Who would have thought that there was a place in Shanghai which was green, peaceful and clean(ish). On the South Bund there is plenty of room to walk, throw a risbee, fly a kite and pitch a tent. On a warm spring day, there are fewer nicer places to hang out. Apart from the massive industrial cranes, there are cafes, art galleries, a riverside walk and a skate park. 
But for me, the best part is sitting watcing the boats go past. I am constantly surpised by the amount of commercial vessels that go and down the river. It’s like a motorway and it’s quite a relaxing pastime, as other people clearly find. There were numerous locals sitting on the grass, shading themselves under the trees or sitting on the metal work of the bridge watching the life on the river.
In fact, it’s such a great place to spend a day that I have decided to have my birthday party there next weekend. It’s going to be a picnic with tents and games, wine and beer and a bit of people and boat watching. My first Shanghai birthday party!
If you’re feeling like you need an art fix, you can continue down the river towards the area called the West Bund where you will find Shanghai Centre of Photography which is excellent and cheap to enter.