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Beijing pledges to save a 158-year-old guild hall
By Wang Qingchu |
April 7, 2011, Thursday
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Online Edition
Online Edition
BEIJING'S Xicheng District government has pledged to protect a century-old building where famous educator and reformist Liang Qichao used to stay in the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) after media reports exposed its possible demolition.
The Xinhui Guild Hall built in 1853 will be restored to its original look and opened to the public after renovation, a Xicheng District official was cited by today's Oriental Morning Post.
The official also clarified that the guild hall was not the former residence of Liang as he only stayed there for a short time. The house where Liang wrote most of his works and organized reform activities is in the city of Tianjin and is well preserved.
Guild halls used to serve as hostels for people who came to Beijing for the imperial examination during the Ming and Qing dynasties. The exam was held by the central government to select officials from intellectuals from all over the country. Later the buildings became a gathering place for businessmen from the same region.
Earlier media reports said more than 30 guild halls scattered in Fenfang neighborhood, including the one where Liang stayed, will be knocked down along with buildings which housed over 3,000 families in the area.
The official also said many of the guild halls have had their structures changed in the course of years and very little historical value still remains. They will be demolished in a redevelopment project, the report said.
Liang is a renowned Chinese scholar, journalist, philosopher and reformist during the Qing Dynasty. He advocated democracy and inspired others with his writings.
The Xinhui Guild Hall built in 1853 will be restored to its original look and opened to the public after renovation, a Xicheng District official was cited by today's Oriental Morning Post.
The official also clarified that the guild hall was not the former residence of Liang as he only stayed there for a short time. The house where Liang wrote most of his works and organized reform activities is in the city of Tianjin and is well preserved.
Guild halls used to serve as hostels for people who came to Beijing for the imperial examination during the Ming and Qing dynasties. The exam was held by the central government to select officials from intellectuals from all over the country. Later the buildings became a gathering place for businessmen from the same region.
Earlier media reports said more than 30 guild halls scattered in Fenfang neighborhood, including the one where Liang stayed, will be knocked down along with buildings which housed over 3,000 families in the area.
The official also said many of the guild halls have had their structures changed in the course of years and very little historical value still remains. They will be demolished in a redevelopment project, the report said.
Liang is a renowned Chinese scholar, journalist, philosopher and reformist during the Qing Dynasty. He advocated democracy and inspired others with his writings.
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