The Chen Baiwan Family Architectural Complex

The Chen Baiwan Family Architectural Complex

The Chen Baiwan Family Architectural Complex is a cultural heritage site protected at the provincial level in Guangdong Province.

The Chen Baiwan Family Architectural Complex (including the Chen Baiwan Residence, the Pengjun Chen Ancestral Hall, and the Luofeng Chen Ancestral Hall) is located in Xuri Village, Longhua Town, Boluo County.

This is a typical ancient village with a Ming–Qing Lingnan architectural style that boasts over 300 years of history. The entire ancient village spans an area of more than 100,000 square meters and contains over 600 ancient houses, all arranged in a block-like pattern. The best-preserved structures are the former residence of Chen Baiwan and four family ancestral halls.

Chen Baiwan was the wealthiest man in the village during ancient times. Originally named Chen Ruilong, he was born in the fourth year of the Yongzheng reign during the Qing Dynasty and was a merchant. He ran businesses dealing in “grain, oil, sugar, daily necessities, and construction materials.” His success in commerce made him widely known and earned him the nickname “Chen Baiwan” (literally “Chen the Millionaire”). As he was the most outstanding member of the Chen clan, the ancient village was named after him.

The Chen Baiwan Residence was built in the 11th year of the Qianlong reign during the Qing Dynasty (1746), facing south and covering a total width of 46 meters and depth of 32 meters, with a floor area of over 1,472 square meters. It features a flush-gable roof, a dragon boat ridge, and yin-yang tiles. The lower part of the walls is constructed with granite, while the upper part consists of plain blue bricks. The front gate is a recessed entrance; upon entering, you reach the lower hall, which has a screen door in the center and side rooms on both sides. The central courtyard is paved entirely with granite slabs. The middle hall on the second level has side chambers. The upper hall on the third level houses an ancestral shrine and side chambers. Local custom dictates that when a boy is born in the village, a lantern is hung in the upper hall as a symbol of adding to the family lineage.

The entire architectural complex is rigorously laid out, grand in scale, and well-preserved. The plaster reliefs and murals on the walls are exquisitely crafted, and there is a spacious open courtyard in front of the residence. It provides valuable physical material for studying the local Qing Dynasty architecture and folk customs.

The ancient residential architectural complex exhibits distinct traditional Lingnan architectural characteristics from the Ming and Qing periods. It embodies elements of Hakka walled-house culture as well as unique styles of overseas Chinese architecture. The layout reflects profound feng shui concepts. The ancient buildings are constructed with “bluestone half-walls and blue brick up to the roof,” and the village lanes are paved with bluestone. The Chen Baiwan Residence in the village is grand in scale and retains the traditional Ming–Qing Lingnan architectural style. Its founder, Chen Ruilong, was known for his hard work, business acumen both domestically and abroad, integrity, competitive spirit, diligence, thrift, and philanthropy, eventually becoming the wealthiest man in the Lingnan region and epitomizing overseas Chinese business culture. The ancient village is surrounded by lush orchards, small bridges over flowing streams, and scattered rice fields and vegetable plots, presenting a picturesque pastoral scene full of rural charm. Being in this ancient village makes visitors linger and become deeply immersed in its atmosphere.

Weiyuan: The Chen Baiwan Residence. Built in 1753 (during the Qianlong reign), spanning over 7,000 square meters with a rectangular layout, it is the most magnificent building in the ancient village.

Pingbo Chen Ancestral Hall: The exact time of its initial construction is unknown. Chen Pingbo was Chen Baiwan’s great paternal uncle. The ancestral hall features distinctive cultural elements, including buildings, a stage, ancient trees, and clear water.

Lianjun Chen Ancestral Hall: The exact time of its initial construction is unknown. Chen Lianjun was Chen Baiwan’s father.

Pengjun Chen Ancestral Hall: Built in the 28th year of the Qianlong reign, it is a provincial-level cultural heritage site. Chen Pengjun was Chen Baiwan’s paternal uncle. This uniquely designed ancestral hall with red stone pillars and red stone walls could only be built by notable figures at the time, as Chen Pengjun’s son held an official position in the imperial court. The red ancestral hall symbolizes status, rank, and prestige.

Luofeng Chen Ancestral Hall: Constructed in the 6th year of the Xianfeng reign (1856), it is a provincial-level cultural heritage site. Chen Luofeng was Chen Baiwan’s son. This is the most ornate ancestral hall. According to expert assessments, its colored paintings, wood carvings, stone carvings, and plaster reliefs represent the highest craftsmanship standards of the time.

In 2010, it was announced by the People's Government of Guangdong Province as part of the Sixth Batch of Provincial Cultural Heritage Sites in Guangdong.

Xuri Village: Xuri Village in Longhua Town, Boluo County, Huizhou City, is located to the north of Longhua Town, approximately 1 kilometer from Longhua Market Town. It covers an area of 365 mu, comprises seven villager groups including Weiyuan and Dongyuan, currently has 400 households, a resident population of about 1,830 people, and administers an area of about 4.5 square kilometers. The entire village belongs to one clan and shares the same surname, Chen. Its main economic activity is agriculture. Since the Chen ancestors were Hakka people who migrated south, the ancient village developed distinct characteristics of a traditional Hakka clan settlement.

Xuri Village has over 600 existing ancient residential buildings, all of which are brick-and-tile structures from the Ming and Qing periods... More detailed information on Xuri Village++

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of Guangdong Provincial Cultural Heritage Sites