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Where it's at
During the industrial revolution in China, Shanghai prized
itself on being the first to adopt everything new and modern
from the West. The Pujiang Hotel, or Richards Hotel
as it was called upon construction in 1846, was the first
western hotel to be built in Shanghai and remains its
oldest today. The hotel was the site of yet more firsts in
China such as the telephone, electricity, and motion pictures
which may explain why this was a favourite hangout of Albert
Einstein and Charlie Chaplin.
History
In its heyday, the Pujiang Hotel, known as Astor House,
was the place to stay and be seen among the Shanghai elite
and even housed the Chinese stock exchange for a while. The
architecture is classic and beautiful with high Roman arches,
wooden floors and large spacious rooms. After 1907, the Pujiang
Hotel could not keep up with the stiff competition of the
new and fancy luxury hotels that emerged all over Shanghai.
In order to keep attracting clients, the management shifted
focus to the strong influx of foreign students. This remains
the strategy still today, as the Pujiang has become an institution
on the backpacker circuit of China.
Staying at the Pujiang
Covered in charm and located in the heart of Shanghai, the
hotel serves as a great central point for exploring all that
Shanghai has to offer. Dormitory rooms for around $7USD can't
be beat in this somewhat expensive city. Standard rooms are
also available at around $42 USD for those with a bigger budget
or looking for a bit more privacy. |
