Shanghai, 4 Apr (ZXS) -- Topic: Peace Hotel: Seeing the 6-year history of the Bund and witnessing Shanghai's rapid changes

China News Agency reporter Xu Jing

To Shanghai, Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street and The Bund are must-see places. Standing on the century-old classic steel structure of the Waibaidu Bridge at the mouth of the Suzhou River and looking at the Bund, the Bund International Architecture Expo Group is majestic. Across the river from the Bund is the magnificent Lujiazui of Pudong. At the intersection of the Bund and East Nanjing Road is the Bund landmark in the hearts of the world - Peace Hotel.

Exterior view of the Peace Hotel. (Photo courtesy of Peace Hotel)

The Peace Hotel consists of two historic buildings, the north and south, and the 19-meter-high dark green pyramid-shaped copper roof of the north building breaks through the Bund skyline, making it stand out from the thick and majestic Bund buildings.

In 2020, Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street was extended to the Bund, and the front of the Peace Hotel became a pedestrian path. The scene of the past traffic has disappeared, but Chinese and foreign tourists who took photos with the front of the Peace Hotel praised "taking pictures is a blockbuster".

"There are scenes from the Peace Hotel in many movies, and I have long wanted to see them." Tourist Miss Li said.

Shanghai writer Chen Danyan once described the Peace Hotel as follows: "Coffee from Vienna, black stockings from New York, perfume from Paris, Belarusian princess from Petersburg, camera from Germany, sherry from Portugal, all to accompany the story of a European in Shanghai." There were also the celebrities of that era, General Marshall of the United States, Ambassador Stuart Leighton of the United States, George Bernard Shaw of France, Chaplin of the United States, Soong Qingling of China, Lu Xun of China, who turned in from outside the revolving door of brass and walked on the red carpet that sucked up all sounds. ”

Since its opening in 1929, the Peace Hotel has been the site of countless stories of Shanghai's history. In 1911, Sun Yat-sen went to Nanjing to become the provisional president of the Republic of China, passing through Shanghai to attend a welcoming rally, where he put forward the famous slogan "The revolution has not yet succeeded, comrades still need to work hard." In 1927, Chiang Kai-shek and Soong Meiling held an engagement ceremony in the Meilu Hall of the Peace Hotel. As Chen Danyan said, "There is no monument that can be more competent than the Peace Hotel to be a monument in Shanghai." In an open, simple and knowledgeable way of a large hotel, it connects and proves the vicissitudes of the old era. ”

The Peace Hotel, formerly known as the Chinachem Hotel, was renamed the Peace Hotel in 1956 to commemorate the Asia-Pacific Peace Conference, and closed for renovation in 2007.

After 3 years of restoration, the Peace Hotel reopened in 2010. The relevant person in charge said that the renovation strives to restore the integrity of the building structure, and the decorative art design is preserved intact.

Bronze carved doors, revolving hall doors, marble floors and wall parquets... Push open any of the four revolving doors of the Peace Hotel and enter the lobby, as if you are in the old Shanghai of the 30s, with Chinese and foreign guests checking in and checking out at the front desk. A staff member said that now the booking rate is very high, and the catering business is also growing at the same time, and it is difficult to find a reservation in advance.

In the center of the hall is the artistic glass sculpture "Dove of Peace" made of 1580,<> pieces of glass, surmounted by the iconic octagonal stained glass ceiling. The sculpture is flanked by four silver reliefs depicting the atmosphere of old Shanghai life and urban environment. In the hall, there is an endless stream of people taking photos together.

The iconic octagonal hall of the Peace Hotel, in the center of which is the artistic glass sculpture "Dove of Peace", is flanked by four silver reliefs depicting the atmosphere of old Shanghai life and urban environment. (Photo courtesy of Peace Hotel)

Walk through the hall to the Peace Museum, located on the mezzanine. The small museum displays a variety of silver utensils, porcelain, crystal ornaments and antiques from the Peace Hotel, old newspapers and books related to Shanghai and the hotel, and photos of celebrities and dignitaries who once stayed here. The staff will introduce the stormy years of the building at a fixed time.

The hotel rooms are based on light yellow and blue. After the restoration, the famous Nine Nations Suite was also preserved. These 178-square-meter suites are distinguished by the cultural styles of 9 different countries, including China, the United Kingdom and the United States. Over the decades, these suites have welcomed countless VIPs, dignitaries and celebrities.

The dining and entertainment environment has also continued. The original Chinese restaurant Longfeng Hall on the 8th floor, which has been renovated several times, still retains the original style - traditional Chinese red pillars and green walls, Khitan gold patterns and dragon and phoenix tops, continuing to provide authentic Shanghai cuisine.

"The Dragon and Phoenix Hall has always been like this, when dining from the window, you can not only overlook the Huangpu River, but also see the bustling Nanjing Road." Executive Chinese chef Ma Haocheng said the menu at the Dragon and Phoenix Hall retains traditional classics, but also has innovative dishes that incorporate new styles. This spring, the Dragon and Phoenix Hall launched seasonal dishes such as Mingqian tea crispy chicken and Marantou fragrant dried green balls, "Classic and innovative are not contradictory." ”

Since the 30s of the last century, the famous Peace Hall has received many international dignitaries, celebrities and celebrities. (Photo courtesy of Peace Hotel)

Leaving the Dragon and Phoenix Hall and walking through the corridor covered with Lalique crystals, you will find the famous Banquet Hall and Peace Hall. Since the 30s of the last century, international dignitaries, celebrities and celebrities have gathered here. In October 1998, the long table in the Peace Hall witnessed the second "Wang-Koo talks," an important moment in cross-strait relations.

After the pandemic, the Senior Jazz Band, founded in 1980, resumed playing nightly. Musician Zheng Deren said, "People say that seeing us is like seeing the prosperity of old Shanghai. In fact, no, what we are witnessing is a brand new Shanghai. ”

The Bund International Architecture Expo Group has a unique charm, and behind the prosperity, it has also witnessed the vicissitudes of the Chinese nation in integrating with the world. "The five colors complement each other; Eight-note ensemble, final and flat. "For nearly a century, the Peace Hotel has stood on the Bund, and the story of Shanghai continues to be written. (End)