Hunan Guild Hall

Hunan Guild Hall

The Hunan Guild Hall is a cultural tourism attraction.

Renowned for its unique structure, ingenious design, elaborate carvings, and intricate floral and human motifs, it is hailed as the “Crown Jewel of Hunan Guild Halls.” Among the “Four Great Guild Halls” of Gongcheng (Guangdong, Hunan, Fujian, and Jiangxi), it is the only one that remains fully preserved to this day.

The Hunan Guild Hall is situated on Taihe Street in Gongcheng County and is a Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit of Guangxi.

Constructed in the 11th year of the Tongzhi reign during the Qing Dynasty (1872 AD), the guild hall was funded by the Hunanese hometown association during a period of thriving waterway commerce. It covers an area of 184 square meters and consists of a gate tower, stage, main hall, and side chambers.

The guild hall’s entrance features a stone-carved couplet: “A resting place for travelers where seven streams and three rivers unite in shared hometown pride; a heavenly abode blessed for a thousand autumns and a hundred generations to jointly guard Tea City.” The entire complex is laid out with meticulous symmetry, featuring red walls, yellow tiles, glistening green and gold hues, soaring upturned eaves, and an imposing grandeur. The main hall is exquisitely decorated with lavish murals and ornamentation. The front and rear wind eaves are finely carved, while the painted designs on the eave walls are refreshingly innovative. Inside the hall stands a convex-shaped stage spanning 105 square meters, built upon a bluestone foundation with 36 earthen jars buried beneath to enhance acoustics. The auditorium can accommodate over 1,000 people. The site also houses the “Number One Teapot of Guangxi,” along with various tea ceremonies and cultural performances. Visitors can sip on the region’s signature oil tea and Chinese teas while enjoying the two-thousand-year-old Nuo dance performed by the Yao ethnic group on the ancient stage—dating back hundreds of years—which further highlights the profound richness of Chinese tea culture.

Dining / Accommodation / Shopping

Local oil tea and a variety of snacks are available throughout Gongcheng County. Drop by any small alley or street-side food stall to try the oil tea praised by Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty as the “Soup That Refreshes the Spirit,” known for its carefully selected ingredients. Unique snacks include “Paisan,” “chestnuts,” “taro cake,” and “lampstand pancake.”

Transportation

1. From Yangshuo Bus Station, take a bus to Gongcheng from Guilin (regular bus fare approx. ¥5/person).

2. Alternatively, take a bus from Guilin to Gongcheng (air-conditioned direct express bus ¥15/person, regular bus ¥13/person).

Admission / Opening Hours: ¥7/person.