Cangwu Yuedong Guild Hall

　　  The Cangwu Yuedong Guild Hall is located in the county seat of Cangwu County, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, about 12 kilometers from downtown Wuzhou. It is the oldest surviving Yuedong Guild Hall in Guangxi. According to the "Record of the Reconstruction of the Yuedong Guild Hall" inscribed on a stele from the 53rd year of the Qianlong reign in the Qing Dynasty, after goods from Guangdong were transported into Guangxi, Longxu (now Cangwu) became their distribution hub, and many Cantonese merchants settled there. As a result, a Temple to Lord Guan was established early on by the Cantonese community for worship and gatherings.

　　  In the 53rd year of the Kangxi reign, “the temple was converted into a guild hall.”

　　  By the 53rd year of the Qianlong reign, the Yuedong Guild Hall underwent a major renovation and expansion project. “The old foundation was expanded and a new layout created,” forming the architectural complex we see today. The existing structures feature high-quality materials, a refined combination of brick, wood, and stone carvings, delicate craftsmanship, and beautifully colored plaster sculptures and paintings. They hold significant value for studying the architectural art of Guangxi and Guangdong, as well as for understanding the evolution of architectural styles in the two regions during the transition between the Ming and Qing dynasties.

　　  They are also important for researching the history of Cangwu and the commercial trade of the time.

　　  The Cangwu Yuedong Guild Hall covers a total area of 537 square meters, with a built-up area of 459 square meters. It consists of the main parts of the original guild hall structure—the Mountain Gate, the Hall of Lord Guan, and the Heavenly Queen Palace. The guild hall buildings that once stood on both sides have been demolished after the Cultural Revolution. Today, the statues in the central and rear halls are still intact, with flourishing incense offerings, making it a historic site renowned across Guangdong and Guangxi.