Astor House Hotel
Historic Shanghai hotel established in 1846 and later converted into the China Securities Museum. Historic luxury hotel in Shanghai, once hosted many celebrities.
Last updated October 12, 2026
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Overview
Astor House Hotel was a landmark hotel on Shanghai's North Bund and one of the earliest Western-style hotels established in China. It began in 1846 as Richards' Hotel and Restaurant, founded by Scottish merchant Peter Felix Richards during the first phase of Shanghai's development as an international treaty port. The original establishment stood south of the Yangjingbang creek and served a largely maritime clientele, including shipmasters, traders and other foreign visitors. It also contained a reading room for shipmasters and became associated with the early social and commercial life of the foreign settlement. In 1858 the hotel and Richards' business were moved to a larger site on the northern bank of Suzhou Creek, close to its confluence with the Huangpu River and beside what became the Garden Bridge, now known as Waibaidu Bridge. By 1859 the hotel was known in English as the Astor House Hotel, while its Chinese name remained 礼查饭店 until the mid-twentieth century. The North Bund location placed the hotel near major consulates, shipping routes and the principal crossings between the settlements, helping it become a prominent meeting place for Shanghai's foreign community. The property changed hands and management several times during the nineteenth century. It was sold to Henry W. Smith in 1861, operated by George Baker by 1868, and had been acquired by DeWitt Clinton Jansen by 1873. A substantial enlargement in 1876 added fifty rooms and transformed the hotel into a larger complex of neo-Renaissance brick buildings connected by stone passageways. The hotel subsequently became known for its dining rooms, social halls, bars, accommodation and public entertainments. It hosted the first Western circus presented in China in 1882 and later became a venue for early motion-picture screenings, dances, formal dinners and other events. Astor House was also associated with several technological firsts in Shanghai. In July 1882 it became the first building in China to be illuminated by electricity, and in 1883 it became the first building in Shanghai to install running water. These improvements helped reinforce its reputation as a modern luxury hotel. By the late nineteenth century, contemporary travel accounts described it as one of the leading hotels in Shanghai and a centre of foreign social activity. Its importance was later challenged by newer luxury properties on the Bund, including the Palace Hotel and the Cathay Hotel, but Astor House remained an established landmark. The hotel entered a more ambitious corporate phase around 1901, when Auguste Vernon organized the Astor House Hotel Company Limited and secured a longer lease over the wider block. Plans called for a major expansion, although the resulting northern section contained approximately 120 rooms rather than the much larger capacity originally envisaged. Management changed frequently during the early twentieth century, including periods under Louis Ladow, A. Haller, Frederick W. Davies and Walter Brauen. Reconstruction pressures increased after the Garden Bridge works and nearby urban redevelopment affected part of the hotel's property. After the establishment of the People's Republic of China, the hotel was known in Chinese as Pujiang Hotel from 1959 to 2018, although the historic English name continued to be used in references to the building. The surviving property occupied a site of approximately 4,580 square metres and had a total building area of about 16,563 square metres, with 134 rooms and suites according to reference descriptions. It closed on 1 January 2018 after its purchase by an undisclosed local business. The building was subsequently adapted for institutional use, and the China Securities Museum opened there in December 2018. The hotel therefore survives primarily as a historic building and heritage site rather than as an operating hospitality brand. The Astor House Hotel, originally known as Li Cha Hotel, is one of the earliest Western-style hotels in China, founded in 1846 near the Bund. It has hosted celebrities like Einstein and Chaplin, witnessing Shanghai's modern history. Astor House was also associated with several technological firsts in Shanghai. In July 1882 it became the first building in China to be illuminated by electric light; in 1883 it became the first building in Shanghai to install running water. These improvements consolidated its reputation as a modern luxury hotel. By the end of the nineteenth century, contemporary travel accounts described it as one of the leading hotels of the Far East and a centre of foreign social life. Its prominence was later challenged by new luxury hotels on the Bund such as the Palace Hotel and the Cathay Hotel, but Astor House remained a recognized landmark. Around 1901 the hotel entered a more ambitious corporate phase when Auguste Vernon organized the Astor House Hotel Company Limited and secured a long lease over the entire block. A major expansion was planned, but the northern wing that was ultimately built contained only about 120 rooms rather than the larger number originally envisaged. Management changed frequently in the early twentieth century, including Louis Ladow, A. Haller, Frederick W. Davies and Walter Brauen. The rebuilding of the Waibaidu Bridge and nearby urban redevelopment affected parts of the hotel's property and increased pressure for reconstruction. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, the hotel operated under the Chinese name Pujiang Hotel from 1959 to 2018, although the historic English name continued to be used to refer to the building. The surviving property occupies approximately 4,580 square metres, with a total floor area of about 16,563 square metres and, according to reference sources, 134 rooms and suites. It closed on 1 January 2018 after being purchased by an undisclosed local business. The building was subsequently adapted for institutional use, and the China Securities Museum opened there in December 2018. The hotel therefore exists principally as a historic building and heritage site rather than as an operating hotel brand. It has hosted celebrities such as Einstein and Chaplin, witnessing Shanghai's modern history.
