Chen Clan Ancestral Hall (Chen Clan Academy) 陈家祠

The Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, also known as Chen Clan Academy or Chenjiaci, is a large family temple in Guangzhou’s Liwan District. Chen clans from many counties across Guangdong pooled funds to build it, and construction began in 1888. Besides honoring ancestors, it gave Chen clan members coming to the city for imperial examinations, official business, tax matters or legal affairs a place to stay. In 1959 the site became the Guangdong Folk Art Museum, and in 1988 it was named a National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit. The museum was later recognised as a national first-class museum and holds about 20,000 objects, with strong representation of Guangdong crafts.

The building is a fine introduction to Lingnan architecture. Its plan is arranged across three axes and three progressions, with nine halls and six courtyards, and the whole site covers about 15,000 square metres. Almost every part carries decoration: wood, stone and brick carving, ceramic and plaster sculpture, copper and iron castings, and painted murals. Outside the main entrance, six large brick reliefs show scenes such as Liangshan heroes and phoenixes among paulownia and willow. Inside, carved wooden screens, roof ridges and grey plasterwork reward slow looking.

Don't miss

• Six large brick reliefs on the main entrance walls
• Double-sided carved wooden screens with historical tales
• Ceramic figures along the roof ridges
• Grey plaster scenes across ridges and corridors
• Juxian Hall, the tall central hall

Visiting tips

The hall is at No. 34 Enlong Li, Zhongshan Seventh Road, Liwan District, beside Chen Clan Academy metro station. Allow time for both the building and the folk-art museum, whose collection includes Shiwan pottery, Guangzhou coloured porcelain and Canton embroidery.