Former Deutsch-Asiatische Bank in Qingdao, Colonial bank building in central Qingdao, China
The Former Deutsch-Asiatische Bank in Qingdao is a three-story stone and brick structure on Szechuen Road featuring arched windows, pronounced cornices, and European design details. It sits at the intersection of Szechuen Road and Guangxi Road near several other colonial-era buildings.
The building opened in 1901 during German colonial rule and served as a financial hub for international trade. It was nationalized in 1945, ending its time as a private financial institution.
The building shows how German banking design mixed with Chinese construction techniques during a period when foreign powers shaped Qingdao's growth. You can still see on the facade how European and local styles existed side by side.
The building is located in a central area with good pedestrian access and sits near other sights. The location is easy to reach on foot and can be paired well with a walk through the old colonial district.
The building was one of only eight branches worldwide authorized to issue its own banknotes. Qingdao could print notes in Chinese taels and Mexican dollars in the early 1900s.
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