China: Elaborately decorated pottery ridge at the Chen Family Temple (Chenjia Si), Guangzhou, Guangdong Province

Built in 1894 by the 72 Chen (usually romanised as Chan in Cantonese) clans, the Chen Family Temple (Chenjia Si), also known as the Chen Clan Academy (simplified Chinese: 陈家祠; traditional Chinese: 陳家祠; pinyin: Chén Jiā Cí) is an academic temple in Guangzhou (Canton). The academy was built for the clans juniors', a place to live and prepare for the imperial examinations during the Qing Dynasty.

A distinguished feature of the Chen Clan Academy are the 11 pottery ridges, which were installed on the nine great halls of the academy. Each ridge has a theme taken from a famous traditional drama.

Copyright:

CPA Media Co. Ltd.

Photographer:

David Henley

Credit:

Pictures From Asia