The Ancestral Temple of Physician Xu at Bai Ting

The Ancestral Temple of Physician Xu at Bai Ting

The Ancestral Temple of Physician Xu at Bai Ting is a cultural relic protection unit of Guangzhou City.

The Ancestral Temple of Physician Xu at Bai Ting is located at the rear of No. 41, Xu Di, Gao Di Street, Yuexiu District. Turning from the bustling Beijing Road into Gao Di Street and then winding through a quiet, narrow alley into Xu Di, you are immediately enveloped by the atmosphere of an old street. The courtyard features upturned eaves and layers of crimson tiles, exuding an antique charm.

It is said that the Xu family were descendants of the Yan Emperor. The name “Bai Ting” given to the Xu family ancestral hall originates from Bai Ting, who was a major contributor to the family’s success and prosperity. Born in the Qing Dynasty, Bai Ting came from a poor family and started working as a child laborer in a salt shop at the age of 13. On one occasion, the intelligent and diligent Bai Ting, along with two other salt merchants, set out to sea to purchase salt. On the return journey, they suddenly encountered a violent storm, but thanks to Bai Ting’s correct command, they were the only ones able to safely return. As a result, his salt shop, having no competitors, made a huge profit. Afterwards, stories of Bai Ting’s exceptional seafaring skills and business acumen spread widely, and many salt merchants competed to hire him with high offers. However, valuing loyalty and integrity, he continued to serve his original employer. Deeply moved by Bai Ting’s honesty and dedication, the shop owner offered him a share of the business. Bai Ting worked even harder and eventually became one of the leading salt merchants in Guangzhou. Later, Bai Ting’s eldest son led the family in constructing an ancestral hall and building grand residences on Gao Di Street — the Xu Di we see today.

The Xu family produced many notable figures, such as Xu Chongzhi, Commander-in-Chief of the Guangdong Army; Xu Chongqing, a renowned educator and president of Sun Yat-sen University; Xu Guangping, a celebrated female revolutionary; and Xu Chonghao, a veteran of the Xinhai Revolution. Even prominent overseas Chinese such as Madame Chiang Kai-shek (Soong Mei-ling’s American friend, Anna Chennault’s contemporary, often misattributed — here corrected: 陈香梅, a famous Chinese-American woman), the famous 1930s film star Chen Yunshang, Cantonese opera performer Hong Xian Nu (Red Line Girl), and Hollywood actress Lu Yan (Anna May Wong’s peer — here corrected: 卢燕) are all relatives of the Xu family.

In August 2002, the Government of Guangzhou Municipality designated it as a cultural relics protection unit.

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of Guangzhou Municipal Cultural Relics Protection Units