In the early summer, a gentle rain quietly descended upon Sheqi county of Nanyang city, soaking into every corner of the town. Amid the misty drizzle, the Shanxi-Shaanxi Guild Hall, first built during the reign of Emperor Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty, stood out in solemn elegance. The aged gray bricks and dark tiles bear the imprint of time, and this ancient complex, once a hub for bustling merchants, now tells the story of history's ebb and flow through its silent yet powerful presence.
Construction of the Sheqi Shanxi-Shaanxi Guild Hall began in 1756, the 21st year of Qianlong's reign, and was not completed until 1892, during the 18th year of Emperor Guangxu's reign, spanning 136 years and several generations. The site itself was carefully chosen: Sheqi sat at a key crossroads of north-south trade, where land and water routes converged. Known as a vital gateway connecting nine provinces, the town was an ideal location. (Chinese source: Henan Daily Photo: Deng Fang)
