The Guangdong Guildhall, originally named "Nanhua Palace", covers an area of 1,316 square meters with a construction area of 1,611 square meters. It was jointly funded and built by Cantonese merchants in the 3rd year of the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty (1738). In the 22nd year of the Guangxu reign (1896), He Xionghui, a native of Guangdong who served as the military commander of Zhaotong at that time, took the lead in donating funds for its expansion and renovation.
The guildhall comprises a gate, an opera stage, a main hall, and wing rooms, forming a courtyard complex. The wood carvings and stone carvings adorning the opera stage, moon terrace, and main hall showcase exquisite craftsmanship and superb architectural artistry. Integrating traditional Chinese architecture with Lingnan architectural art, it stands as one of the representative examples of traditional architecture in Yunnan during the Qing Dynasty.
As a venue for Cantonese merchants who came to Zhaotong for business in the Qing Dynasty, the Guangdong Guildhall served multiple purposes: gathering, discussing affairs, negotiating business, mediating disputes, entertaining, and worshipping the deities of their native land. The couplets on both sides of the main hall—"慈悲自滇粤，焚戴期共梓桑" —reflect the aspirations and sentiments of Cantonese merchants in establishing Nanhua Palace, and serve as a historical testament to the social and economic development and commercial prosperity of Zhaotong in the Qing Dynasty.
In 2023, the Zhaotong Municipal People's Government raised funds for its renovation, and in November of the same year, it was designated as a municipal-level cultural heritage protection unit by Zhaotong City.
