Chen Clan Ancestral Temple in Chao’an

Chen Clan Ancestral Temple in Chao’an

The Chen Clan Ancestral Temple in Chao’an is a cultural heritage site protected by Chao’an District.

Chen Clan Ancestral Temple in Chao’an is located in Xiangxia Administrative Village, Guantang Town, Chao’an County. It was originally built during the Yuanyou era of the Song Dynasty by Chen Tan, the magistrate of Haiyang County under Chaozhou Prefecture. The temple underwent two reconstructions: one in the 20th year of the Chenghua reign (1484) during the Ming Dynasty and another in the 15th year of the Qianlong reign (1750) during the Qing Dynasty.

The temple faces east and is situated to the west, with a total width of 22 meters and an overall depth of 41 meters. It features a three-courtyard structure that rises progressively in height, with the middle courtyard being 0.83 meters higher than the front one, and the rear courtyard 0.93 meters higher than the middle, giving the structure a majestic appearance. The roof framework adopts a Dougong (bracket set) and beam-lifting construction style. Although it has undergone multiple renovations over the dynasties, the rear courtyard still retains architectural features from earlier periods, such as thick mushroom-shaped columns and undecorated Dougong brackets. The temple’s name plaque is inscribed with “Chen Clan Ancestral Temple,” while the back bears the words “Spring of Clear Springs.” It also includes an inscription reading “Reconstructed in the ninth month of the Gengwu year of the Qianlong reign by descendants including Yiyong.” In front of the temple, there is a stone couplet on the gate that reads “Branching from Fujian’s maritime prefecture, passing down old virtues; Settling by Qiuxi Stream, forging new paths.” The signature reads “Jiongan Jushi” (Jiongan was the pseudonym of Huang Jin, Minister of Rites in Nanjing during the Chongzhen era of the Ming Dynasty). About 100 meters south of the temple stands a memorial archway on the clan path, featuring two pillars and one gate, exuding a simple and ancient charm. The front of the archway’s plaque is inscribed with “Descendants of the Song Dynasty’s Qi State Duke,” while the back reads “Loyal and Obedient Noble House,” with the signature “Reconstructed in the spring of the Jiachen year (1484) during the Chenghua reign of the Great Ming by descendants including Lun.”

In 1987, the Chao’an Municipal People’s Government designated it as a cultural heritage protection unit.