Siming Guild Hall

Siming Guild Hall

The Siming Guild Hall is a Shanghai Municipal Cultural Heritage site and a patriotic education base.

Address: No. 830, Renmin Road, Huangpu District, Postal Code: 200010, Phone: 021-63556666*3207 (Property Management Office of PICC Shanghai Branch) Opening Hours: All day Public Transport: Buses 11, 24, 911.

The Siming Guild Hall was built in 1797 and was originally the guild hall for Ningbo merchants and artisans doing business in Shanghai. In May 1874 (the 13th year of the Tongzhi reign in the Qing Dynasty), the French Concession authorities attempted to forcibly seize the Siming Guild Hall under the pretext of “building a road” in order to expand their concession area. French police opened fire at the entrance of the guild hall, killing and injuring many angry local protesters, which sparked public outrage. In July 1898 (the 24th year of the Guangxu reign in the Qing Dynasty), the French Concession authorities made another attempt to occupy the Siming Guild Hall, prompting the people of Shanghai to launch a citywide strike and market shutdown in resistance. Intimidated by the power of the masses, the colonial authorities were ultimately forced to abandon their plan to take over the guild hall. The Siming Guild Hall stands as a historical testament to the people of Shanghai's struggle against imperialist expansion of their concessions. Today, only the memorial archway remains and admission is free.