Back to Shanghai

In 1926, the first Chinese-owned life insurance company Hua gregarious Hoju Inc. (established 1911) from the Bund, Nanjing Road West, on the 30th to move into self-built Hua Building (now the Golden Gate Hotel). Shanghai the first Chinese-owned insurance companies to set up the first year of the Qing dynasty (1875) founded by the steamship China Merchants China Merchants Insurance. Guangxu two years, Yan and insurance companies set up. Guangxu four years, the insurance renamed China Merchants economic and insurance companies. Guangxu twelve years, Renhe, economic, and the two companies combined to form the Yan Chai and insurance companies, bear the Merchants their own boats and water transport insurance, the company addresses in Jiangxi Province Road 212. After 20 years without a new company, to the dynasty, thirty-one years to thirty-three years between, there are Xinghua, Hua, Hua Cheng, Hua Tong four insurance companies.

Golden Gate Hotel stands on the former building has been the beach. In 1940, the Golden Gate Hotel opened in the beach dignitaries whom tide, Yang Zhi-known to be called the year of the famous ten-mile high buildings, was the celebrity elite Shu-Yuan Cai Cui place. In 1958, renamed the “Overseas Chinese Hotel,” for overseas travels to the mainland of the elegant homes. In 1992, the restored “Golden Gate Hotel,” was originally called, reproduce the classic style.

The thirties, tourists from afar has the Bund and the dumping of exotic architectural ambience. In 1930 by the Jewish Association during World War II Shanghai, Changsha, Mr. Wilson built with funds Shanghai Metropole Hotel (formerly the capital of hotels), as a birthday gift for his beloved daughter. Baroque style, with its typical architectural style of semi-circular concave pyramid, in the Bund’s “10000 State Building” in center stage, its to create a “City Life” is popular at that time known as the “Oriental Paris” on the beach.

Metropole Hotel is located in Fuzhou, Jiangxi Road junction, the main entrance at the corner, the door to account for three-bay, in the middle for four-leaf revolving door, the door is located on top of large rain shelter. Building 14 on the ground floor, one floor underground. 8-layer and above the gradual contraction in the formation of a central tower. Facade with vertical lines, mainly to deal with simple. Building ground floor lobby and main desk is located hotels, is located two-story luxury bars and dance halls, three floors above the guest rooms. The community was patronized by celebrities congregate sites, including the Miss Song Meiling, Mr. Mei Lanfang, including celebrities have visited. Mei Lanfang, who also made many paintings Metro restaurants. Mei Lanfang leaving perfect stage for many years, “a beard Ming-chi,” by Mai Hua living, has attracted worldwide admiration. In April 1945, Mei Lanfang hotels in Shanghai, Fuzhou Road, Metro held personal exhibitions in order to “double red bean map” “Tiannvsanhua map” as a bright spot in more than 170 pieces of works were sold out. Re-opened after renovation in 1964 changed its name to Metropole Hotel.

Early years after liberation, where Shanghai Chemical Industry Bureau and other units who have used the building been renovated in 1964, later renamed as the Metropole Hotel, reply hotel business, now restored Metropole Hotel, the old hotel signs.