History
Astor House Hotel originated in the expanding foreign settlement of nineteenth-century Shanghai. Scottish merchant Peter Felix Richards opened Richards' Hotel and Restaurant in 1846, making it one of the earliest Western hotels in China and one of the first Western restaurants in Shanghai. Its early guests were closely connected with shipping and trade. The hotel included facilities for shipmasters and became a site for meetings among the growing foreign population. In February 1858 the establishment moved north of Suzhou Creek to a site near the Huangpu River. This position, adjacent to the later Waibaidu Bridge, gave the hotel direct proximity to shipping, consulates and the main routes linking Shanghai's foreign communities. By 1859 it had acquired the English name Astor House Hotel. The property was sold to Henry W. Smith in 1861, and later passed through the management of George Baker and DeWitt Clinton Jansen. Under Jansen, the hotel's scale and public importance increased significantly. A major expansion in 1876 added fifty rooms. The enlarged complex consisted of several neo-Renaissance brick buildings joined by stone passageways and provided rooms for travelers as well as families waiting for permanent Shanghai residences. During this period the hotel developed beyond a place to sleep: its dining rooms, halls, reading facilities and social spaces made it a centre of foreign community life. In 1882 it hosted the first Western circus in China. The same year it became the first building in China reported to use electric lighting, followed in 1883 by the installation of running water, making the property a prominent example of modern hotel infrastructure. The hotel's role in Shanghai's public culture continued in the 1890s. Astor Hall was renovated for formal events, and in 1897 the hotel hosted some of the first motion pictures shown in Shanghai. It also hosted a birthday celebration for Empress Dowager Cixi in November 1897, described in contemporary accounts as an important social event because women attended public entertainment. By the end of the century, the hotel was regularly characterized as one of the leading hotels of the Far East and a central venue for the foreign settlement. In 1901 Auguste Vernon established the Astor House Hotel Company Limited and negotiated a longer lease covering the entire block, including shops behind the existing hotel. His plan was to demolish the shops and create a substantially larger hotel. The project was scaled back, producing a northern section with about 120 rooms. An outbreak of cholera reduced demand when that section opened in 1903, and management changed repeatedly. Louis Ladow, A. Haller, Captain Frederick W. Davies and Walter Brauen were among the managers associated with the hotel in the early twentieth century. Urban change also affected the property. The rebuilding of the nearby bridge and the development of newer luxury hotels on the Bund increased competitive and physical pressure. Nevertheless, Astor House remained a recognizable Shanghai landmark, noted for its location, historic architecture and long connection with international visitors. The hotel later operated under the Chinese name Pujiang Hotel from 1959 until 2018. The final hotel-era building was described as occupying approximately 4,580 square metres, with a total floor area of roughly 16,563 square metres and 134 rooms and suites. The hotel closed on 1 January 2018 following a change of ownership involving an undisclosed local business. Its building was then adapted for museum use. The China Securities Museum opened in December 2018, ending Astor House's operation as a hotel while preserving the site as part of Shanghai's architectural and commercial history. Over its long history the hotel hosted celebrities such as Einstein and Chaplin, witnessing Shanghai's modern history.
