Huguang Guild Hall (湖广会馆) is a historic architectural complex located in the center of Chongqing, consisting of ancient buildings such as Guangdong Guild Hall, Qi’an Guild Hall, and the Temple of Yu the Great, along with some newer structures built in a traditional style. Established during the reign of Emperor Kangxi in the Qing Dynasty, the guild hall complex is nearly 300 years old and is one of the largest ancient guild hall complexes found in the central districts of Chinese cities.
The architecture of Huguang Guild Hall is grand and majestic, with its halls and courtyards arranged in a harmonious layout. The buildings feature elegant and ancient designs, reflecting the rich culture of Chongqing during the Qing Dynasty. The guild hall stands as a testament to the city’s prosperous commercial history and is an important marker of the immigration culture, commercial culture, and architectural culture of Chongqing from the early Qing period to the early Republic of China.
Travel Information about Huguang Guild Hall
Ticket and Opening Hours
Ticket Price: 25 RMB
Opening Hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (last ticket sale at 5:00 PM)
Access to the Scenic Area
Location: No. 1, Bajiaoyuan, Changbin Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing
Transportation: Take Metro Line 1 or Line 6 to Xiaoshizhi Station and walk to the guild hall.
Attraction Ratings
- Cultural Experience: ★★★★★
- Special Features: ★★★★
- Leisure: ★★
- Scenic Beauty: ★★
- Romantic: ★★
- Adventure: ★
Highlights of Huguang Guild Hall
Yu Wang Palace
Yu Wang Palace (禹王宫, Yu The Great Palace) was originally built during the reign of Emperor Kangxi in the Qing Dynasty and is the largest structure within the Huguang Guild Hall complex, occupying about one-third of the entire site. The palace includes several key areas: the Yu Wang Temple, large and small opera stages, corridors, a conference hall, and a reception hall. The palace’s intricate carvings, with images of people, flowers, birds, and insects, showcase exquisite craftsmanship, vividly bringing the scenes to life.
Yu Wang Hall: The hall is a grand example of a double-eaved hip-and-gable roof structure, with the roofs resembling orderly arranged banners. The hall is imposing in its scale, and between the main hall and the square sits an ornate opera stage with walls and screens painted in vibrant colors. Especially notable are the wood carvings under the eaves of the main hall and opera stage, depicting stories from the “Twenty-Four Filial Exemplars” as well as characters and scenes from Chinese classics like Journey to the West and Fengshen Yanyi (The Investiture of the Gods). These carvings are exceptionally detailed and lifelike.
Statue of Yu the Great: In the center of the main hall sits a statue of Yu the Great, an important figure in Chinese legend, known for controlling the floods. His stern and dignified appearance is brought to life in the statue, with sharp, penetrating eyes. In front of the statue are incense burners and candles, and the surrounding railing is adorned with red lucky charms. Three plaques hang in the hall, with the middle one reading “Benefiting the Nine Provinces,” and the ones on either side bearing inscriptions of “Stars Shake the Ba Gorge” and “Jiangxia Calms the Waters.”
Opera Stages: The palace features three opera stages—two large and one small. The main stage, which faces the grand hall, was used for performances in honor of Yu the Great, and as such, it is the largest and most prestigious. Behind the main hall, in front of the second hall, stands another opera stage within the courtyard. The small stage boasts intricate wood carvings, including dragons protruding from the roof beams (dougong), symbolizing a dragon locking the Yangtze River. These carvings face the river, symbolizing the power of the dragon over the water. The stage also features carvings of the Eight Immortals, the Eighteen Arhats, and smaller panels that depict stories from traditional Chinese opera.
Plaque Museum
The Plaque Museum, located in the right wing of the main hall of Yu Wang Palace, showcases a collection of plaques, with a total of 69 plaques from the Ming, Qing, and Republican periods in the Sichuan and Chongqing regions. Each plaque holds a fascinating story, and they are categorized into five themes: Commending Achievements, Encouraging Learning, House Naming, Celebrating Commerce, and Wishing Longevity.
