Shan-Shaan-Gan Guild Hall
山陕甘会馆
A guild hall built in the Qianlong era by merchants from Shanxi, Shaanxi and Gansu. Its brick, wood and stone carvings, known as the 'Three Masterpieces,' are exquisite and make it a hidden gem of the old city.
The Shan-Shaan-Gan Guild Hall stands on Xufu Street, next to Bookstore Street and the Drum Tower. Built in 1776 (the 41st year of the Qianlong era) by merchants from Shanxi, Shaanxi and Gansu, it serves as both a guild hall and a Guandi Temple, and is a national key cultural relic protection site. Though not large, it preserves the complete layout of a screen wall, an opera stage, bell and drum towers, a memorial archway and a main hall. Its greatest highlight is the brick, wood and stone carving covering the buildings. On the screen wall, glazed 'dragons playing with a pearl' and brick carvings of loyalty, righteousness, benevolence and courage stand out. Layer upon layer of wood carvings of figures, flowers, birds and auspicious beasts decorate the eaves of the opera stage and main hall. Known as the 'Three Masterpieces,' their fine detail is rare in the Central Plains. The main hall enshrines Guan Yu, and side halls display exhibits on the history of Shanxi merchants. Tickets cost about RMB 25, and a visit takes about 45 minutes to an hour. Few visitors come, making it the quietest historic site in the old city. Getting there: about 5 minutes' walk from the Drum Tower, or 10 minutes from Xiangguo Temple; many bus routes stop at the Drum Tower. Suggested itinerary: in the afternoon, stroll Bookstore Street (a Qing-era commercial street with brush, ink and paper shops, antique stores and creative cafés), then visit the guild hall, and in the evening head to the Drum Tower Night Market. Tips: wood carving details require looking up, so bring a small pair of binoculars or use your phone's telephoto lens; flash photography is banned inside the hall.
Opening hours
About 08:30–17:30
Nearby sights
- Shudian Street
- Qishengjiao Folk Culture Street
- Song Dynasty Imperial Street
- Drum Tower Night Market
- Bianliang Xiaosongcheng Food Court
- Daxiangguo Temple
- Zhouqiao Bridge & Bian River Site
- Former Residence of Liu Qingxia