Waijiang Liyuan Guild Hall

Waijiang Liyuan Guild Hall

The Waijiang Liyuan Guild Hall is a cultural heritage site protected by Chaozhou Municipality.

The Waijiang Liyuan Guild Hall is located on Shangshuimen Street in Chaozhou city proper. Its original construction date is unknown, but it was renovated during the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty. It served as a gathering place for troupes of the Waijiang opera and Teochew opera performers in the Chaozhou region at the time. The guild hall faces south and has an entrance plaque inscribed with six Chinese characters reading “Waijiang Liyuan Guild Hall.” Under the eaves of the gate tower, there are exquisitely carved inlays. Stone drums flank the entrance on both sides. The front facade of the guild hall is over 12 meters wide and extends more than 23 meters in depth. The roof is inlaid with colorful ceramic tiles decorated with vivid depictions of flowers, birds, insects, and fish. The entire structure consists of three sections, featuring a wooden frame supported by bracket sets and beams. Both the main and secondary ridges are adorned with Chaozhou-style ceramic figurines depicting human figures. The first and second sections have open-air courtyards and connecting corridors, all built with pitched or arched roofs. The second section resembles a theatrical stage in structure, with its pavilion, hall, and rooms forming a compact whole. The third section collapsed long ago. Seven stone tablets inlaid along the inner walls record the names of donors from various renovation efforts over the years. The guild hall suffered extensive damage during the Cultural Revolution, with many stone carvings and wooden ornaments destroyed. In recent years, donations from concerned individuals both in China and abroad have enabled gradual restoration. It now serves as the activity venue for the Chaozhou Folk Music Troupe. In 1987, it was listed as a municipal-level key cultural relics protection site in Chaozhou.