In 1888, Chen Lanbin, the first proctor of Chinese students studying abroad and the first China's envoy in US, and other 47 famous Chen clans called on building Chen Clan Ancestral Hall in Guangzhou. Anyone who has the surname of Chen will be allowed to lay the ancestral tablets in the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall once you have paid for it. The ancestral hall was designed for the accommodation of their juniors in Guangzhou for preparing the Chinese imperial examinations.Browse 110+ chen clan ancestral hall stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. The Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, inscribed with the words "Chen Clan Academy" on its plaque, was a shared clan temple built with donations from Chen clan members in 72 counties in Guangdong Province during the Qing Dynasty. With a history of 131 years, it originally served as a place for members of the Chen family to stay while preparing for imperial examinations, waiting for official appointments, paying taxes, or engaging in legal matters.
Ancestral Temple of the Chen Family is also called Chen Clan Academy or Chen's Lineage Hall which was a place in Guangzhou both for offering up sacrifices to ancestors and for study. Now it serves as Guangdong Folk Arts Museum to show the most characteristic Guangdong architecture. The museum is open from 8.30am until 5.30pm every day, and an average visit takes 2-3 hours. Best times to visit are off-peak, so not during Chinese public holidays. Why not choose us - China Discovery - a local based China travel agency? We have private tour packages covering sightseeing, dining, accommodation and so on.
When the imperial examinations were eventually abolished in 1905, the building was turned into a practical school for Chen clan students. The most unforgettable thing in chen clan ancestral hall guangzhou Clan Ancestral is the colorful roof. It is the Stucco relief that widely used in architectural decoration of PRD(Pearl River Delta).
The museum showcases scores of different types of valuable artifacts and handicrafts, such as pottery, embroidery and sculptures, which reflect Lingnan's folk customs. The Head-entrance is 27.56 metres (90.4 ft) wide and 14.91 metres (48.9 ft) deep with 17 columns, all decorated with flowers and figures.[2][4] On the top of the gate of the Head-entrance hangs a tablet with words 陳氏書院, meaning "Chen Clan Academy". On the sides of the gate sit stone mats and a pair of 2.25-meter-high (7.4 ft) stone drums.[2] River gods are painted in color on the gate.
Constructed during the late Qing Dynasty between 1890 and 1894, this architectural gem was initially built for ancestor worship and as an academy for the prominent Chen family. Today, it stands as a testament to the region’s rich cultural and historical heritage, showcasing exquisite examples of Lingnan architecture, including intricate wood and stone carvings, pottery sculptures, and vibrant ceramic figurines. Visitors can explore its vast complex, which houses the Guangdong Folk Art Museum, offering an immersive experience into traditional Cantonese art and craftsmanship.
