Chen Clan Ancestral Hall

Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, well‑known as Chen Clan Academy, is one of the most famous historical landmarks in Guangzhou, located on Zhongshan 7th Road, Liwan District.
The construction project started in 1888 and finished in 1894 during the reign of Emperor Guangxu of the Qing Dynasty. People of the Chen clan from 72 counties in Guangdong raised money to build it. It was originally used as an ancestral shrine for ancestor‑worship. Meanwhile, it acted as a temporary hostel and study academy for Chen youngsters who came to Guangzhou to take ancient imperial civil‑service exams.
The whole site covers about 15,000 square‑meters. Following a traditional central‑axis layout, it includes 19 buildings, nine halls and six courtyards connected by long corridors. Its biggest highlight is six splendid Lingnan decorative arts: wood carving, brick carving, stone carving, pottery sculpture, grey‑clay sculpture and iron casting. Vivid patterns of dragons, flowers, ancient opera stories are carved on roofs, doors, pillars and walls, fully showing the outstanding skills of Cantonese old‑time craftsmen.
Since 1959, the place has become the Guangdong Folk Art Museum, exhibiting local handicrafts. Listed as a key national cultural‑relic protection unit in 1988, Chen Clan Ancestral Hall wins the title “the Pearl of Lingnan Architectural Art”. It draws millions of visitors every year to explore Lingnan history and traditional Chinese folk art.