Astor Hotel and adjoins buildings alongside Haihe River, 2017. [Photo by Bruce Connolly/chinadaily.com.cn]

Running south from the bridge, Jiefangbei Jie leads from the former French to British concessions. In the 1920's/30's known as 'China's Wall Street', due to the number of international bank and financial buildings often built in European classical style. The exterior notices indicate previous occupiers such as Citibank; China South Sea Bank and the Italian Bank for China. Recently renovated it is a fascinating, highly photogenic street to walk or cycle south to one of the most unique hotels in China, The Astor.