One of the most ancient and valuable plaques in the museum is carved from “golden wood” ebony, known as “the gold of woods.” This plaque, featuring the four golden characters “锦绣腾辉” (Embroidered Splendor Soaring), dates back to the Xuande era of the Ming Dynasty, making it over 500 years old.
Immigration Museum
The Immigration Museum reflects the historical migration movement known as “Huguang Fills Sichuan”, which took place during the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. At that time, constant warfare, plagues, and natural disasters devastated the Sichuan region, leaving the land barren and the population severely depleted. After the Qing Dynasty unified China, a large-scale migration was organized to repopulate Sichuan, with people from Hunan, Hubei, Guangdong, and Guangxi moving into the region.
This migration, which lasted over a century, brought more than one million people into Sichuan, with about half of them coming from Hunan and Hubei. Among the Hubei migrants, those from Macheng played a significant role, as many descendants trace their roots back to this town in Xiaogan, though this remains a subject of academic study.
Within the museum, one can still admire the ornate carvings and architecture, but the stories of this mass migration are now part of the historical record, evoking deep reflection on the struggles and resilience of those who moved to rebuild the land. The museum serves as a reminder of the immense effort it took to restore Sichuan to prosperity after such devastation.
Qi’an Guild Hall
Qi’an Guild Hall was established by immigrants from the Huangzhou Prefecture in Hubei, one of the key regions contributing to the large-scale migration known as “Huguang Fills Sichuan.” During the Tang Dynasty, Huangzhou was referred to as Qi’an, which is why the guild hall was named after this ancient designation.
The architecture of Qi’an Guild Hall follows a central axis layout, with key structures arranged in sequence: the theater stage, courtyard, viewing hall, embracing hall, and main hall, flanked by auxiliary buildings on both sides.
What makes the Qi’an Guild Hall particularly notable is its theater stage, which is regarded as one of the most well-preserved and intricately designed stages in the entire Chongqing Huguang Guild Hall complex. The detailed craftsmanship and lifelike sculptures on the stage reflect exceptional artistic skills, making it an outstanding cultural relic of the period.
Function of the Guild Hall:
As a regional organization, the guild hall’s primary function was to unite people from the same hometown and foster a sense of community. It served as a venue for worshiping local deities, performing hometown operas, and providing mutual support among fellow countrymen. Wealthy and influential figures were elected to lead the guild, organizing both commercial and social activities.
The guild hall held regular meetings on the first and fifteenth days of each lunar month. During major festivals such as Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, and Chinese New Year, banquets and performances were held to honor deities and celebrate. Each guild hall had an altar, where gods like the God of Wealth, Zhao Gongyuan, and Guan Sheng Dijun were worshiped. Some halls had their own specific deities, such as Mazu in the Fujian Guild Hall and General Nan in the Yungui Guild Hall. These events, particularly the opera performances, often lasted for three to seven days, creating a lively and vibrant atmosphere.
Guangdong Guild Hall
Guangdong Guild Hall, originally built during the reign of Emperor Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty and later reconstructed in the Jiaqing period, features an elegant and intricate architectural style. The main structure follows a siheyuan (courtyard house) layout, which emphasizes fine craftsmanship and ornate details, especially in its theater stage.
The theater is the main venue for performances at the Huguang Guild Hall complex, capable of seating 300 spectators at once. The eaves under the gallery roof are supported by brackets adorned with openwork carvings depicting scenes from the famous story “Fengshen Bang” (The Investiture of the Gods). Below the stage, more intricate carvings illustrate stories from “Romance of the Three Kingdoms”. The two plaques hanging on the side wings are inscribed with the phrases “游目” (Feast for the Eyes) and “骋怀” (Heart Expanding), symbolizing the delight and inspiration one receives from watching performances.
