Chen Family Temple
» Guangzhou, Guang Dong

陈家祠,广东民间工艺博物馆

Guangdong Folk Art Museum,Chen Clan Ancestral Temple

No.34 Enlongji Road

Chen Family Temple, also known as Guangdong Folk Art Museum, stands in the west town of Guangzhou. It is just most recommendable buildup of folk art and tradition of the city. The Chen Family Temple has been named as one of the Eight Sightseeing Sites of Guangzhou in New century and the National Key Historic Site.

History

It was established as a collective effort by the Chen families from 72 counties all over Guangdong Province at the end of the 19th century during the reign of Emperor Guangxu of the Qing Dynasty. The temple was built to honor and worship their ancestors. It was also used to house Chen family members who came from all over the province to sit for the imperial examinations. That is why it is known as the Chen Family Academy. Designated as the Guangdong Folk Art Museum in 1959, Chen Family Temple is now the largest and best preserved and decorated ancient architecture existing in Guangdong Province.

What to visit

Architecture

Its grounds cover an area of 13,200 square meters and a main construction area of 6,400 square meters. It features classic excellences of typical Lingnan architecture, well-and-balanced layout, exquisite, and richly-decorated.

The temple 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 compound was constructed in the traditional Chinese symmetrical style and the main hall, the Juxian Hall is in the center of the temple. The majestic buildings, spacious and bright halls and the quiet courtyards are a fine example of the traditional architectural style of southern China.

Craftwork and decoration

Chen Family Temple is world renowned not only for its imposing architecture, but also for its exquisite craftwork and decoration. It is possible to see various superb carvings in the forms of wood, brick, pottery, stone, lime and things like that. The woodcarvings in particular are of great importance. A teak screen on a corridor carved on both sides on which the vivid images tell many historical folk stories.

When to visit

  • Opening Hours: 08:30a.m. - 17:20p.m.
  • Recommended Time for a Visit: 45 minutes

Getting there

Bus Route: 55,61,74,34

Attractions around » Guangzhou, Guang Dong

Natural Scene

Natural Scene

Historical Site

Historical Site

Cultural Site

Cultural Site

Historical Relic

Historical Relic

Museum

Museum

  Weather

  1. How are the four seasons like in Guangzhou and when is the best time to go?

  Transportation

  1. Noitce this when you take a taxi.

  Customs

  1. What about the interesting festivals there?

  Other Hints

  1. Here are some facts aboutCanton Fair.
  2. Warning about Canton Fair
  3. Dos and Don'ts to Stay Safe
  4. Can I see any English channel there?
  5. Beware of dangerous little girls
  6. Ignore some cheap deals
  7. Emergency numbers:

  • How are the four seasons like in Guangzhou and when is the best time to go?

    Guangzhou is located in China's subtropical area with an all-year pleasant climate. Guangzhou's spring is humid and rainy; summer is a little hot with occasional typhoons. Temperature in autumn is very moderate, cool and windy. The good weather of autumn often lasts to November and December; the period from October to December is the best travel time. Winter is a little chilly but short. Sweaters are sufficient.


  • Noitce this when you take a taxi.

    Business names and addresses are also in Chinese. Print them out and show them to the taxi drivers. Most drivers do not speak English; many not even Cantonese.


  • What about the interesting festivals there?

    Besides traditional Chinese festivals such as Spring Festival, New Year, International Labor Day and National Day, Guangzhou celebrates some local festivals, such as the Dong Zhi (Winter Solstice) Day, on the 21st, 22nd or 23rd of the twelfth Chinese lunar month, is the important festival that Guangzhou people pay much attention to. Cantonese people consider this day as a family reunion day.

    In addition to local festivals, as a big city, Guangzhou also hosts international conferences and activities, of which the Canton Fair is the most influential


  • Here are some facts about Canton Fair.

    The Chinese Export Commodities Fair or Canton Fair originated in the spring of 1957. It is held biannually every spring and autumn in Guangzhou. This fair is the largest comprehensive international trade fair in China with the longest history, highest level, largest scale and the most merchants. It is held in Pazhou Exhibition Hall, Xingang Dong Lu, Haizhu District and Liuhua Lu Exhibition Hall, No. 117, Liuhua Lu.


  • Warning about Canton Fair

    The last two weeks of April and October (April 15-30 and October 15-30) coincide with the annual Guangzhou International Trade Fairs. Hotel room rates are unreasonably hiked up anything from 200% to 400%, including hostels! If you're not travelling to see the Trade Fair, you might want to consider another period of time.


  • Dos and Don'ts to Stay Safe

    Firearms are banned in the country except for police and military use, but the streets can still be dangerous for the unwary. Due to the enormous number of people from other mainland provinces flocking to Guangzhou in the hope of finding jobs (often unsuccessfully), the area surrounding the main train station has gained a notorious reputation for being chaotic, unsafe and rampant with petty crimes. Pickpockets are especially active here. In recent years, armed (large blades, knives, and such) robberies in the open and abductions which result in first degree murders have been on the rise in the city. Just bear in mind, when people become desperate, they will do anything to get what they want. If you are getting robbed, do not expect the crowd to help. And if they are armed, do not fight back. The best defense, as always, is common sense:

    • Do not flash your valuables in public.
    • Do not wander around by yourself late at night and remain alert at all times.
    • Use only official taxis and get advice from the government-run tourist office.

    With its vast, ever-increasing population, there will always be people (mostly from out of town) who just seem to be hanging around. Those unaccustomed to this may feel intimidated, especially Westerners who get stared at a lot. However, please remember that rural Chinese are not used to seeing a "Gwai Lo" (a Westerner), so their stares are merely out of interest, and should not be taken as something rude or offensive. In this respect, it is important to be aware that three out of 10 people in Guangzhou are migrants from other provinces.

    Traffic accident rates in Guangzhou (or China for that matter) are significantly higher than those of other countries. Use extra caution when crossing streets; use pedestrian bridges and tunnels whenever possible. Like everywhere else in China, cars do not yield to pedestrians. Instead, drivers automatically expect pedestrians to yield to them. So in most cases, they don't stop until it's too late. Due to the high number of traffic accidents and crimes involving motorcycles, they will be totally banned in Guangzhou starting in 2007. Once the most important mode of transportation in China, bicycles will be also limited to certain roads within the city.


  • Can I see any English channel there?

    Guangzhou Television (GZTV) has an English channel, offering entertainment and cultural programs. There are two English channels from Hong Kong, 'Pearl' and 'ATV World', available in most hotels, offer a great selection of prime time shows from US and UK.


  • Beware of dangerous little girls

    Beware of little girls selling flowers along the embakment of the Pearl River especially at the entrance of the Pier where you join the Pearl River Cruise. They will cling onto your legs and won't let go until a ransom is paid.


  • Ignore some cheap deals

    never be taken in by cheap offer of coach transport, only buy tickets from the window counter. don't be misled by the pictures of coaches display. you may not get what you see and pay for.


  • Emergency numbers:

    • Police: 110
    • Fire: 119
    • Medical: 120
    • Traffic accident: 122

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Chen Family Temple features classic excellences of typical Lingnan architecture, well-and-balanced layout, exquisite, and richly-decorated. The temple is a compound complex consisting of nine halls, six courtyards and nineteen buildings connected by corridors, all separated by walls from the outside world.



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