Former Site of Huguang Guild Hall

Introduction to the Lake at the Former Site of Huguang Guild Hall

       The former site of Huguang Guild Hall is a key cultural relic protection unit in Beijing. The Huguang Guild Hall was first built in the 12th year of the Jiaqing reign (1808), covering a total area of over 43,000 square meters. The original entrance of the guild hall faced east, with an exquisitely carved brick gate. Inside, there was a theater, main hall, memorial hall for local notables, along with a garden. The theater was located at the front of the guild hall, with two-story viewing stands on the north, east, and west sides that could accommodate a thousand people. During the late Qing Dynasty and early Republican period, famous performers such as Tan Xinpei and Yu Shuyan performed here. Huguang Guild Hall is one of Beijing’s renowned guild halls, with its theater and rear building largely preserved. It was mainly used for fellow townsmen to stay or gather, boasting a history of 200 years. It is one of the few remaining guild halls in Beijing that still has a theater, and also the first guild hall to be restored to its original layout and opened to the public.

　　The original site of the guild hall was once the residence of high-ranking officials and notable figures during the Qing Dynasty. Historical records indicate that successive ministers during the Qianlong and Jiaqing eras lived here, such as Liu Quanzhi and Wang Jie. Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the great revolutionary of China, visited the Beijing Huguang Guild Hall five times, where he convened the First National Congress of the Kuomintang and announced its establishment, and held multiple party meetings here afterward. Many renowned performing artists from the opera world have graced the stage here, including Tan Xinpei, Chen Delin, and the famous Peking Opera patron Wang Zhijun. Although Huguang Guild Hall has a glorious history, after a century of wind and rain, it gradually lost its original splendor and fell into disrepair. In order to protect this valuable heritage left by our ancestors, in May 1984, the Beijing Municipal People's Government designated the Huguang Guild Hall as a municipal cultural relic protection unit, further affirming its value. In December 1986, Zhang Kaiji, then member of the Standing Committee of the Beijing Municipal CPPCC and chief architect of the Beijing Institute of Architectural Design, proposed the idea of restoring the old guild halls in Beijing and converting them into a drama museum. This proposal received attention from relevant leaders, who subsequently inspected the Huguang Guild Hall and made the decision to restore it. After years of efforts and collaboration by people from all walks of life, and over a decade of work, the restoration team overcame numerous challenges through collective wisdom and joint dedication. Finally, in April 1996, the restoration project of the Beijing Huguang Guild Hall was completed.

　　On May 8, 1996, the grand theater of the Beijing Huguang Guild Hall officially opened to the public. The restored theater features walls adorned with carefully researched and restored antique-style paintings. Above the stage hangs a plaque inscribed with “Nishang Tongyong” (Singing Together in Colorful Attire), and the couplet on the pillars stretches over five meters, with the upper line reading “Wei Que Gong Chao Zong Qi Xiang Wan Wan Wan Yu Dong Ting Yun Meng” (Facing the imperial court, the majestic scene echoes endlessly like the clouds and dreams of Dongting Lake) and the lower line “Kang Qu Xie Wu Dao Gong Shang Yi Pian Yi Ran Bai Xue Yang Chun” (Dancing joyfully on the broad road, the music remains as pure as the white snow and yangchun tunes). The audience area is divided into upper and lower levels, with classic octagonal tables neatly arranged, providing a comfortable environment for audiences. The rebuilt guild hall retains its original architectural style, with the overall structure being simple and elegant, spacious, exquisitely carved, and featuring secluded pathways, making it a beautiful landmark in southern Beijing with its unique charm of simplicity and refinement. After a long period of cultural relic collection and intense preparation, on September 6, 1997, the Beijing Huguang Guild Hall was established as the 100th museum in Beijing, the “Beijing Opera Museum.” The restoration of the Huguang Guild Hall has added a new attraction to Beijing, not only developing tourism resources but also aiding in patriotic education for young people. The Huguang Guild Hall is also among the first group of patriotic education bases designated by the Xuanwu District Committee and District Government.

Attraction Level:AAAGrade A Attraction

Attraction Address: The former site of Huguang Guild Hall is located on the south side of the eastern entrance of Luomashi Street in Xuanwu District (originally west of Hufangqiao)

Business Hours: Monday to Friday 09:00–18:00 (ticket sales stop at 17:00, last entry at 17:00)

               Saturday to Sunday 09:00–19:00 (ticket sales stop at 18:00, last entry at 18:00)

Recommended Travel Season: All seasons