The Gutzlaff Signal Tower, also called the Bund Weather Tower, is a small historic landmark on Shanghai’s Bund. The tower you see today was built by the British and Dutch in 1907, replacing a wooden tower dating to 1883. It served as a meteorological relay station for Shanghai Jesuits, and a lighthouse stands at the site. Stop to look at the tower’s design and consider the role this modest building played in Shanghai’s history.
A tower built for weather signals
The Gutzlaff Signal Tower is also known as the Bund Weather Tower and the Bund Signal Tower. Its present structure dates to 1907, when the British and Dutch built it to replace an earlier wooden tower from 1883.
The tower served as a meteorological relay station for Shanghai Jesuits. Its small scale makes it easy to pass by, but its history gives the building a distinct place among the Bund’s landmarks.
Look closely at the site
Pause to take in the tower’s design and look for the lighthouse at the site. The surrounding area has changed over time, while the signal tower remains. A visit after work hours can be a quieter way to see it.
FAQ
Where is the Gutzlaff Signal Tower?
It is on Shanghai’s Bund, in Huangpu.
When was the Gutzlaff Signal Tower built?
The present tower was built in 1907 to replace a wooden tower dating to 1883.
What was the tower used for?
It served as a meteorological relay station for Shanghai Jesuits.
