Over the Top Luxury Still in Fashion at Shanghai's 3 On the Bund

Where: No. 3 The Bund, Shanghai, China

January 8, 2009 at 1:03 PM | by JetSetCD | 0 Comments

When planning a trip to cultural hotspot Shanghai, you will invariably encounter the the simple yet enigmatic name of the city's most luxurious shopping and dining destination, 3 On the Bund. Occupying the stately Union Building on Shanghai's Bund, a thoroughfare running alongside the Huangpu River, No. 3 began welcoming the moneyed locals and well-heeled tourists back in 2004.

At first, No. 3 was a revolutionary repurposing of one of the Bund buildings, the strip of which had fallen from grace over the years and were rapidly descending into disrepair and vacant space. After the introduction of upscale dining with M on the Bund and the Shanghai Gallery of Art, the Michael Graves-designed spaces filled up with 5-star tenant after 5-star tenant.

Perhaps the biggest coup for 3 On the Bund was securing China's third Giorgio Armani store, this one becoming China's flagship of 1,100 square feet and equipped for fashion shows. After Giorgio, the literal flood of luxury continued with the addition of an Evian Spa, only the second such clinic after the original in France. A single detox treatment here, consisting of a jacuzzi soak and massage, can cost upwards of $250.

Since 3 On the Bund expects their visitors to spend the entire day shopping and being pampered at their address, they needed to add on a restaurant or two for socializing and recharging. If you aren't eating at M on the Bund or up at the Cupola with sweeping views over the river to the skyscraper-filled Pudong side, then the Whampoa Club or Laris will be more than happy to indulge you with five-star cuisine. Take it up yet another notch with Jean Georges, the eponymouse restaurant from famous New York restauranteur Jean Georges Vongerichten, who chose 3 On the Bund to house his first place outside of the Big Apple.

If you're in the mood for luxe indulgences and don't want to miss the tourist mecca of the Bund, then 3 on the Bund is almost unavoidable. It's been around for five years now, and the buzz won't be wilting anytime soon, so at least know what you're getting into.

Related Stories:
· 3 On the Bund [Official Site]
· Shanghai Travel [Jaunted]

[Photo: i.car]

Jaunted

Select a Destination:

Tags: Shopping / China Travel / Shanghai Travel / Food Travel / Spa Travel / → All Tags