HSBC Building

The HSBC Building is a six-story structure with neoclassical architecture located along Shanghai's waterfront. It features a central dome, Ionic columns, and granite facing that gives it a solid, refined appearance.

The building was completed in 1923 and served as the headquarters of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation until 1955. Its construction marks an important period in Shanghai's rise as a major financial center.

The building represents a meeting point between Western banking traditions and local practices, as coins from many countries were placed in its foundation during construction. This blend shows how Shanghai's financial world combined different cultural approaches.

The building is easily accessible from the waterfront area and remains an important protected cultural site in Shanghai. Visitors can view the structure from outside and notice the distinctive bronze sculptures at the entrance.

Two bronze lions named Stephen and Stitt guard the entrance and have survived decades of conflict and change. These sculptures have become lasting symbols of the site's role in Shanghai's banking world.

Location: Huangpu District

GPS coordinates: 31.23790,121.48510

Latest update: December 7, 2025 19:29