East Meets West in Yuzhong: Exploring Chongqing’s Immigrant Culture and Historic Architecture

Yuzhong District, with its rich tapestry of history spanning 3000 years as Jiangzhou City, 800 years under Chongqing Prefecture, and 100 years since the establishment of the Liberation Monument, is fondly regarded as the "mother city" by the people of Chongqing. It's the cradle of the city's heritage and a key to truly understanding Chongqing and its people.

The "Listening to Chongqing" event recently made its way into Yuzhong District. Here, experts, think tanks and foreign students gathered at the Huguang Guild Hall. This visit provided them with a unique opportunity to witness firsthand the preservation and continuation of Chongqing's immigrant culture, deeply embedded in the district's bustling ancient architectural complexes.

Ancient architecture witnesses Chongqing's immigrant history

Walking upstream along Changbin Road, from the meeting point of the two rivers at Chaotianmen Pier, one will find a striking amber-colored cluster of traditional Chinese buildings – the Huguang Guild Hall.

"Its origins can be traced back to a significant population migration 300 years ago," shared Ke Wei, Chairman of Chongqing Yuzhong Mother City Culture Development Co., Ltd. He led both domestic and international netizens into the Huguang Guild Hall's Immigration Museum during a live broadcast, unfolding the rich tapestry of Chongqing's immigration history.

During the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, Sichuan was ravaged by wars, famine, epidemics, and tiger attacks, causing a steep decline in its population. To address this, the Qing government incentivized immigrants from other provinces to settle in Sichuan and repopulate the region. This led to the historic migration movement known as "Huguang Filling Sichuan." Ke Wei clarified, "However, 'Huguang' was just a common term; in reality, immigrants came from diverse regions including Hunan, Hubei, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Guangxi, Guangdong, and beyond."

"Our ancestors constructed guild halls, conducting comprehensive rituals to honor their forebears and pray for peace. Over time, these practices evolved into a tradition of folk customs," Ke Wei remarked. This ritualistic heritage is meticulously preserved within the Huguang Guild Hall. The hall employs these refined ceremonies to encourage young people to connect with traditional culture, effectively revealing the quintessence and allure of Chinese traditions to a global audience.

More than just architecture, it's a spiritual bond

Inside the Qianan Public Hall of the Huguang Guild Hall, three common scenarios encountered by immigrants were vividly reenacted.

"Guild halls played a crucial role in organizing fellow townspeople immigrants to support each other in times of difficulty, a practice termed 'Xiangyi Ju' (mutual assistance)," Ke Wei explained. "Moreover, they regularly held gatherings, known as 'Du Xiangqing' (deepening hometown ties), to mitigate homesickness and strengthen friendships. Additionally, for celebrations or joyous occasions among the immigrants, the guild hall would organize collective festivities, referred to as 'Lian Jia Hui' (unity and celebration)." In Ke Wei's perspective, guild halls were more than mere structures; they served as vital connectors for immigrants of that era, fostering a sense of community and support.

Alice, a foreign student from Uzbekistan, was profoundly touched by the reenacted scenes at the Huguang Guild Hall. "Living abroad can be tough. Beyond material or economic aid, the emotional support from fellow countrymen is invaluable, easing the solitude of being in a foreign land and offering hope," she reflected.

James, a foreign journalist from the Western China International Communication Organization and a "new immigrant," has called Chongqing home for over two decades. He views the city as a highly open and welcoming international metropolis. The consistent display of friendliness and warmth, he notes, has endeared many international visitors to this city.

Wang Yongqiang, an invited think tank expert and Director of the Tourism Management Department at Sichuan International Studies University's International Business School, echoed these sentiments. He emphasized the significant impact of immigrant culture and guild hall culture on shaping Chongqing's urban identity. "These influences have crafted Chongqing's defining trait – its openness and inclusiveness, much like the city's famous hotpot that welcomes a variety of ingredients, symbolizing acceptance and embracing of diverse cultures," he stated.

Addressing the preservation and propagation of immigrant and guild hall culture, Wang Yongqiang highlighted the intrinsic value of guild halls, noting their traditional architectural essence and irreplaceable historical and cultural significance. He pointed out that the Huguang Guild Hall, situated in the heart of the city, boasts valuable cultural, historical, and industrial IP assets, along with a dedicated audience, making it an ideal candidate for brand image development.

Wang Yongqiang also proposed the establishment of traditional culture inheritance centers, cultural revival exhibition bases, and cultural and artistic exchange centers within the guild hall, envisioning a "performing and exhibiting integrated guild hall cultural center." He suggested that immersive performance forms, showcasing classical performances, could offer international audiences an unparalleled experience of traditional ritual culture in Chongqing.

"We will continue to innovate, enabling the Huguang Guild Hall to further integrate into the city's spiritual fabric. Our goal is to attract more people to appreciate and engage with guild hall culture. We want them to spontaneously experience history, consciously connect with this land, and naturally develop a reverence for traditional culture while nurturing noble aspirations in their hearts," Ke Wei said.