Chen Clan Ancestral Hall (Chen Clan Academy)
A joint-clan ancestral hall and academy built 1888–1894 with funds pooled by Chen family clans from 72 counties of Guangdong, it is the largest and most lavishly decorated surviving ancestral-hall building in Lingnan: wood, brick and stone carving (the "three carvings"), ceramic and lime sculpture (the "two sculptures"), plus bronze and iron casting and colored painting, together known as the "…
Visitor info
- Opening hours
- 09:00-17:30
- Ticket
- CNY 10
Price is indicative — final quote on inquiry.
A joint-clan ancestral hall and academy built from 1888 to 1894 with funds pooled by Chen family clans from 72 counties of Guangdong, it is the largest and most lavishly decorated surviving ancestral-hall building in Lingnan: wood carving, brick carving and stone carving (the "three carvings"), ceramic sculpture and lime sculpture (the "two sculptures"), plus bronze and iron casting and colored painting, are together known as the "seven wonders"; eleven Shiwan ceramic ridge decorations run along the roof ridges in unbroken figure-and-story scenes, earning it the title "Pearl of Lingnan Architectural Art", and Guo Moruo inscribed the verse "Man's craft can rival nature's, and nature's cannot rival man's". Now the Guangdong Folk Art Museum, the hall displays craft treasures such as Guangzhou embroidery and ivory carving; admission CNY 10 with direct metro access — a first classroom for understanding Lingnan craft aesthetics.
Getting there: Metro Line 1/8, Chen Clan Academy Station
Photos
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