Ancestral Temple of the Chen Family (Chen Clan Academy)

Ancestral Temple of the Chen Family is also called Chen Clan Academy or Chen's Lineage Hall which was a place in Guangzhou both for offering up sacrifices to ancestors and for study. Now it serves as Guangdong Folk Arts Museum to show the most characteristic Guangdong architecture. The Chen Clan Ancestral Temple in Liwan District, Guangzhou City, the Ancestors' Temple in Foshan City, the former Residence of Sun Yat-sen in Zhongshan City and the Opium War Memorial Hall in Dongguan City are regarded as the four major cultural tourist sites in Guangdong Province.

 
Chen Clan Academy, Guangzhou
Entrance of Chen Clan Academy
Ancestral temple of Chen family
Old Canton-Style Furnitures
In the late of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), a man named Chen got the third place in the highest imperial examination and had conferred upon him a distinguished office title which made the Family Chen well-known. Later someone suggested that all the Chen's families raise money to build a temple to sacrifice to the ancestors and encourage their offspring likewise to study hard. Therefore, the temple was finished in 1894 with the money donated by Chen's families in 72 counties of Guangdong Province as well as some overseas members of Family Chen.

The Ancestral Temple of the Chen Family is a compound complex consisting of nine halls, six courtyards and nineteen buildings connected by corridors, all separated by walls from the outside world. A pair of stone drums in front of the entrance door, measuring 2.55 meters (about 8.36 feet) in height and two colored drawing pictures of door-god of four meters (about 13 feet) height are said to be the best in Guangdong.

The Chen Clan Academy was constructed in the traditional Chinese symmetrical style and the main hall, the Juxian Hall is in the center of the temple. Juxian Hall was once a place for clansmen to assemble before the establishment of the temple and now it is used as an ancestral hall. In front of the hall is a stone gazebo surrounded by stone balustrades. In the hall there is an exquisitely carved folding screen which is an excellent example of woodcarving.
  
Cultural relics in exhibition
Wooden Carving of Lion
Exquisite woodencarvings
Ivory Carving of Ship
The most impressive attractions of the Ancestral Temple of the Chen Family are various superb carvings extolling nature. They are in the forms of wood, brick, pottery, stone, lime and things like that, of which wood carving especially fully demonstrates the great achievements of the art of carving in Guangdong Province. Stories of historical celebrities and scenes are also vividly represented in the temple.
 

How to get to Ancestral Temple of the Chen Family

1. Take Guangzhou Metro Line 1 to Chenjiaci Station. Leave from Exit C to Chenjiaci Square or Exit D to the main entrance of Ancestral Temple of the Chen Family.
2. Take Bus 17, 85, 88, 104, 105, 107, 109, 128, 193, 204, 205, 233, 250, 286, 413, Tourism Bus Line 1 or 2 and get off at Chenjiaci Station.
Guangzhou Bus / Metro Search
 
Entrance Fee CNY 10;
* Visitors can get free entry to the museum on Wednesday of the third week in each month except in June. On the second Saturday of June (National Cultural Heritage Day), visitors can enter the museum for free.
Opening Hours 08:30 -17:30 (ticketing ends at 17:00)
Recommended Time for a Visit 1h

Further Reading: 12 Best Places to Visit in Guangzhou
- Last updated on Apr. 15, 2021 -
Questions & Answers on Ancestral Temple of the Chen Family
Asked by mehdi gheisari from IRAN | Dec. 30, 2016 20:31Reply
I searched Guangzhou Subway Line 1 to Chenjiaci Station.
but there is not any station with this name
Answers (1)
Answered by Karen from ITALY | Jan. 03, 2017 02:04
21Reply


The station is also called Chen Clan Academy.
Asked by Tiwana Merritt from CHINA | Aug. 31, 2016 06:29Reply
Can you park a bus at the Guangzhou Chen Clan House?
Answers (1)
Answered by Ellen from RUSSIA | Aug. 31, 2016 21:33
01Reply


I'm afraid that you cannot park a bus inside the scenic area. It has its own park lot which is located at Zhongshan 7th Road. You can go and see. :)
Asked by Michelle from ITALY | Feb. 08, 2016 09:10Reply
Do you know if there is a car paking nearby Chen Clan Family, Guangzhou?
Answers (1)
Answered by Zina from DENMARK | Feb. 15, 2016 03:07
11Reply


Yes. The near one is located at No.18, Enlongli Zhongshan 7th Road, Liwan District.
Asked by Marilisa from ENGLAND | Nov. 14, 2015 00:07Reply
Bus from Baiyun Airport to Ancestral Temple of the Chen Family
Hi, which bus can I take from Baiyun Airport to reach this temple,please? Regards,
Marilisa
Answers (2)
Answered by Bruce from AUSTRALIA | Nov. 14, 2015 02:34
10Reply


Hi there, there is no direct bus available. You are recommended to travel by metro, which is more convenient and saves you time. From airport, you can take subway line 3 to West Tiyu Road, then change to subway line 1 to the temple directly. Duration is about 60 minutes. Have fun~
Answered by Marilisa from ENGLAND | Nov. 14, 2015 03:38
00Reply


Thank you so much! :)
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