Travel in China
The grandest of Guangdong's clan academies - every ridge, beam and brick a gallery of Lingnan craft.
The Chen Clan Ancestral Hall (Chen Jia Ci) was built between 1888 and 1894 by the Chen lineage of Guangdong province as a combined ancestral temple and academy for clan members preparing for imperial examinations in Guangzhou. It is the largest and best-preserved clan academy in Guangdong.
The complex's artistic significance lies in its decoration: every surface is covered with Lingnan-school craftsmanship. The roof ridges carry lime-plaster figurines from Cantonese opera, the walls have brick carvings of birds and flowers, the beams have wood carvings of historical scenes, and the screens have iron and stone sculptures. The overall effect is overwhelming - a total work of art.
Today the building houses the Guangdong Folk Art Museum, with exhibitions of Cantonese embroidery, porcelain, lacquerware and ivory carving. The central courtyard's stone paving and the colonnade of carved wooden doors are among the most photographed architectural details in Guangzhou.
Highlights
The Roof Ridge Figurines
Lime-plaster sculptures from Cantonese opera crowning every roof ridge.
The Brick Carvings
Intricate reliefs of birds, flowers and historical scenes on the walls.
The Wood Carvings
Beams, doors and screens carved with extraordinary detail.
The Central Courtyard
Stone paving and colonnades - the architectural heart of the complex.
The Guangdong Folk Art Museum
Exhibitions of Cantonese embroidery, porcelain and ivory carving.
The Iron and Stone Sculptures
Decorative panels in the screens and window frames.
Photo Gallery
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