Chen Clan Ancestral Hall
Liwan, Guangzhou
The finest example of Lingnan architecture in existence - a shrine wrapped in ten thousand carvings.
The Chen Clan Ancestral Hall is an academy disguised as a family shrine, and its walls carry some of the most intricate wood, stone, and ceramic carvings in China. Every ridge line is a parade of opera scenes and auspicious beasts.
The building now houses the Guangdong Folk Art Museum. Give it two hours and a camera with a zoom.
Best for: Guangzhou's architectural masterpiece, wrapped in folk art.
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