Chongqing Huguang Huiguan (Huguang Guild Hall) is located in Yuzhong District, which was established during Emperor Qianlong s period of Qing Dynasty (1759). It covers a total area of 8,561 square meters. There are four Huiguan altogether: Guangdong Huiguan, Jiangnan Huiguan, Lianghu Huiguan and Jiangxi Huiguan.
Chongqing Huguang Huiguan has unique carving and relief embossment. It mainly focuses on showing the vivid pictures and patterns of the heroes and figures of Pilgrimage to the West, West Chamber, and The Legend of Deification. In Huguang Huiguan you can also appreciate many fancy pictures of all kinds of animals and exotic plants.
Detailed Description
It is a complex of halls, meeting rooms, courtyards, theaters, gardens and rooms. This complex of rooms and halls served for business, entertainment, religious and social activity and as a meeting place for people from the provinces in the southeast and east. So various buildings have identifying names like Guangdong Hall for people from Guangdong Province in the far southeast corner of the China mainland where Hong Kong is now. Other halls are called Jiangnan Hall ( ) that means south of the river for people from the area south of the Yangtze River; Lianghu Hall ( ) that means the two Hu provinces meaning Hunan Province and Hubei Province; and the Jiangxi Hall ( ) for people from Jiangxi Province. There is a temple there called Yuwanggong where people used to pray for harvests. There is also a city gate outside the complex called Dong Shuimen that is one of Chongqing s best preserved city gates.
After entering the Huiguan, you will get a full view of complex and delicate ancient buildings, which represent the architectural style of old-time southern China. These are the biggest ancient buildings still existing in China. You will enjoy varied sorts of special wall styles of the Huiguan, which used to be a very common yellow-fire wall in Ming and Qing Dynasties. This kind of wall shaped the whole Huguang Huiguan in "L" style, which will bring a shocking visual impact to you.
Features:
1. Old architecture. Some of the construction is more than 200 years old.
2. Renovated for opera, traditional music and theater performances.
3. A museum about the westward resettlement.
4. Restaurants and shops.
5. Dong Shuimen gate is just outside the complex. It is one of Chongqing s best preserved city gates.
Touring Activities:
1. Learn about Chinese architecture styles, social activities, and religion.
2. Learn about the history of Sichuan and Chongqing.
3. Photography.
4. Watch theater performers, opera, musical performers, acrobats and other entertainment.
5. Enjoy the tea and food in the teahouses and restaurants.
6. See the preserved Dong Shuimen city gate.
7. You can cross over Changjiang Binjiang Road and see the river and walk along the narrow park area on the bank.
Nearby Attractions:
Around the city area, there are several tour highlights. For more shopping, Face Changing Sichuan Opera, and restaurants, there is a small pedestrian area composed of two city streets and alleys called Ciqikou to the northwest along the Jialing River. Other nearby attractions include the Three Gorges Museum, the Great Hall of the People, and Chongqing Zoo.