The "Shanghai Morning" reading room was officially inaugurated at the China Securities Museum on December 25 in the North Bund area of Hongkou District.
This event marked the launch of the 2024 Hongkou District "Reading Month for All" initiative, bringing together cultural and educational activities to further promote public access to literature and culture.
The new reading room is situated in a prime location with sweeping views of the Huangpu River, just a short walk from the iconic Waibaidu Bridge.
The building housing the reading room is a historic site, formerly known as the Astor House Hotel, which opened in 1846 as the first Western-style commercial hotel in China.
The hotel has witnessed many historic firsts, making it an ideal setting for this cultural project. By transforming this century-old building into a cultural space, Hongkou is continuing its commitment to integrating the past with the future and explore new cultural developments in the North Bund area.
At the opening ceremony, awards were presented to outstanding young participants in the 12th Hongkou Youth Reading Festival’s "Cultural Three Lands" study camp. A donation certificate was also given to Qin Yiben, a donor of antique furniture for the reading room.
Following the ceremony, Su Xinbao, Deputy Chief Architect of East China Architectural Design and Research Institute, delivered a lecture titled "The Ability of Reading Time" on the topics of urban renewal and historic building preservation.
The "Shanghai Morning" reading room is the latest addition to Hongkou’s growing list of public cultural spaces.
This year, the district has also opened other significant venues such as the Heping Library, the Luxun Collection Room, the Hongkou District Library, and the Hongkou Cultural Center, all of which have been widely praised by the public.
Looking ahead, the Hongkou Bureau of Culture and Tourism plans to further develop the "Shanghai Morning" reading room by hosting diverse, high-quality cultural events, enhancing the cultural experience for the public.
The district aims to continue revitalizing historical buildings, telling compelling stories about Shanghai’s history, and fostering greater synergy between cultural and tourism resources.
This initiative is expected to further elevate the cultural offerings in North Bund, a region rich in historical significance and poised for future growth, providing citizens with access to exceptional public cultural services and showcasing the deep cultural heritage of the area.