Shiuyi Hall

Shiuyi Hall

Shiuyi Hall at the South Campus of Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou was completed in 1929. It was donated by ten alumni of Lingnan University, including Lam Wu and Choi Cheong, and is a four-story (including basement) building in the Lingnan architectural style. At the time, it served as the College of Agriculture building for Lingnan University. After multiple renovations, it still retains much of its original appearance.

Shiuyi Hall is located at No. 537 in the northwest area. Its Western-style arched doors and windows are paired with traditional Chinese roof tiles and adorned with sapphire-blue stained glass, giving it an elegant and rustic charm. On the north wall of the building is a vertical marble plaque inscribed with the regular-script characters “Shiuyi Hall” (十友堂), calligraphed by Mr. Rong Gu. The strokes are restrained yet graceful, exuding dignity and serenity.

The name “Shiuyi” (Ten Friends) comes from the fact that the hall was built with 10,000 yuan donated by each of ten gentlemen from Hong Kong, the United States, Peru, and Guangzhou—Lam Wu, Choi Cheong, Li Yuk Tong, Li Xing Qu, Ma Ying Biu, Mui Choi Nai, Wong Sai Hei, Lai Sap Yee, Tsou Man Cho, and Tsou Din Pong. The building was completed in 1929. Other donors who contributed at least 1,000 yuan were “commemorated with separate bronze plaques,” and contributors included overseas Chinese from around the world. After its completion, it served as the College of Agriculture building for Lingnan University and is now used by the School of Physical Science and Engineering Technology.

It is worth mentioning the historical context: as national universities in China began to rise, the advantages of church-run universities gradually diminished. Some of these institutions started focusing on specific professional fields in an attempt to build a certain level of social influence. At the time, Lingnan University took a strong interest in developing agriculture and hoped to maintain a leading position in this field. Building on its existing strengths in sericulture and natural history, it even planned to develop its Department of Agriculture into a Lingnan Agricultural University. The construction of Shiuyi Hall may have been one step forward in Lingnan University’s pursuit of its “agricultural dream.”

It currently serves as the office building for the School of Physical Science and Engineering Technology at Sun Yat-sen University, located within Kangyuan Garden.

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