The Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, renowned as the “Pearl of Lingnan Architectural Art,” stands as the largest, best-preserved, and most exquisitely decorated ancestral temple-style building in China. This magnificent complex masterfully integrates the full spectrum of Lingnan decorative arts, including wood, brick, and stone carvings, pottery and lime sculptures, iron castings, and colorful paintings. Now housing the Guangdong Folk Art Museum and ranked among the Top 8 Sights of Guangzhou, it is an essential destination for any visitor.
Chen Clan Ancestral Hall Facts
- Name: Chen Clan Ancestral Hall (陈家祠, Chén Jiā Cí)
- Also Known As: Chen Clan Academy or Chen’s Lineage Hall
- Type: Historical Sites, Architectural Buildings, Museum, Cultural Relics, Qing Dynasty
- Address: No. 34, Enlongli, Zhongshan 7th Road, Liwan District, Guangzhou
- Area: 15,000 square meters
- Recommended Visiting Hours: 1-2 hours
- Opening Hours: 09:00 – 17:30
- Tickets: CNY 10. Trip.com discount
Chen Clan Ancestral Hall History
The Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, initially conceived in 1888 during the Qing Dynasty and completed in 1894, was established as a collective ancestral temple through contributions from Chen clans across 72 counties in Guangdong Province. Its primary purpose was to provide temporary accommodation for Chen scholars traveling to the provincial capital for imperial examinations, official appointments, tax payments, and legal matters.
During the mid-Qianlong period, the Qing government began suppressing such collective temples, accusing them of manipulating lawsuits and organizing resistance against officials. In response, many communal temples, including the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, strategically renamed themselves “academies” or “study halls,” with the complex officially becoming known as “Chen Clan Academy.”
Following the abolition of the imperial examination system in 1905, the academy transformed into an industrial school for the Chen clan. In 1959, it found its permanent cultural vocation as the Guangdong Folk Art Museum. The site’s significance was nationally recognized in 1988 when it was designated a National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit, solidifying its status as a premier cultural destination in Lingnan.
Chen Clan Ancestral Hall Structure & Layout
The Chen Clan Ancestral Hall exemplifies traditional Chinese architectural principles through its sophisticated layout and exquisite craftsmanship. Occupying 13,200 square meters, the complex is a symmetrical arrangement of 19 structures—which include nine halls and six courtyards—all interconnected by covered corridors. This hierarchical layout, where buildings become progressively elevated toward the rear, symbolically reflects the aspiration for advancement in scholarly and official pursuits.
The architectural composition centers on three main buildings along the primary north-south axis:
- Main Entrance: Adorned with a “Chen Clan Academy” tablet and flanked by imposing stone drums traditionally reserved for dignitaries;
- The Central Assembly Hall (聚贤堂): Served as the primary space for clan gatherings and ceremonies;
- The Rear Hall: Dedicated to the veneration of ancestors, housing the clan’s memorial tablets.
The courtyards between these structures provide transitional spaces while maintaining visual connectivity throughout the complex.
Chen Shrine Architectural Features
The Chen Clan Ancestral Hall is celebrated as an unparalleled repository of Lingnan decorative arts, distinguished by its “Seven Marvels of Craftsmanship” – wood carving, stone carving, brick carving, pottery sculpture, lime sculpture, copper-iron casting, and color painting. This unique combination of techniques represents the highest achievement of Cantonese architectural ornamentation.
Brick Carvings
The eastern and western walls feature monumental brick carvings, including The Gathering of Heroes at Liangshan and Liu Qing Taming the Fiery Steed, with individual panels measuring up to 4 meters. These works demonstrate exceptional precision in their detailed portrayal of human expressions and narrative scenes.
Pottery Ridge Ornaments
Primarily employed for roof decoration, the complex is crowned by eleven glazed ceramic ridges with a combined length of 165 meters, depicting an array of mythological scenes and auspicious motifs. The most magnificent of these is on the Assembly Hall (聚贤堂), a single ridge measuring 27 meters long and 2.9 meters high. This masterwork alone features 224 individual figures, including characters from legends such as the Eight Immortals and Li Jing, making it the largest and most elaborate ridge crest in the entire ancestral hall.
Wood Carvings
As a fundamental element of the decorative scheme, wood carvings adorn nearly all interior architectural components, including beams, brackets, and corbels. The most celebrated examples are the twelve double-sided openwork screens in the central hall. Carved with scenes from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, these masterpieces depict nearly 200 distinct figures. Characterized by their dynamic compositions, refined craftsmanship, and fluid lines, these screens exemplify the extraordinary skill of the artisans.
The Colorful Stucco Relief
This distinctive outdoor decorative art, unique to Lingnan architecture, is characterized by its use of lime-based stucco. Adorning roof ridge bases, gables, gatehouses, and courtyard corridors, the stucco reliefs in the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall span a total length of 1,800 meters. They are celebrated for their dramatic, expressive forms and a vibrant color palette that prominently features bold reds and greens. The themes are richly diverse, encompassing flowers, birds, mythological figures, and picturesque landscapes, all serving as quintessential representations of the Lingnan cultural style.
The Guangdong Folk Art Museum
Beyond its architectural splendor, the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall also serves as the home of the Guangdong Folk Art Museum. The museum safeguards a permanent collection of over 10,000 artifacts, systematically organized into categories such as ceramics, textiles, and carvings. It presents these through both long-term displays of traditional crafts and a rotating program of special exhibitions, offering a dynamic and comprehensive insight into the region’s artistic heritage.
How to Get to Ancestral Temple of the Chen Family
By Metro
- Take Metro Line 1 to Chenjiaci Station (Chen Clan Academy). Leave from Exit D to the main entrance of Chen Clan Ancestral Hall.
- Take Metro Line 8 to Chenjiaci Station (Chen Clan Academy). Leave from Exit E to the main entrance of Chen Clan Ancestral Hall.
By Bus
Take Bus 17, 85, 88, 104, 107, 128, 193, 204, 233, 250, 413, Guang286, Tourism Bus Line 1 or 2 and get off at Chenjiaci Station.
Chen Clan Ancestral Hall Tickets & Opening Hours
Book Your Ticket Now| Entrance Fee | CNY 10 for adults; CNY 5 for seniors aged 60-64; CNY 5 for Children aged 6-18; Free for children under 6 years old or under 1.3 meters in height, and seniors aged 65 or above. |
| Opening Hours | 09:00 – 17:30 (close on Tuesday) |
Nearby Attractions
Extend your exploration of Guangzhou by visiting these remarkable sites, all conveniently accessible from the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall.
- Shamian Island: Located just 2.4 km away, this tranquil island in the Pearl River preserves a unique historical landscape of European-style architecture, a legacy of its time as a foreign concession in the 19th and 20th centuries.
- Canton Tower: Situated approximately 11 km from the hall, this iconic structure, once the tallest in China, offers unparalleled panoramic views of the modern city from its observation decks.
- Guangzhou Chimelong Tourist Resort: Located about 20 kilometers from the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, this comprehensive entertainment complex features a world-class safari park, amusement park, circus, and water park, offering a full day of activities for all ages.