Dongshuimen (East Water Gate)
Dongshuimen, located next to the Huguang Guild Hall and near the old river docks, was once a bustling area filled with inns, taverns, and shops. Over time, the ancient stone streets gradually disappeared, but Dongshuimen remains one of the nine open and eight closed city gates of old Chongqing, representing an important piece of the city’s history. It has been well-preserved and is recognized as a municipal-level cultural relic protection site.
Today, the ancient city walls around Dongshuimen have been restored, reviving the charm of this historical gate. Below it, the Dongshui Post Traditional Commercial Street has also been reopened after restoration. Stretching over 100 meters, this street is a hub for local Chongqing handicrafts and arts, featuring live demonstrations of Shu embroidery and stone carving. Visitors can also purchase traditional crafts such as Liangping bamboo curtains, Rongchang ceramics, and Rongchang fans, showcasing the richness of local craftsmanship.
Visitor Guide for Huguang Guild Hall
Recommended Restaurants
Here are two recommended restaurants near the Huguang Guild Hall in Chongqing with Chinese names and dish translations:
Fanjianghu 饭江湖
Known for its flavorful dishes, Fanjianghu offers a delightful dining experience with signature items like braised eel (鳝段) and pickled radish skin (萝卜皮). The open-air seating provides a great view, perfect for enjoying the scenery while sipping tea or indulging in a large bowl of local wine.
Address: No. 6, Bajiaoyuan, Changjiang Riverside Road, Yuzhong District
Bashenghui Ancient Sichuan Cuisine Experience Hall 八省会古川菜体验馆
This restaurant combines traditional decor with elegantly plated dishes for a visually and tastefully rich experience. Paired with beautiful river views, it’s an ideal spot for savoring classic Sichuan flavors. Recommended dishes include Guaiwei Yijue (怪味一绝), Niuti Chongtian (牛气冲天,) Pine Needle Hand-Grasped Bones (松毛手抓骨), and Garlic Pork Rolls (蒜泥白肉卷). Don’t miss their homemade plum wine (青梅酒) for a refreshing touch.
Address: No. 1, Bajiaoyuan, Changjiang Riverside Road, Yuzhong District
Recommended Hotels
Xianyu Riverside Art B&B 闲隅江景艺术民宿
This elegant and comfortable B&B is located near Jiefangbei and offers stunning views of the river and Chongqing’s vibrant night scenery. Each room has a poetic name and is beautifully arranged, providing a serene atmosphere. The service is also excellent, making it a perfect place for travelers to unwind.
Address: 32nd Floor, Deyi Building, No. 19 Gongyuan Road, Yuzhong District
Mingqing Inn 明清客栈
The moment you step inside this inn, you’ll be captivated by its charm, featuring a small pond, artificial hills, and two friendly cats. The architecture and décor are unique, with the building undergoing regular maintenance to preserve its historic appeal. This two-story courtyard inn has accommodation in the front, and at the back, there’s a cozy bar where you can enjoy simple drinks like tea and coffee.
Address: No. 23 Xiahongxue Alley, Yuzhong District
Things to Do at Huguang Guild Hall
Chinese Opera: Enjoy daily performances of traditional Chinese opera in the theater, where you can immerse yourself in the captivating stories and artistry. This experience allows you to appreciate the profound connection between life and art, as the saying goes, “Life is like a play, and a play is like life.”
Tea Art and Tea Ceremony: Experience the rich culture of traditional Chinese tea ceremonies, which have been celebrated for centuries both domestically and internationally. These exquisite performances, inspired by tea, not only enhance the enjoyment of the fragrant brew but also captivate audiences with the spiritual essence of tea culture.
Bayu Song and Dance: Witness the vibrant expression of the 3,000-year-old Bayu culture through dazzling song and dance performances. The artistry and energy will leave you mesmerized and deeply appreciative of the region’s rich heritage.
Chongqing Folk Customs: Explore the fascinating world of Chongqing’s folk customs, featuring live demonstrations of traditional handicrafts. This hands-on experience allows you to witness the artisans at work and even participate in creating your own piece, enriching your understanding of local culture.