Xining Shanxi-Shaanxi Guild Hall

Xining Shanxi-Shaanxi Guild Hall

The Xining Shanxi-Shaanxi Guild Hall is a cultural relic protection unit of Qinghai Province.

The architecture of the Xining Shanxi-Shaanxi Guild Hall is a highly influential example of traditional Chinese design in the Xining area of Qinghai Province. The Shanxi-Shaanxi Guild Hall served as a gathering place for merchants from Shanxi and Shaanxi provinces to foster hometown camaraderie and worship the God of Wealth. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Shanxi and Shaanxi merchants left their homeland to engage in business abroad. To strengthen ties, support one another, enhance hometown bonds, exchange trade information, coordinate business disputes, and maintain harmonious relations with government authorities, it was essential to establish a shared space for discussion. Thus, the Shanxi-Shaanxi Guild Hall came into being. Historical records indicate that during the late Ming and early Qing periods, Qinghai still adhered to the trade principle of “Tibetans not entering Han areas, and Han not entering Tibetan areas.” By the Qianlong era, daring Shanxi and Shaanxi merchants, driven by a spirit of adventure and the pursuit of profit, ventured into Qinghai and even deeper into Tibetan regions for trade, reaping substantial profits. By the late Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty, their numbers had grown to over a thousand, and business flourished even more during the Republican era, giving rise to the saying “Shanxi-Shaanxi merchants half the city.” Folklore even claims, “Jinyi Lao (a business house) came before Xining City.” The establishment of the Shanxi-Shaanxi Guild Hall objectively reflects the social transformations and the rise of commercial trade in ethnic regions from the Qing Dynasty to the Republican period. It profoundly expresses the aspirations of emerging ethnic merchants for corresponding social status and, more importantly, inspires among businesspeople a humanistic spirit of inclusiveness, integrity, righteousness, and benefit to the people.

The Xining Shanxi-Shaanxi Guild Hall was first built in 1888 (the 14th year of the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty), originally located north of today’s Dongguan Street, roughly where Yiwu Trade City stands now. In July 1895, due to civil unrest in Dongguan and Nanchuan in Xining, the guild hall was burned down. Due to a severe lack of historical materials, the original appearance of the guild hall can no longer be verified. In 1899, Shanxi and Shaanxi merchants raised funds again to purchase land at the current site—Xinglong Lane on the east side of Yinma Street in Chengzhong District, then called “Houjie” (Back Street)—and rebuilt a newer, grander, more rigorously laid out, splendidly structured, and exquisitely designed Shanxi-Shaanxi Guild Hall.

Having stood for over a hundred years, this Shanxi-Shaanxi Guild Hall, compared to other ancient buildings in Xining, is relatively younger in age. Even elderly residents in their eighties can still recall its former appearance. According to data provided by the renowned local historian Mr. Jin Yude, the newly built guild hall faced south, fronting today’s Xinglong Lane and backing onto today’s Xinmin Street. It consisted of four courtyards in a row, presenting a majestic presence. In front of the guild hall was a plaza paved with bluestone slabs, flanked by brick walls adorned with exquisite brick carvings of figures and flowers, showcasing remarkable artistry. To the north of the plaza was the mountain gate, above which hung a large plaque inscribed with the words “Shanxi-Shaanxi Guild Hall” by Yu Youren, a founding father of the Kuomintang. Passing through the mountain gate and descending stone steps, one would find a bell tower and a drum tower in the courtyard. The massive bell, large drum, and flags hanging high in the plaza complemented each other, adding solemnity and dignity to the guild hall. Behind the bell and drum towers was the guild hall’s stage, facing south, with two levels. On both sides were 36 box-style second-floor rooms, collectively called the “Chunqiu Lou” (Spring and Autumn Towers). Directly opposite the stage was a three-bay main hall named the “Xiang Ting” (Fragrance Hall), behind which lay the guild hall’s principal structure—the “Guandi Dian” (Guanyu Temple). Behind the Guandi Temple was a tranquil small courtyard, with another two-story building on the north side, known as the “Sanyi Lou” (Three Virtues Tower). Flanking the Sanyi Tower were two additional small courtyards, housing the God of Wealth Shrine, a meditation courtyard, and spaces for discussions. The mountain gate, stage, Fragrance Hall, Guandi Temple, and Sanyi Tower were arranged sequentially along the central axis of the guild hall, naturally forming four interconnected yet independent courtyards. The floors of all halls were paved with square bricks, the buildings resplendent with gold and colors, their brackets soaring and colored paintings vibrant, collectively showcasing the wealth and influence of the Shanxi and Shaanxi merchants.

In 1987, the Xining Municipal People’s Government designated the Shanxi-Shaanxi Guild Hall as a municipal-level cultural relic protection unit. In 2006, the municipal government allocated substantial funds to relocate the original occupants and carried out restoration work based on the original layout and the appearance of the main halls. In 2014, another round of renovation began. After two large-scale restoration projects, the Shanxi-Shaanxi Guild Hall reopened to the public at the start of 2016. Since then, it has launched a series of cultural initiatives for the public, sparking widespread enthusiasm for cultural participation among residents.