The Chen Clan Ancestral Hall
The Chen Clan Ancestral Hall (also known as the Chen Clan Academy) was founded in 14th year of the Guangxu reign (1888) and completed in the 19th year (1893). The funds came from the various clans in Guangdong all with the Chen surname. It served as short-term accommodation space when members of the Chen clans came to Guangzhou to sit provincial imperial exams, to await postings to other regions, to pay tax or to conduct law suits and other business.
Well-preserved and magnificently decorated, the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall is the largest Lingnan architecture still extant in Guangdong. It covers a total area of 15,000 square meters, with a construction area of 6,400 square meters. Its nineteen individual units are connected by long corridors, with halls, rooms, pavilions and courtyards neatly arranged to provide comfortable living space
Praised as “the Pearl of Lingnan Architectural Art”, the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall is a splendid example of decorative schemes on buildings. A great variety of materials and techniques such as wood carving, brick carving, stone carving, stucco relief, pottery figures, iron and copper ornamentation, surface painting and mural are deployed to create the most sumptuous decorative effects. The lively modelling and colourful decoration, produced by superb craftsmanship, prompted Mr Guo Moruo to write the following poem in praise of the building: Nature’s engineering can be replaced by human creation, yet human creation cannot be surpassed by natural force. The human world created in a way like this, a visit to this place is better than ten years learning from books.
Chen Clan Ancestral Hall is a tourist spot in Lingnan with strong cultural and artistic features. In 1988 we were declared an Important Heritage Site under State Protection by the State Department. In 2002 and again in 2011 we were one of the Top Eight Sights of Guangzhou. In 2006 we were named the “Cultural Representative of Guangzhou City”. In 2008 the National Tourism Bureau awarded us the title of AAAA Grade Scenic Spot
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China 2017