Today, among the skyscrapers and historic buildings on the Bund, the 36-meter Gutzlaff Signal Tower appears small and even inconspicuous. But in the late 19th century, it was one of the tallest structures in Shanghai, towering over low warehouses, docks, and houses in the international settlements. This tower is a living symbol of the astonishing transformation from a fishing village into Asia`s largest port and then into a global metropolis.
In 1842, after the First Opium War, Shanghai became one of the five "treaty ports" opened to foreign trade under the Treaty of Nanjing. The British, Americans, and other Western powers flocked to the city, establishing international concessions (French, British, and American quarters).
The rapid development of maritime trade required navigational landmarks for ships entering the Huangpu River. In 1884, the Gutzlaff Signal Tower was built, serving as a meteorological station and lighthouse. It transmitted weather data, water levels, and time information to ship captains.
Why Was Tower Named After Gutzlaff?
The tower was erected by Chinese customs authorities but named after Karl Gützlaff (1803–1851)—a German missionary, linguist, and diplomat.
Gutzlaff was the first Protestant preacher in China and translated the Bible into Chinese. He worked as an interpreter for the British during the Opium Wars and founded the "Chinese Evangelization Society," though he was later accused of ties to colonial powers. Despite his controversial reputation, his name became associated with the tower as a symbol of China`s connection with the West in the 19th century.
Architecture and Functions of the Gutzlaff Tower
• Height: 36 meters (one of Shanghai`s tallest structures in the late 19th century).
• Style: A blend of European neoclassicism and Chinese architecture.
• The top housed a lighthouse and meteorological equipment.
• Every day at 12:00 PM, the tower launched a time ball signal, which captains used to synchronize their chronometers.
The Tower`s Fate in the 20th–21st Centuries
• In 1907, the tower was dismantled due to the construction of a new customs building.
• In 2010, for the Expo 2010, it was restored to its original appearance and now serves as a museum and observation deck.
Why Has the Tower Become a Landmark?
• Historical value – One of the few surviving monuments from Shanghai`s "opening" era.
• Architecture – A rare example of 19th-century Sino-Western fusion.
• Panoramic views – The observation deck offers vistas of the Bund, Pudong`s skyscrapers, and the Huangpu River.
• Symbol of Shanghai – A bridge between the old and new city.
• Visit in the evening when the tower is illuminated, creating a striking contrast with the modern skyline.
