Agnes @ Chen Clan Ancestral Hall in Guangzhou

This is a site that far exceeded my expectations. Before, when I looked at other travel guides, I thought this was just an ordinary attraction, probably with a few ancestral halls to see and then the visit would be over. I never expected to spend a whole two hours there. As soon as I got off the bus, I saw a huge archway at the entrance of the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall. As I approached, I was immediately shocked by the many distinctive and detailed carvings on the building. I've seen a lot of Huizhou-style architecture or the carved beams and painted rafters in the imperial capital, which are either stone-colored, splendid with gold and jade, or made of mahogany. But I've never seen such rich and detailed, colorful Lingnan-style architecture like that of the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall. It's just a pity that it was an overcast day when I went; if there had been blue skies and white clouds, the photos would have been much more beautiful. In addition to the rich stories and character images on the roof ridges, the windows inside the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall are also a major feature. They are particularly striking and beautiful under natural light, so much so that I couldn't help but want to capture them in my memory. Overall, this is a memorable and impressive attraction with strong local characteristics, and I even think it's more worth visiting than the Great Buddha Temple and the Sacred Heart Cathedral.