Shita Guild Hall

Shita Guild Hall

Shita Guild Hall is a cultural heritage site protected by Fuzhou City.

Shita Guild Hall is located on the south side of Wutai Pagoda in Xiadianli, Gulou District, Fuzhou City. It faces north and is enclosed by walls on all sides. The main gate is on the west side, with a blue stone plaque inscribed “Shita Guild Hall” in the center of the lintel. In front of the gate stands a pair of blue stone-carved lions over one meter tall. The main structure of the current guild hall is the stage, which faces Wutai Pagoda and covers an area of about 60 square meters. The stage has four square stone pillars in the center, inscribed with couplets such as “Gathering the grandeur of ancient and modern times, yet each event is unique; enjoying the pleasure of music, emotions and literature resonate alike.” The ceiling of the stage features layered brackets and caisson decorations, with carvings of landscapes, pavilions, flowers, and trees, all exquisitely crafted. Behind the stage is the makeup room. On both sides of the stage are viewing galleries, with finely carved railings at the front. Originally, there was a shrine at the front of the stage, which was later occupied by residents. Opposite the stage was the main hall, which has now collapsed, leaving only the Dougong-style fireproof gable wall.

The original construction date of Shita Guild Hall is unknown, but it was once used to enshrine the Five Emperors. It was renovated during the Daoguang and Tongzhi reigns of the Qing Dynasty (1821–1874) and was restored again during the Guangxu reign with funding from the Beijing Fruit Trade Guild.

After 1949, Shita Guild Hall became a residential compound. In 1992, it was designated as a municipal-level cultural heritage site.

In 1995, the Fuzhou Municipal Government (then Party Secretary Zhao Xuemin, who was later—) aimed to clear land for real estate development under the guise of creating the “Wushan Cultural Plaza.” They instructed the Fuzhou Real Estate Development Corporation (then General Manager Weng Jinrong) to carry out demolitions. Although Shita Guild Hall and the nearby Deng Tuo Former Residence were spared due to their status as protected cultural heritage sites, other nearby structures such as the Nan Guan Bai Zhenren Temple, Pei Xian Palace, Five Emperors Temple, and the former residence of Lin Zhichun, the top imperial scholar of the Ming Dynasty, were ultimately destroyed despite being recognized for their cultural value and recommended for on-site preservation by heritage authorities.

After residents were relocated, the land designated for the “Wushan Cultural Plaza” remained unused for a long time. In 2002, the guild hall was damaged by a typhoon, and due to inadequate maintenance, the main hall collapsed.

Around February 2012, the main hall of the guild hall was repaired.

It is currently managed by the Three Lanes and Seven Alleys Management Committee. Opening hours: every Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 to 10:30 AM for Min Opera performances.

Antai Subdistrict: Located in the southern part of Gulou District, Antai Subdistrict is part of the ancient southern area of Fuzhou City and is named after the historic Antai Bridge within its jurisdiction. It stretches from Wuyi Square in the east to Baima River in the west, borders Chating Street’s East-West River in the south, and is adjacent to Antai River in the north. The subdistrict covers an area of 1.8 square kilometers and includes 17 neighborhood committees: Fuzhong, Guizhi, Longpu, Wushan, Daoshan, Nanmen, Jiayang, Baita, Madao, Shengmiao, Xinquan, Fahai, Douzhong, Douxi, Xiyingli, Jiufu’an, and Zhuzifang. It has 7,529 households and a population of 23,200. The subdistrict office is located at No. 1 Fujiang Street, Shengmiao Road. The area houses the Fuzhou Municipal Party Committee, the Municipal Government, and... Detailed information about Antai Subdistrict++