China, Shanghai, Astor House Hotel. The Astor House Hotel boasts many firsts. It was the first western run hotel in China and the Far East, the first electric light in China was lit here, China's first stock exchange was opened here, China's first telephone was installed here, and western films were first viewed here when they were introduced to China. Many famous people have stayed here including US President Grant in 1879, British philosopher Bertrand Russell in 1920, scientist Albert Einstein in 1922, actor Charlie Chaplin in 1931 and 1936, among many others. Built during the Qing Dynasty in 1846, originally named Richard Hotel, it was built during the time Shanghai became a trading port. It was the most deluxe western hotel in Shanghai, one of the best in China and the Far East, and was built in English neoclassical, with Victorian Baroque, architectural style.
