The Xiqin Assembly Hall lies at the foot of Longfeng Mountain in the middle of Zigong City, Sichuan Province.
The hall’s construction work began in 1736 and was completed in 1751. It covers an area of over 3,000 square meters and cost over 50,000 liang (1 liang = 50 grams) of silver raised by Shaanxi salt merchants who traded in Zigong.
The Xiqin Assembly Hall has an exquisite design that combines the architectural style of the palace and residential house of the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties. Main constructions were built along the 86-meter-long central axis with secondary constructions, such as corridors, side buildings and balconies, on the sides. This group of constructions has different levels of arrangements that gradually ascend upwards. Various styles of roofs have been assembled to form a huge composite roof, bringing more grandness to the entire hall. A large number of exquisite wooden carvings, stone tablets, color paintings and clay sculptures are scattered throughout the hall, providing precious insight into the study of social life, drama, song, dance and religious art of the Qing Dynasty.
The hall’s main constructions include the Wusheng Palace Gate, the Xianji Building, the Daguan Building, the Fuhai Building, the Jinyong Pavilion and the Bigu Pavilion — all sculpted in a singular and grand fashion. Other constructions include the middle hall, decorated with ornate furnishings, and the solemn front hall. The Xiqin Assembly Hall was opened to the public as a Historical Museum of the Zigong Salt Industry in 1959.
(Source: chinaculture.org)
