Ask a QuestionHuguang Guild Hall (also known as Yuwang Temple or Yuwang Palace), is a historic architectural complex located in the Yuzhong district of Chongqing, China. It was originally built during the 24th year of the Qianlong reign in the Qing dynasty to serve merchants from Hubei and Hunan provinces who were doing business in Chongqing. The complex includes guild halls from Guangdong, Jiangnan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, and four opera stages, including the Guangdong House and Qi'an House. The architectural style of the Huguang Guild Hall represents the art of southern Chinese architecture during the Ming and Qing dynasties and is one of the largest ancient guild hall complexes in China.
The Huguang Guild Hall covers an area of 8,561 square meters and is situated on a slope with a height difference of nearly 40 meters. The layout is adapted to the terrain, with tiered platforms that integrate fully with the natural topography, reflecting the strong mountainous characteristics of the region. The buildings mostly follow the courtyard layout of the Ming and Qing periods, with different roof structures that inherit the typical architectural styles of Guangdong, Guangxi, Hunan, Hubei, and Jiangnan regions, while also incorporating traditional Chongqing architectural features. The entire complex consists of five parts:
1. Opera stage: For cultural entertainment among fellow townspeople.
2. Courtyard: Provides an open-air space for watching performances and gatherings.
3. Side rooms: Located on both sides, used as council halls.
4. Main hall: For worshiping Yu the Great or sages.
5. Wing rooms: Located on both sides of the courtyard, for reading and lodging.
Yuwang Palace（禹王宫）: Named after Yu the Great, whom it worships, Yuwang Palace was built during the Kangxi reign of the Qing dynasty. It covers an area of 2,270 square meters and is one of the larger buildings in the Huguang Guild Hall complex. The bronze statue of Yu the Great is a prominent example of Ming and Qing architectural style.
Immigration Museum（移民博物馆）: As China's first immigration-themed museum, it displays hundreds of items related to the lives of immigrants and tells the legendary stories of the migration route "Huguang Tian Sichuan."
Guangdong House（广东会所）: Known for its intricate dragon carvings, it is the largest opera stage in the complex. The octagonal caisson ceiling（八角藻井）is particularly notable for its artistic and practical value, serving both decorative and acoustic purposes. The use of this ancient palace architectural element from the Central Plains not only serves as a testament to the Hakka people's inheritance and continuation of Central Plains culture but also integrates the concept of the "Bagua Taiji diagram" from Chinese Taoism.
Qi'an House（齐安会所）: Unique for its stone-built gate and walls set at a 15-degree angle, it is the most exquisite opera stage in the complex. It also features life-sized wax figures recreating scenes of guild hall life.
Regular large-scale performances about Bayu culture are held on the stage of Qi'an House, usually in the afternoon. These include “Bayu Dance”, “Face-Changing”, and “Old Bayu Hot Pot”etc, allowing visitors to experience the charm of traditional culture while enjoying the show.
Bayu Dance: A dance that incorporates various aspects of Chinese traditional culture and is one of the most influential pre-battle dances from ancient times.
Face-Changing: Recognized as one of the first batches of China’s intangible cultural heritage, it allows for close interaction with the audience and showcases the unique skills of Sichuan opera.
Old Bayu Hot Pot: A performance that uses modern dance to interpret the hot pot cuisine, blending tradition with modernity and showcasing the spicy flavor of Chongqing, the mountain city.
1. Subway: Take Line 1 to Xiaoshizi Station（小什字站）, exit 8, and walk there.
2. Cableway: Take the Yangtze River Cableway and walk straight ahead along the path to reach it.
3. Bus: Take bus 414, 440, or 480 to Huguang Guild Hall Station and walk there.
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