Ancestral Temple of the Chen Family

This paragon of late-Qing architecture comprises a superb collection of buildings adorned with traditional woodcarvings, intricate stonemasonry and pottery.

Discover one of Guangdong Province’s most important architectural treasures at the Ancestral Temple of the Chen Family. Established in 1888, the temple complex was founded as a place of worship and education for the Chen clan during the late Qing Dynasty. Today, it houses the Guangdong Museum of Folk Arts and Crafts within its ornate halls. Wander through the complex’s 19 buildings to see the rich decorations and artworks throughout.

The complex is laid out in the traditional style of a Chinese academy. It covers 161,500 square feet (15,000 square meters) and features nine main halls and six courtyards. Walk through the grand main entrance and admire its immense columns covered in carved flowers and paintings of river gods. Look up to see a pair of enormous stone drums and beams decorated with birds, bats and lions.

Check out the Gathering Hall, which features some of the complex’s distinctive stonemasonry. A stone gazebo fronts exquisitely carved stone columns. In the Back Hall, you’ll see the memorial tablets of the Chen ancestors and beautiful woodcarvings. The complex buildings are connected via a series of corridors, known as Qingyun alleys. Admire the displays of precious objects that demonstrate the Guangdong Province’s distinctive carving arts.

Each hall, corridor and courtyard is richly ornamented with woodcarvings, stonemasonry, pottery, tiles, plaster and ironwork. Some carvings depict historical stories or traditional scenes. You’ll also see flowers, birds and Cantonese fruits within the intricate carvings. Look up to the ridges of the buildings’ rooftops to see magnificent ceramic work. The crest of the Gathering Hall has a total of 224 figures in its delicately crafted pottery. At the tip of each crest, spot the ceramic flying cods, which are half-dragon creatures.

Ancestral Temple of the Chen Familycan be reached via the city’s subway and bus network. There is a fee to enter the temple complex and museum. The admission fee is reduced during some seasonal holidays, such as the Spring Festival Holiday in February.