The complex is renowned for its intricate decorations, detailed carvings, and cultural significance. Since reopening, efforts to research and preserve the hall have continued, including lowering the front plaza to its historical level, restoring the stone lion bases at the main entrance, re-erecting flagpoles, and reconstructing ancestral hall components. In January of this year, the hall initiated its eighth maintenance project, covering an area of 1,285 square meters. The number of woodcarvings in Chen’s Academy is just magnificent and rich content can be found here. On the first door beam, wood carvings tell historical stories and folklore, such as ‘Wangmu's Birthday’, ‘Ancient Summit in Spring and Autumn’, and ‘The General’s Seal’. Among them, the most prominent one is the group of woodcarvings of Cao Cao offering feasts at Tongquetai Building in the ‘Romance of the Three Kingdoms’, in which Cao Cao’s generals are competing with their martial skills as Cao watches from the high place.

With the government's strong focus on cultural heritage conservation, the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall is not only a historical site but also a vibrant cultural venue reflecting the essence of Guangdong's traditional arts. The Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, also known as the Chen Clan Academy, is not just an important cultural landmark in Guangzhou, China, but it is also a symbol of intricate architecture and history. Located in the Liwan District of the city, this well-preserved site has attracted visitors from around the world, contributing significantly to the tourism history of Guangzhou. Both the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall and Shamian Island offer more than just visual delights. Visitors can immerse themselves in the local culture through various activities.

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.

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 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.

Also, feel free to leave your questions so that our professional guides reply as soon as possible. The capital was donated by Chen’s family living abroad and  72 counties in Guangdong. After raising the money, the construction started and then finished in 1894. In 1905, the imperial exam was canceled, and after this incident, the academy changed into a practical school for the Chen family. I had a quick look at the history of the chen clan ancestral hall guangzhou Clan Ancestral Hall of Guangzhou before we left India. It came highly recommended, but I was faintly disappointed to see that it was built as recently as 1895 CE, and that too by two Chinese-Americans who returned to Guangzhou.

The Chen Clan Ancestral Hall has 9 halls, which are interspaced by 6 courtyards, and flanked by 10 wing rooms and connected by verandas in the traditional Lingnan style. Sustainable tourism practices are also becoming prevalent, with efforts to preserve the authenticity of the site while accommodating the growing number of visitors. The emphasis on responsible travel is aimed at minimizing the impact on the heritage site and its environment. The 陈家祠, also known as the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall or 陈氏书院 (Chen Clan Academy), was constructed between 1890 and 1894 during the late Qing Dynasty under Emperor Guangxu’s reign.

This Blog is a privat project, which should help visitors to Guangzhou plan their trip, and include more than just the standard attractions on their visit. IDiscover is a non-profit founded with a mission to preserve the vibrancy and authenticity of Asia’s historic districts. When you walk with us you amplify the resident's voices in places where heritage is under threat. Chen Clan Temple is famous for its magnificent scale and precise arrangement. It is highly praised in the "Intemational Architectures Arts" in Germany and "Lingnan Historical Places" in Janpan.