An architecture can be read, just as a city can be felt by its warmth. Recently, to experience a green and healthy lifestyle and promote the communication among alumni, nearly 40 students and graduates of emlyon participated in the Shanghai Excellent Youth City Walk, which was sponsored by East China Alumni Network of emlyon business school. They strolled along the Bund, explored the legendary and classic Fairmont Peace Hotel. They measured the city with their feet and experienced Shanghai culture with their soul. Special thanks go to Christophe Lauras, President of the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China and Chief Operating Officer of Accor Group, as well as Fairmont Peace Hotel for their vigorous support of this event.

Appreciating international architecture while walking from the Bund to the Garden Bridge----by the Huangpu River

The Bund is a classic landmark in Shanghai. We started from the Gutzlaff Signal Tower Square, and walked along Zhongshan East Road to the north of the Garden Bridge. On the 1-kilometer journey by the Huangpu River, the majestic international architecture made of marble, granite and concrete is entitled the Bund “Oriental Wall Street”.

The Garden Bridge, located on the Suzhou River, is the only remaining unequal height truss bridge in China, with a length of over 100 meters. After three generations, it has become a city symbol of Shanghai and the “Grandma Bridge” in the hearts of citizens. In 2018, the Garden Bridge was selected into the first batch of “Chinese Industrial Heritage Conservation List”.

Exploring Fairmont Peace Hotel, Experiencing a Centure-long Luxury and Elegance

Walking into the Fairmont Peace Hotel, we were brought back by the elegant architecture and exquisite decoration to the old Shanghai a century ago. The hotel was built in 1929, formerly known as the Cathay Hotel. As the birthplace of decorative arts in Shanghai, the geometric figures and symmetrical lines on its walls and ceiling reflect the balance of confidence, elegance and strength.

The octagonal colourful glass roof is like a luxurious canopy, with the natural light pouring into the entire hotel lobby, restaging the glorious scene of the hotel in its heyday in the 1930s. In the nineteenth Century, the interior decoration of Lalique art glass created by the French master Rene Lalique was popular all over the world. Up to now, the Lalique art corridor has completely preserved the decoration with the relief inlays that were tailored-made by the Lalique one hundred years ago.

Peace Museum

The Peace Museum, located on the M floor of the hotel, tells the story of historical records and humanistic legends from the Cathay Hotel to the Fairmont Peace Hotel. The copper key card, silver spoons, vintage utensils and other antique hotel supplies engraved with the words “Cathay Hotel” present visitors with the glory and splendor at that time.

The Luxurious National Suites

The National Suites, the ultra-modern luxury suite of the Fairmont Peace Hotel in the 1930s, has been preserved till now. There is a loong totem on the mahogany ceiling of the Chinese suite, and the mahogany furniture, set off by the golden wallpaper, shows the regal aura of the emperor.

Leaning against the windowsill, you can have a panoramic view of the Huangpu River and Pudong. The whistle of the boats on the river echoes with the bell ringing of the customs building by the river add radiance, firing your imagination.

The Roof Terrace of the Fairmont Peace Hotel

From the roof terrace, we can have a panoramic view of the Bund, surrounded by classical European-style buildings with artistic characteristics. The green roof of the Fairmont Peace Hotel and the skyline of Lujiazui face each other across the Huangpu River. The two banks of the Huangpu River where the history meets the present display diverse styles, which are intertwined in the field of vision.

The City Walk was then coming to an end. Mr. Matthieu Bertho, the resident manager, and Ms. Jessica Zhang, the chief public-relation officer, extend a warm welcome to emlyon East China Alumni Network, and expressed expectations for their next visit. Ms. Jessica Yuping LI, the deputy director of Corporate Relations expresses her gratitude to the Fairmont Peace Hotel for its support. Mr. Matthieu Bertho, Ms. Jessica Zhang and Ms. Hebe, the director of the Peace Museum get thank-you certificates and school commemorative gifts from some alumni of emlyon Business School, including Professor Lin Hua, the advisor to the President of the Asian Campus, Ms. Qu Xiaoying, the executive director of the Global Business Intelligence Center of emlyon business school and Vice President of Lifestyle Club.