Chance to relive history at storied landmark Astor Hotel Tianjin

While some architectural vestiges have been renovated, the Astor Hotel Tianjin built in 1863 retains its original charm.

It was the first foreign-run hotel in China and has undergone five expansions and nine changes of ownership until it became a Stateowned hotel.

"As China has turned itself from a closed and trampled country into a strong one, our hotel witnessed the growth of the country," said He Lin, the hotel's general manager.

Famous guests have included Sun Yat-sen (1866-1925), a founder of modern China; the "Young Marshal" Chang Hsueh-liang (1901-2001) who met his second wife in the ballroom; and Premier Zhou Enlai (1898-1976) who once hosted a state banquet to welcome a Polish president.

The Astor has long been an industry leader. According to He, China's first generation of telegram, telephone, electric lamp, elevator, tap water and firefighting equipment were all pioneered at the Astor.

The hotel was also the first to introduce ballroom dancing, Western music, drama, fashion shows and billiards to China.

"It is not simply a time-honored brand that honors its legacy and storied history. It is a landmark and a calling card of Tianjin," He said. "At present, our hotel is one of the most Instagrammed spots in Tianjin."

Seizing opportunities brought by the recently emerging cultural and tourism industry, the Astor has ushered in a new chapter of hospitality, according to the general manager.

In recent years, it has made clones of the rooms that celebrities once stayed in, served foods popular in bygone days and created branded products such as stationery, clothing and tote bags.

While other attractions start to offer accommodation and historic hotels increase their presence, the Astor is an established hotel that has doubled up as a museum for decades.

He said that the hotel will continue along this path, integrating guest rooms, catering and conferences with the features of a museum.

"To increase the appeal to different groups, more interactive and immersive experiences will be offered at our hotel. For example, guests are set to enjoy the combined experiences of a museum and concert, or a museum and tours, or a museum and summer camps in our hotel," He added.

Amid the novel coronavirus outbreak, the hotel has launched a slew of services with safety measures including temperature screening and regular disinfection.

Catering to the public's growing need for online bookings, its flagship store was unveiled on Alibaba Group's travel platform Fliggy in April.