The Qing'an Guildhall on the old Yong River waterfront is one of the finest examples of Qing dynasty commercial architecture in China, built in 1853 by the Siming Merchant Guild as both a temple to Mazu, the sea goddess, and a gathering place for Ningbo's trading community. The entrance gate and main hall are decorated with carved stone and gilded wood in a density of detail that rewards slow looking — dragons, phoenixes, historical scenes, and marine imagery cover every surface of the facade.
The guildhall has been meticulously restored and now operates as a museum documenting Ningbo's maritime trading history. The main courtyard, ceremonial stage, and several attached halls are all accessible. The stage itself — built for theatrical performances accompanying religious festivals — has carved wooden screens on three sides that are among the most technically accomplished examples of Ningbo wood carving, a craft the city has been famous for since the Song dynasty. The guildhall sits on the restored Laowaitan waterfront, surrounded by other late-Qing and early-Republic era buildings.