Ningbo Q ing’an Guildhall

Qing’an Guildhall

Qing’an Guildhall is a national AAA-level tourist attraction and a key cultural relics protection unit of China.

Situated at the confluence of three rivers in Ningbo, Qing’an Guildhall, also known as “Yongdong Tianhou Palace,” is a hall for worshipping Mazu, the Chinese goddess of the sea, and a meeting place for maritime merchants. It was first built in 1850.

During the First Opium War in 1841, Ningbo was occupied by British troops. After the war, it became one of the ports opened for “trade with five ports.” Maritime trade in Ningbo rapidly developed, attracting merchants from all over who flocked to the port, leading to flourishing trade. As a result, nine northern-style shipping merchants in Ningbo pooled funds to build Qing’an Guildhall. The southern-style merchants constructed the nearby Anlan Guildhall.

As a testament to ancient Chinese maritime culture, Qing’an Guildhall preserves the rituals and heritage associated with Mazu worship, making it the most influential Mazu temple in eastern Zhejiang and even the wider Jiangnan region. On March 23rd (lunar calendar), Mazu’s birthday, and September 9th (lunar calendar), her ascension day, the guildhall holds grand ceremonies in her honor, with bustling temple fairs that are a spectacular sight in Ningbo.

Qing’an Guildhall embodies the essence of traditional Chinese architecture. It boasts a grand scale and exquisite structure, featuring traditional Ningbo architectural decorations that are resplendent and magnificent. Its brick carvings, stone carvings, and red-lacquered wood carvings showcase distinct regional craftsmanship and hold high aesthetic value.

In 1997, the Ningbo Municipal Bureau of Culture organized the renovation of Qing’an Guildhall and relocated the Anlan Guildhall. Both guildhalls were then converted into the Zhejiang East Maritime Folk Museum for public visits.

Qing’an Guildhall is an iconic building of Ningbo, a port city, and a historical witness to Ningbo Port’s past trade and commerce with overseas countries. In 2001, it was declared a national key cultural relics protection unit by the State Council.

Suggested Duration

1 hour

Transportation

Qing’an Guildhall Station on Bus Routes 2, 529, and 821

Admission Fee

Adults: 10 RMB; Students: 5 RMB

Opening Hours

8:30-16:30

Location

No. 156, Jiangdong North Road, Jiangdong District, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units