Located at 388 East Daming Road on Shanghai’s North Bund, this distinctive five-story red-brick building with a green-tiled tower is the historic site of the British-owned S. C. Farnham & Co. Shipyard, established in the 1860s. It was one of the earliest and largest foreign-owned shipbuilding and repair facilities in Shanghai, founded by Englishman F. J. Farnham in 1865. Also known as the “Old Dock,” it was equipped with advanced machinery and could accommodate ships with drafts of up to 4.27 meters.
The building itself is a rare example of Burmese-inspired architecture in Shanghai, featuring a pyramidal facade, a prominent central tower, upturned eaves, and long grid-patterned windows. Its red-brick walls and green-tiled roofs have stood here for over a century, quietly observing the transformation of the North Bund from a bustling port area to a modern waterfront district.
Despite its age, the structure has been adaptively reused and now belongs to a large Chinese Shipping Company. It stands near the contemporary Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal, offering a striking contrast between old and new. At night, softly lit against the glittering Lujiazui skyline, it retains a humble, historic charm.
This site is not only architecturally unique but also symbolically significant—it marks the birthplace of Shanghai’s shipbuilding industry and represents the North Bund’s rich maritime history. As redevelopment continues across the area, this well-preserved relic offers a tangible link to the era when steamers and trade defined Shanghai’s connection to the world.
The Cache is a round stone in amongst the other stones around the tree.