The Pearl of Southern Architectural Art

Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, also known as 'Chen Clan Academy' and commonly referred to as Chen Clan Temple, is located on Zhongshan 7th Road in Guangzhou. The construction of the Chen Clan Academy began in the 14th year of the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty (1888) and was completed in the 19th year (1893). It is a 'joint-family ancestral hall' funded by the Chen clans from various parts of Guangdong Province, providing temporary accommodation for clan members who came to the provincial capital for imperial examinations, awaiting appointments, paying taxes, or dealing with lawsuits. Chen Clan Ancestral Hall is one of the largest existing traditional buildings in Guangfu area and is also the largest, best-preserved, and most exquisitely decorated ancestral hall-style building in China, acclaimed as 'The Pearl of Lingnan Architectural Art'. Covering an area of 15,000 square meters, with a construction area of 8,000 square meters, the architectural structure can be divided into three axes and three sections, comprising nine halls and six courtyards. The Chen Clan Ancestral Hall is a culmination of Lingnan architectural craftsmanship and decorations, with almost all halls, courtyards, corridors, rooms, doors, windows, railings, walls, roof ridges, and beams showcasing the superb skills of Lingnan architecture's 'three carvings, two moldings, one casting, and one painting', which include wood carving, brick carving, stone carving, pottery molding, plaster molding, metal casting, and painted murals.