Chen Clan Ancestral Temple, or Chen Clan Academy, also known as the Ancestral Temple of the Chen Family or Chen's Lineage Hall, was a place in Guangzhou both for offering up sacrifices to ancestors and for study. Nowadays, it serves as Guangdong Folk Arts Museum to show the most characteristic Guangdong architecture.
History of the Chen Clan Ancestral Temple
In the late of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), a man named Chen got the third place in the highest imperial examination and had conferred upon him a distinguished office title which made the Family Chen well-known. Later someone suggested that all the Chen's families raise money to build a temple to sacrifice to the ancestors and encourage their offspring likewise to study hard. Therefore, the temple was finished in 1894 with the money donated by Chen's families in 72 counties of Guangdong Province as well as some overseas members of Family Chen.
What to see?
Chen Clan Ancestral Temple is a compound complex consisting of nine halls, six courtyards and nineteen buildings connected by corridors, all separated by walls from the outside world. A pair of stone drums in front of the entrance door, measuring 2.55 meters in height and two colored drawing pictures of door-god of four meters height are said to be the best in Guangdong.
The Chen Clan Academy was constructed in the traditional Chinese symmetrical style and the main hall, the Juxian Hall is in the center of the temple. Juxian Hall was once a place for clansmen to assemble before the establishment of the temple and now it is used as an ancestral hall. In front of the hall is a stone gazebo surrounded by stone balustrades. In the hall there is an exquisitely carved folding screen which is an excellent example of woodcarving.
The most impressive attractions of the Ancestral Temple of the Chen Family are various superb carvings extolling nature. They are in the forms of wood, brick, pottery, stone, lime and things like that, of which wood carving especially fully demonstrates the great achievements of the art of carving in Guangdong Province. Stories of historical celebrities and scenes are also vividly represented in the temple.
The Chen Clan Ancestral Temple in Guangzhou City, the Ancestors' Temple in Foshan City, the former Residence of Sun Yat-sen in Zhongshan City and the Opium War Memorial Hall in
Dongguan City are regarded as the four major cultural tourist sites in Guangdong Province.
Travel Tips
Add: the Chen Clan Ancestral Temple,
Guangzhou City
Opening Hours: 08:30 -17:30 (ticketing ends at 17:00)
Entrance Fee: CNY 10