General Post Office Building, Shanghai, Postal headquarters in Hongkou District, China
The General Post Office Building is a postal headquarters in Hongkou with three stories and grand Corinthian columns across its facade. It sits at the north end of the Sichuan Road Bridge along Suzhou Creek and contains a working post office counter alongside the Shanghai Postal Museum.
The building was constructed in 1924 after China joined the Universal Postal Union in 1914 and Shanghai became the nation's postal hub. It developed as a key processing center for the country's mail and communications network during this period of growth.
The clock tower features classical statues showing Hermes, Eros, and Aphrodite, bringing Greek mythology into Chinese architecture. This blend of Western symbols reflects Shanghai's cosmopolitan past and the city's openness to outside influences during that era.
The building is easily accessible via Sichuan Road and sits near Suzhou Creek with good public transportation connections. Entry to the museum is free and the working post office operates during standard business hours.
The building features a sophisticated water tank system connected to Suzhou Creek that adjusts with water level changes to maintain foundation stability. This engineering solution protects the structure from flood damage and ground settlement issues during the monsoon seasons.
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