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 is the colorful roof. It is the Stucco relief that widely used in architectural decoration of PRD(Pearl River Delta).
The two giant stone drums at the entrance were set up by Chen Botao to flaunt the third place he got in the imperial examinations. The place wasn’t overly busy the day I visited, although I was there on a Wednesday afternoon. If you have some time to kill while in Guangzhou, I would definitely recommend a visit to the chen clan ancestral hall Clan Academy for some culture and history. Perhaps one of the most well-known tourist places in Guangzhou, I had passed by the Chen Clan Academy a number of times before finally deciding to pay the 10RMB entrance fee to visit this place. On Wednesday of the third week of each month, you can get free entry to the temple; however, there is one exception, which is in June. In this month, you can enter the museum freely on the second Saturday since it’s National Cultural Heritage Day.
Still retaining its original structure as well as its stature as a cultural icon, this is a captivating complex referred to as the Pearl of Lignan Architecture providing much visual pleasure and a treat for lovers of different architecture. Surname Chen belonged to many Chinese people in Guangdong Province in the late 19th century who wished to put up an ancestral hall in Guangzhou. Contributions were called for from the Chen Clan members who would get an ancestral tablet in the hall.
It stands as a testament to the importance of cultural preservation and education in Chinese society, offering visitors a glimpse into the rich history and traditions of the region. The academy’s cultural and historical significance has earned it a place on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, ensuring its legacy for future generations to appreciate and learn from. 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 clan ancestral hall tickets family who came to Guangdong to prepare for imperial examinations in Guangzhou.
