Nanxiong Guangzhou Guild Hall

Nanxiong Guangzhou Guild Hall

The Nanxiong Guangzhou Guild Hall is a cultural relic protection unit of Guangdong Province.

The Guangzhou Guild Hall is located on Buxian Street in the urban area (now Guangren Primary School). It was established during the Ming Dynasty's Wanli era by Guangzhou merchants residing in Xiongzhou. The guild hall faces south, has three courtyards, covers a total area of 3,834 square meters, and has a usable area of 2,510 square meters. It was rebuilt in the 21st year of the Qianlong reign (1756). The horizontal inscribed board above the main gate features a stone plaque inscribed with the words “Guangzhou Guild Hall,” written by Chen Li, a renowned scholar of modern Lingnan, during its renovation in the seventh year of the Guangxu reign (1881) in early winter. The front pillars of the main hall bear a long couplet composed by Li Wentian, a top imperial examination candidate (Tan Hua) during the Xianfeng era: “Sacred traces spread across the region; the Cantonese guilds eastward encircle and gaze afar, embracing the vast maritime expanse. The mighty prefecture opens onto the mountainous frontier; the Zhen River flows southward, converging in tribute, all guarding the immortal city.”

The Guangzhou Guild Hall is exquisitely crafted with painted beams and carved rafters, embodying an ancient elegance. It is an architectural site of significant archaeological and aesthetic value. On July 17, 2002, it was included in the fourth batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units of Guangdong Province.

Further Reading:

· Fourth Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units of Guangdong Province