Aiqun Building

Aiqun Building

The Aiqun Building is a protected cultural heritage site of Guangzhou.

The Aiqun Building has a history of several decades. Construction began in 1934 and was completed in the summer of 1937. The building covers a construction area of 11,400 square meters, stands 64 meters tall, and has 15 floors. It features a unique architectural style, modeled after American skyscrapers, and boasts an elegant, serene, simple, and harmonious design. In the 1930s, it claimed the title of the best building in Guangzhou, was hailed by the press at the time as “ushering in a new era of high-rise buildings in Guangzhou,” and was renowned for having the most modern, complete, and luxurious facilities. The building had 300 guest rooms, with double rooms equipped with telephones and bathrooms, and elevators for access. It had fans in summer and heating in winter, along with Chinese and Western restaurants and a bar. At the time, Aiqun Hotel led the hotel industry, exerted significant influence both domestically and abroad, and was widely known as the “Crown of Southern China.”

On the day the grand hotel was completed, military and political dignitaries such as Li Zongren, Sun Fo, Yu Youren, and Yu Hanmou personally inscribed congratulatory messages. Wealthy merchants and celebrities competed to offer congratulations, resulting in a dazzling array of calligraphic inscriptions. The crowds that came to witness the event were bustling, creating a huge sensation. In the old days, the “Aiqun” was a place that displayed power and status, a place ordinary people could hardly step into— even the long corridor under the arcade in front of its entrance was not one that the general public dared to casually enter.

In the early years after liberation, the hotel’s affiliations were complex, with frequent organizational and personnel changes. As the number of international guests invited for visits increased, the “Aiqun,” serving as a hotel for receiving foreign guests, also enjoyed prosperous business. In 1952, it was renamed the “Aiqun Building.”

From the 1950s to the early 1960s, the stately and elegant Aiqun Building was not only one of the hallmarks of Guangzhou but also an important venue for foreign-related activities. The first mayor of Guangzhou—personally received international guests, notable figures from Hong Kong and Macau, and delegates from various countries attending the World Congress for Peace in Beijing. Cultural and sports groups from Eastern European countries, as well as couriers from various nations, were particularly fond of visiting the “Aiqun.” Tao Zhu, Secretary of the Central-South Bureau, and Chen Yu, the former Governor of Guangdong Province, often received and hosted foreign guests at the “Aiqun.” Various consulates specifically requested the chefs and service staff of the “Aiqun” to cater their reception banquets. The China Export Commodities Fair, known as an international event, relied solely on the “Aiqun” to handle the reception and service for the opening and closing banquets of its first to tenth editions starting in 1957. Even now, during every session of the fair, the “Aiqun” remains a preferred lodging choice for guests from Hong Kong, Macau, and overseas Chinese.

In March 1966, a new 18-story building, standing 67.32 meters tall and covering an area of 13,000 square meters, was completed on the east side adjacent to the Aiqun Building. The new building is interconnected floor-by-floor with the old one, forming a unified whole. Though the façade shapes of the two buildings differ, their styles complement each other, creating a harmonious and cohesive look with free circulation. The completion of the new building coincided with the “Cultural Revolution.” The Aiqun Building was also renamed the “People’s Building.” During that time, the quality of service at the building declined, leading to fewer guests and poor economic performance.

History moves forward, and so does the “Aiqun.” The Third Plenary Session of the 11th CPC Central Committee brought vitality and vigor to this historic hotel. As the policies of “reform, opening up, and invigoration” continued to deepen, the “Aiqun” shifted from a previously closed business model to an open one, establishing an operating approach of “facing society, serving the public, and engaging in comprehensive external operations.” The once heavily guarded approach gave way to an open-door policy, welcoming guests from all walks of life. To meet the needs of tourism development, in August 1981, the “Aiqun” introduced foreign investment for a comprehensive renovation. The project was contracted by Hong Kong-based Zhonggang Development Consultants Limited and was fully updated and renovated by October 1982.

In December 1984, taking advantage of its prime location in the city center, adjacent to the Pearl River, the building added a revolving restaurant on the 16th floor. The revolving restaurant was praised as a “sky pavilion in the heart of the bustling city.” In March 1985, the “People’s Building” reverted to its former name, the “Aiqun Building.” On November 5, 1988, the “Aiqun” was renamed again as the “Aiqun Hotel.” The signboard, inscribed by the 88-year-old renowned calligrapher Qin Esheng, was made into an 18-meter-long sign and hung in the center of the building. The “Aiqun” enjoys a superior geographical setting by the river and the water: with a view of the sunrise to the east, the Pearl River to the south, the bustling city center to the north, and a direct elevated road to the train station to the west—making transportation and shopping extremely convenient.

Further Reading:

· Fourth Batch of Guangzhou Protected Cultural Heritage Sites