Astor Hotel – Pride of Tianjin's Tourist Trade

I Previously I thought the Astor was just another nice hotel, one of the many that we have in Tianjin. However, after going there recently I have had my thinking adjusted. I also now realise how important it is to the history of Tianjin, as outstanding events have taken place there in the past, and it would not be an exaggeration to say that these events actually contributed to the development of modern China. This year is very special as they are celebrating their 150 year anniversary.

It is a remarkable hotel, in fact with the Astor you get two hotels for the price of one as there is an old part and a new part and guests can choose from them both. The old part has been perfectly preserved and you can stay in the original suite that Sun Yat Sen stayed in. For those who are not familiar with Chinese history, he was the founding father of the Republic of China. When I toured the hotel, I wondered who would choose to stay in the old part, as the new part was more to my taste, being big and bright and beautiful, whereas the old part is all dark wood, heavy furniture, and old style fixtures and fittings. However this part of the hotel is extremely popular, it is unique and attracts Chinese people who love their country's history. Being able to stay in a former leader's room is an irresistible draw for them. I love history myself and I studied Chinese history, so as I stood in one of these old rooms I imagined all the secret meetings going on and all the covert deals that were made back then.

The Astor started life as a very simple one storey structure known as the Mud House, you can guess why. An extract from a book says this "Countless hand carts followed one after another in one long line, bringing the muddy soil containing malaria bacteria". Just think, next time you get bitten by a mosquito, it may well be the descendant of those early mosquitoes - even they are part of the history and development of Tianjin!

Guest House (taken in 1925)

Lobby (taken in 1926)

The Banqueting Hall of Astor Hotel (taken in 1926)

The exterior of Astor Hotel (taken in 1895)