Temple of Chen Family

Temple of Chen Family, also known as Chen Clan Academy, was built between 1890 and 1894 during the reign of Emperor Guangxu of the Qing dynasty. It was built with donations of the Chen family then spread in 72 counties in Guangdong province. The temple used to provide lodgings for candidates of the Chen family who came to Guangdong to prepare for imperial examinations in Guangzhou. With a history of more than 100 years and still in its original shape, now it is the largest, best preserved, and best decorated ancient architecture existing in Guangdong province.

Chen Family Temple used to provide lodgings for candidates of the Chen family who came to Guangdong to prepare for imperial examinations in Guangzhou. This temple is a symmetric complex consisting of 19 buildings with nine halls and six courtyards. Two main courtyards of them are quite main buildings. The front one was used for study of the Confucian classics while the back one housed a temple to the ancestors of the Chen clan. In 1986, it was designated as an important cultural relic by the State Council. The temple is now the site of the Museum of Guangdong Folk Arts and Crafts. The scenes depict stories from Chinese literature and folklore and include real and mythical animals. The whole complex now houses the Guangdong Folk Art Museum showing Chinese handicrafts, and is remarkably well-preserved. The cultural revolution did little damage to it.

The Chen Clan Ancestral Hall is notable for the rich decorations which exist inside, outside the halls and in almost every beams, ridges, walls and columns. This make the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall a large collection of wood carving, stone carving, brick carving, pottery, plaster and iron engraving. The Chen Clan Ancestral Hall complex exemplifies traditional Chinese architecture and decoration style, and has influenced cultural and architectural developments worldwide. It was added in the list of "Cultural Relics of National Importance under the Protection of the State" in 1988.

Basic Information

• Address: Zhongshan 7th Road, Liwan District, Guangzhou.
• Ticket Price: Adults 10 RMB

Must-visit attraction

Roof Ridge Decorations

The roof ridge decorations of Chen Clan Academy are extremely eye - catching. There are 11 flower ridges in total, with a total length of 165 meters. The flower ridges are divided into two layers. The lower layer is a lime - plastic ridge base, and the upper layer is a ceramic sculpture fired in Shiwan. The ceramic sculptures use glass glaze colors, mainly in five colors such as yellow, green, blue, brown, and white. The patterns are rich, the images are vivid, and the craftsmanship is unique. At both ends of each flower ridge, there is a unique - shaped animal, the ao fish, which is said to be able to prevent fire and disaster.
 

Brick Carvings

On the blue brick eaves walls on both sides of the main entrance, there are six large - scale brick carvings, two of which are 4.8 meters long and 2 meters wide. These brick carvings are made of high - quality blue brick，using relief and round - carving techniques. The figures, birds, and beasts are vivid, and the carving is fine and three - dimensional, which are the best and largest existing brick - carving works in Guangdong.
 

Wood Carving Screens

Entering the front gate, the first thing that catches your eyes is the exquisite wood - carving screen. The screen is carved with various historical stories, mythological legends, and folk customs, such as "Golden Hall Martial Arts Competition", "Fishing, Woodcutting, Plowing and Reading", etc. The figures are vivid, and the craftsmanship is amazing.
 

Juxian Hall

Juxian Hall is the central building of Chen Clan Academy, where the clan members held gatherings and meetings. The hall is spacious and bright, with gorgeous decorations. The stone railings of the platform in front of the hall are exquisitely crafted, carved with various patterns of flowers, birds, and beasts, implying auspiciousness. The roof of the hall is decorated with large - scale wood carvings, such as "The Queen Mother's Birthday Celebration" and "The Alliance of Jian Shi", which are treasures of wood - carving art.
 

Iron - Casting Flower - Railings

The iron - casting flower - railings on the platform in front of the hall are also a major feature. These railings are exquisitely cast, with various patterns, which not only play a role in decoration but also reflect the unique artistic style of Lingnan.

How to plan a visit itinerary

Tour Route (30 minutes)

First entrance main hall (double-sided openwork wooden screen door, door gods, bronze door knockers, etc.) → Platform (stone railings, cast iron openwork balustrade) → Middle entrance Juxian Hall → Rear entrance central hall (Centennial Chen Clan Ancestral Hall photo exhibition) → Rear entrance east hall (Inheriting the past and opening up the future - restoration and technological protection of Chen Clan Ancestral Hall) → Middle entrance east hall (Lingnan folk arts and crafts).

One-hour route

First entrance main hall (double-sided openwork wooden screen door, door gods, bronze door knockers, etc.) → Platform (stone carved railings, fruit and vegetable balusters, cast iron openwork balustrade) → Middle entrance Juxian Hall → Rear entrance central hall (Centennial Chen Clan Ancestral Hall photo exhibition) → Rear entrance east hall (Inheriting the past and opening up the future - restoration and technological protection of Chen Clan Ancestral Hall) → Middle entrance east hall (Lingnan folk arts and crafts) → Middle and East Wings (Exhibition of fine Duan inkstones from the Guangdong Folk Arts Museum) → Front east wing (Exhibition of old Guangzhou furniture).

Route (over one hour)

 Front courtyard (flagpole, stone lions and base, etc.) → First main hall (double-sided openwork wooden screen door, door gods, bronze door knockers, etc.) → Platform (stone carved railings, fruit and vegetable tops on the balusters, cast iron openwork balustrade) → Middle hall (Juxian Hall) → Middle west hall (temporary exhibition) → Rear central hall (Centennial Chen Clan Ancestral Hall photo exhibition) → Rear east hall (Carrying on the past and ushering in the future - Restoration, protection and technological preservation of the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall) → Rear east study (special exhibition) → Rear east wing (special exhibition) → Middle east hall (Lingnan folk arts and crafts) → Middle and east wing (Exhibition of fine Duan inkstones from the Guangdong Folk Arts Museum)→ Front East Wing (Guangzhou Old Furniture Exhibition) → First Entry East Hall (Lingnan Traditional Architectural Decoration Art Exhibition) → First Entry West Hall Cultural and Creative World → Front West Wing: Watch the video introduction of Chen Clan Ancestral Hall → Rear Entry West Hall (Folk Craft Exhibition Hall).

How to Get to Temple of Chen Family

Public Transportation (Recommended)

• Subway: Take Metro Line 1 or Line 8 to Chen Clan Academy Station (Station Code: Chenjiaci). Exit from Exit D and walk for about 3 minutes to reach the main entrance. It’s the most convenient and time-saving way.
• Bus: Take bus routes 85, 104, 107, 125, 128, 193, 205, 207, 233, 250, 286, 527, or B3 to Chen Clan Academy Station (Bus Stop). Then walk 5 minutes eastward along Zhongshan 7th Road to the destination.
   

Self-Driving Note

• There is no on-site parking available at Chen Clan Academy, and parking spaces around are very limited. Self-driving is not recommended due to potential parking difficulties.