国华大楼

Completed in 1933, the stately Guohua Building stands before you. It whispers tales of Shanghai’s financial past. Originally known as the Guohua Bank Building, this impressive structure housed one of old China’s principal commercial banks. Guohua Bank opened its doors in January 1928. Its founding was a testament to the burgeoning commercial landscape of the time, with a significant capital contribution from Huayi. The bank’s headquarters were strategically placed here in Shanghai. It handled a wide range of financial activities, from commercial banking and savings to trust management and foreign exchange. The Guohua Building itself, completed in 1933, rose to eleven stories, reaching a height of 50 meters. Its design was a collaborative effort between Tonghe Yang Hang, and the Chinese architect Li Qinpei, also known as Stone Forest. Li Qinpei, born in 1894 in Wuxing, Jiangsu, was a graduate of Jiaotong University’s civil engineering program. He established the Xinhua Construction Company in 1924 and later served as a consulting engineer for Guohua Bank in 1930. Newspapers like the “Shishi Xinbao” and “Shen Bao” documented the construction, quoting Li’s assessment of the building as “magnificent and awe-inspiring”. He believed its beauty was unmatched. Indeed, the Guohua Building displays the distinctive features of the Art Deco style. Take a moment to appreciate the vertical lines of the facade. The main entrance, nestled on the southeast corner, is framed by a two-story arched doorway. Notice the semi-circular shape at the top, sometimes described as “golden rays” or “peacock spreading its screen”. It’s a simple yet elegant arched design, common in Art Deco architecture. The original black iron doors, though once repainted gray, have been restored to their original color. They slide open horizontally, revealing an interior adorned with marble and preserved original designs. Look for the building number, 342, etched above the doorway. The intricate ornamentation blends Chinese and Western motifs. It incorporates symbols of Chinese culture and elements of Western currency. This architectural gem, the Guohua Building, stands as a testament to Shanghai’s vibrant past and continues to grace the city’s skyline.