Guangzhao Guild Hall

Guangzhao Guild Hall

Guangzhao Guild Hall is a protected cultural heritage site of Jiangsu Province.

Guangzhao Guild Hall is a renowned modern historical building in Zhenjiang City, Jiangsu Province. It is located on Boxian Road in the western part of Zhenjiang, opposite the Zhenjiang History Museum, and is a protected cultural heritage site of Jiangsu Province.

Guangzhao Guild Hall was originally a meeting place for merchants and travelers from the ancient Guangzhou and Zhaoqing prefectures of Guangdong who came to Zhenjiang for business.

Its original foundation was located south of the Zhonghua Road Market, and the current structure was built in the 33rd year of the Guangxu reign (1907).

The guild hall covers an area of over 600 square meters. Its west-facing main gate is constructed of polished bricks, featuring an overhanging eave adorned with carved bricks depicting the “Five Blessings Around Longevity.” The white stone lintel is inscribed with the four large characters “广肇公所” (Guangzhao Guild Hall), signed by “Former Sichuan Governor Chen ??椤”. It also includes smaller decorative carvings such as the “Eight Immortals” and scenes representing the “Four Joys” (celebrations of weddings, birthdays, academic success, and moving into a new home), as well as traditional folk motifs like “Fishing, Woodcutting, Farming, and Studying.” The bases of the polished brick pillars on either side of the gate are decorated with stone-carved bats.

Beyond the main gate is a second north-facing entrance, also embellished with brick carvings.

The main hall of the guild hall has three bays in width. On the southern side of the hall, an interior wall is inlaid with a stele titled “Record of Guangzhao Guild Hall,” which documents the history of the guild hall and the details of its reconstruction.

In the early years of the Republic of China, Dr. Sun Yat-sen made a special trip from Shanghai to Zhenjiang to inspect the area. He stayed overnight at the guild hall and discussed plans with local figures for the improvement of the Yangtze River and the development of Zhenjiang Port.

In December 2011, the People's Government of Jiangsu Province designated it as part of the seventh batch of provincial-level cultural heritage protection units.

Further Reading:

· Seventh Batch of Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Heritage Protection Units