The indefatigable Patrick and Tina at Historic Shanghai have created a wonderful Wallis Simpson in Shanghai walk based on the information in my book, Her Lotus Year. It looks amazing…. Booking information here
The Palace Hotel on the Bund (where Wallis stayed)
The Palace’s lobby
The Astor House Hotel, where Wallis dined several times
The old Astor House ballroom, where Wallis danced
The former US Consulate
Garden Bridge was there in Wallis’ day, and then, as now, a most convenient way to go between the Bund and Hongkou. No Broadway Mansions back in ‘24 though!
The former Rowing Club, designed by Scott & Carter. What’s the Wallis connection? Her closest Shanghai friend, “Robbie,” worked for the firm early in his career.
The former British Consulate, looking quite lovely on this spring day. The vice-consul here was head of special intelligence, and in later years was very likely the source of the information in Wallis’ “China Dossier”.
No Peace Hotel when Wallis visited, that went up in 1929. But it didn’t stop scurrilous rumors about Victor Sassoon, racy photos, etc…
Leave a Reply