[Shanghai Attractions] Shanghai-Hong Kong Bank History Exhibition Hall: A Free Visit to a Popular Historical Building

#ShanghaiAttractions Bank of East Asia Building (Shanghai-Hong Kong Banking Corporation History Exhibition Hall) 📍No. 299, Sichuan Middle Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai (near the Bund and Nanjing East Road) 🚇Metro Line 2/10 Nanjing East Road Exit 7 🎫You can scan the QR code on site to register for a visit, free of charge 🕒 Opening hours: Monday to Sunday 10:00-17:00 (Last admission 16:30) Shanghai and Hong Kong were the first cities in the country to have foreign and Chinese banks open. In 1925, the Bank of East Asia Building was built at the junction of Jiujiang Road and Sichuan Middle Road, known as the "Wall Street of China", and was designed by Hungarian architect Hongda. Other famous designs by Hongda include the Xinxin Company on Nanjing Road (1923-1926), the Guanglu Theater on Huqiu Road (1927), the Guotai Theater on Huaihai Middle Road (1932), and the Bank of Communications on Zhongshan East First Road (1947). At the end of 2018, Bank of East Asia established the "Shanghai-Hong Kong Banking History Exhibition Hall" at its original site to showcase the integration, development and exchange results of the banking industries in Shanghai and Hong Kong. The interior of the building recreates the business hall scene of the Republic of China period, supplemented by display boards, historical objects and other exhibits and introductions. Marble Counter The counter is 24 meters long, which is rare in the industry and caused a sensation when it was built. Bank vault The vault can store a large amount of gold, silver ingots and silver dollars, and has been well preserved to this day. Do you remember Mr. Li Cheng Changfeng in "The Wind Chaser" going to the bank to deposit gold bars? The vault door is very impressive, using the American Mosler brand steel door, which was one of the top brands at the time. Historical objects The display cabinet contains various financial bills from the Republic of China period. I especially looked for the central bank's legal tender, promissory notes and customs certificates. I felt that history and the plot formed a closed loop. There is also an imported mechanical calculator on display, which was considered a very advanced tool at the time. Spiral Staircase There are two staircases. The second floor is the exhibition, and the third floor is the work area where banking services can be handled. The street view from the window is also nice. Art Deco style The Bank of East Asia Building is one of the representative buildings of this style. It uses modern geometric decorative patterns, supplemented by black and white mosaic marble and other decorations, with simple lines and bright colors. The interior staircase floors and cast iron railings are decorated in an Art Deco style, resembling a scale, to represent the bank's honesty, trustworthiness and fairness. It’s great that it’s open to the public and allows the public to experience history up close!