China: Ah Q (left) and friend, from 'The True Story of Ah Q', a novel by Lu Xun, Chen Family Temple (Chenjia Si), Guangzhou, Guangdong Province

Lu Xun (or Lu Hsun), was the pen name of Zhou Shuren (Chou Shu-jen), September 25, 1881 – October 19, 1936. One of the major Chinese writers of the 20th century. Considered by many to be the founder of modern Chinese literature, he wrote in baihua (the vernacular) as well as classical Chinese. Lu Xun was a short story writer, editor, translator, critic, essayist and poet. In the 1930s he became the titular head of the Chinese League of the Left-Wing Writers in Shanghai.

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.

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CPA Media Co. Ltd.

Photographer:

David Henley

Credit:

Pictures From Asia