- 2018
Hotel closes
[1]Astor House Hotel ceased hotel operations on 1 January.
- 2018
China Securities Museum opens
[1]The former hotel building reopened in December as the China Securities Museum.
- 1959
Chinese name changes to Pujiang Hotel
[1]The hotel began using Pujiang Hotel as its Chinese name.
- 1903
Northern section opens
[1]A new northern section containing approximately 120 rooms opened, although an outbreak of cholera reduced initial occupancy.
- 1901
Astor House Hotel Company organized
[1]Auguste Vernon organized a company to operate and expand the hotel under a longer lease.
- 1897
Early cinema and imperial birthday event
[1]Astor Hall hosted early motion-picture screenings, and the hotel hosted a celebration connected with the birthday of Empress Dowager Cixi.
- 1883
Running water installed
[1]Astor House became the first building in Shanghai reported to install running water.
- 1882
Electric lighting and Western circus
[1]The hotel became the first building in China reported to use electric lighting and hosted the first Western circus in China.
- 1876
Major enlargement
[1]The hotel added fifty rooms and expanded into a larger neo-Renaissance complex.
- 1859
Astor House name adopted
[1]The establishment began using Astor House Hotel as its English name.
Products and positioning
A landmark, internationally oriented luxury hotel serving Shanghai's foreign trading, diplomatic and social communities during the city's treaty-port era. In later years its principal value became historical and architectural rather than commercial hospitality. Historic luxury hotel
Accommodation · 1846
Guest rooms and suites
The hotel's principal commercial offering was accommodation for foreign traders, seafarers, diplomats, families and other visitors to Shanghai. Later descriptions refer to 134 rooms and suites in a building of approximately 16,563 square metres.
Food and beverage · 1846
Restaurants and dining rooms
Dining was central to the hotel's identity from its origin as Richards' Hotel and Restaurant. The enlarged property included substantial dining facilities, including a dining room described as capable of accommodating hundreds of guests.
Events and banquets
Astor Hall and event facilities
Astor Hall and related public rooms hosted balls, celebrations, formal dinners, entertainment and early film screenings. These facilities helped make the hotel a centre of Shanghai's foreign social life.
Food and beverage
Bar and cocktail service
The hotel maintained a reputation for drinks and cocktail service, particularly during the early twentieth century. Contemporary descriptions associated Louis Ladow's bartenders with a high-end cocktail tradition in the Far East.
Controversies
Brand decisions
2018
Conversion from hotel to museumStrategyBackground
The historic hotel was purchased by an undisclosed local business after a long operating history.
Action taken
Hotel operations ended on 1 January, and the building was converted for use as the China Securities Museum.
Aftermath
The museum opened in December 2018, preserving the building while ending the Astor House brand's hospitality operations.
1901
Expansion through a new operating companyStrategyBackground
Shanghai's international settlement was experiencing strong demand for hotel accommodation, while the existing Astor House property had limited capacity.
Action taken
Auguste Vernon organized the Astor House Hotel Company Limited, secured a longer lease over the block and proposed a major expansion with additional rooms and retail space.
Aftermath
The final northern addition contained about 120 rooms rather than the proposed 250. Vernon left management in 1902, and an outbreak of cholera weakened demand when the new section opened in 1903.
Recent events
- 2018
Astor House Hotel closes after more than 170 years[1]
Other
The historic hotel ceased operations on 1 January 2018 after being purchased by an undisclosed local business.
- 2018
Former hotel reopens as China Securities Museum[1]
Other
After conversion from hotel use, the historic building opened as the China Securities Museum in December 2018.
Sources3 sources
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