How to Visit the Bund in Shanghai
Historic Buildings on the Bund in Shanghai
Foggy Pudong Skyline at Sunrise, Shanghai
The Bund and Small Pool of Rainwater
Early Morning Kite Flyers on the Bund in Shanghai
Evening View of the Bund and Pudong Skyline Shanghai
The Bund at Night pictures
Huangpu River Cruise Ticket Booking
Ferry from the Bund to Pudong
How to Visit Lujiazui in Pudong


Hassle-free Shanghai Guided Tours

If you don’t want to go the do-it-yourself bus route and prefer the hassle-free escorted tours,  here are some options for guided tours to Shanghai:

Shanghai Tour
Shanghai Day Tour
Shanghai Multi-Day Tour
Shanghai Evening Tour
Shanghai Cruise Port ( Transfer& Excursions )
Shanghai Beijing Tour
Shanghai Xian Tour
Shanghai Car Rental with Driver

Further Readings


Top 10 Attraction in Shanghai
Shanghai’s Top 10 Iconic Landmarks
Top 10 Markets in Shanghai
Top 10 Shopping Malls in Shanghai
Top 10 Things to Do at night in Shanghai
Best Places for Autumn Leaves in Shanghai
Top 10 Things to Do in Winter in Shanghai
Top 10 Souvenirs in Shanghai
Top 10 Photo Spots in Shanghai
10 Non-Touristy Things to Do in Shanghai

Any questions, just drop a line.

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