During the late Qing Dynasty era, a man called Chen took part in the highest imperial examination, achieved third place, and presented with a distinguished office title. The entrance is past these grand doors with their painted dwarpalas (heng ha er jiang in Mandarin). I suppose that by the late 19th century CE every one wanted their doors to be guarded by such guardians. Space must have been too precious to install the statues that earlier would guard temple doors. I was so engrossed in looking at the arms and armour carried by the dwarpala that I nearly missed the lion-head knockers on the doors. The Chen Clan Ancestral Hall Gardens are in front of the Chen Clan Academy and function as a prelude to what will happen once you get inside the enclosure.
Moreover, the tip of the ridge crests are flying cods, which were believed to be a half-dragon half-fish creature. These flying cod figures have tentacles reaching out from the roof to the sky, which make the profile of the building more elegant. The Chen Clan Ancestral Hall is notable for the rich decoration which exist inside, outside the halls and in almost every beams, ridges, walls and columns. Visit Five Rams StatuePerched atop Yuexiu Hill, the iconic Five Rams Statue stands as a symbol of Guangzhou’s rich history. Carved from over 130 pieces of granite, this monumental sculpture depicts the legendary creatures that transformed the city from a barren land to a thriving metropolis. According to ancient lore, five immortal beings rode these rams, bearing gifts of rice cultivation to the grateful people.
The Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, also known as the Chen Clan Academy, serves as a beacon of traditional Chinese architecture, art, and history. Opened in 1894, this exquisite complex was designed not only as a residence for members of the Chen family preparing for imperial examinations but also as a vibrant center for cultural and academic exchange. Today, it houses the Guangdong Folk Art Museum, showcasing intricate artworks such as wood carvings, stone carvings, and pottery that encapsulate the essence of Lingnan culture. The Chen Clan Ancestral Hall or Chen Clan Academy is an academic temple in Guangzhou, which is praised as the Pearl of Lingnan architectural art. The temple also functions as a museum under the auspices of Guangdong Folk Arts Museum, exhibiting a variety of folk arts and crafts.
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.
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.