Shiping Guild House in Kunming

Kunming Shiping Guild Hall, located at No. 24 Zhonghe Alley, Cuihu South Road, is a historic and culturally rich building. Built in the Qing Dynasty’s Qianlong period over 200 years ago, it was renovated in 1921 by Mr. Yuan Jiagui and Mr. Zhang Zhijiang, aiming to provide accommodation and a trade venue for students, travelers, and businessmen from Shiping in Kunming.

Location and History

  • Location: No. 24 Zhonghe Alley, Cuihu South Road, Kunming
  • History: Built in the Qing Dynasty’s Qianlong period (over 200 years ago), renovated in 1921

Architectural Features

  • Structure: Two – story, three – courtyard traditional wooden structure
  • Style: Showcases Kunming’s traditional residential “horsetail – corner – building” style
  • Design Elements: Combines Western and traditional Chinese elements
    • Brick – built Western – style archway at the front
    • Single – eave Chinese – style gate at the back
  • Decorations: Exquisite wood carvings with smooth lines and vivid images; carved doors and windows are gilded with beautiful patterns

Cultural and Historical Significance

  • Historical Witness: Has seen the close ties between Shiping and Kunming, as well as social changes and progress
  • Cultural Artifacts: Inside, there’s a plaque “Three – Island Pure Style” by Lin Zexu, a couplet “Cloud Root Literature” by Yuan Jiagui on the gate柱, and many famous people’s paintings and calligraphy on the walls
  • Value: Testifies to Yunnan’s 200 – plus – year economic and cultural exchanges, with high historical and artistic value

Present – Day Experience

  • Cultural Atmosphere: Unique architecture and cultural atmosphere
  • Culinary Experience: Offers authentic Yunnan dishes like Shiping tofu and Zhuangyuan dried bar – shaped noodles
  • Status: The most intact guild hall in Kunming, listed as a “Kunming Cultural Heritage Protected Building” and announced as a provincial – level cultural relic protection unit in 2019