Guild Hall Building in Southern Shaanxi: Conservation and Utilization

Abstract

The research objectives of the paper were: 1) To study the history and development of guild hall buildings in southern Shaanxi; 2) To study the characteristics, value, current status of conservation and utilization of guild hall buildings in southern Shaanxi; 3)To study suggestions for conservation and utilization of guild hall buildings in southern Shaanxi. This paper adopts a qualitative research method to study and analyze the conservation and utilization of guild hall buildings in southern Shaanxi. This study selected 5 key informants, 8 casual informants and 15 general informants. Data was collected and organized through methods such as literature review, survey, observation, interview, and group discussion. Data analysis and research led to the study results. The conclusions are as follows:

The major conclusions of this study are: 1)The first Ming Dynasty can be traced back to the history of guild halls. Its development has gone through four stages: the creation and early development of guild halls (1368-1505 ), the expansion and prosperity of guild halls(1506-1874), the transformation and modernization of guild halls (1875-1912 ), and the role and relevance of modern guild halls (1912 to the present ). However, the development of guild halls in southwestern Shaanxi is different from that of guild halls throughout the country in terms of length. This development demonstrates how important regional lifestyle and financial problems are to forming and expanding guild halls. 2) Southern Shaanxi's guild halls have special local features and a rich cultural heritage, promoting the connectivity and development of various local cultures. They play an important role in social interaction and express geographical, and cultural identity and unity. It is significant in preserving traditional stability and cultural diversity, boosting local cultural identity and supporting local economic development. 3) Although the guild hall buildings in southern Shaanxi have received some attention in the current social context, there are still a number of problems in conservation, inheritance, development and utilization. In order to enhance the identity, protection and utilization of guild hall building culture, a collaborative protection model of "graduated protection + dynamic supervision" and a utilization proposal of "living inheritance - functional regeneration" are proposed from the perspective of cultural heritage protection and cultural identity.

The research results of this study can provide a solid basis for future research on guild hall buildings in southern Shaanxi, while also opening up new academic growth points for the conservation and utilization of regional traditional buildings. Strengthen the sense of identity with the local culture for the preservation and inheritance of Guild Hall Building culture in southern Shaanxi. To create a cultural tourism brand for Guild Hall Buildings, and to provide suggestions and references for promoting local economic development.

-