Liwan Museum

Liwan Museum

Liwan Museum is a national AAA-level tourist attraction and a patriotic education base.

Established in December 1996, Liwan Museum is the first district-level museum in Guangdong Province dedicated to collecting, exhibiting, and researching the history, culture, and folklore of Liwan. The museum is housed in the former residence of Mr. Chen Lianzhong, a comprador of the British-owned HSBC during the early Republican era.

The site features both Western-style villas and traditional Chinese gardens. The Chen Lianzhong Mansion, with a garden area of over one thousand square meters, boasts Roman and Greek-style columns and arches, as well as a renowned "Lingnan Stone Mountain Masterpiece" known as "Gathering of Clouds and Winds," featuring peaks, caves, pavilions, bridges, and the unique sight of a "flying banyan on the rock." Beneath the rock lies a pond, which is said to have once connected to Liwan Lake, allowing boats to reach the foot of the stone mountain. The museum’s Xiguan residence recreates the typical layout and lifestyle of a traditional Xiguan home, showcasing its cultural ambiance.

Established in December 1996, Liwan Museum is the first district-level museum in Guangdong Province dedicated to collecting, exhibiting, and researching the history, culture, and folklore of Liwan. The main entrance is located west of Panxi Restaurant on Longjin West Road, and the side entrance is at No. 84 Fengyuan North Street, Longjin West Road. The museum is housed in the former residence of Mr. Chen Lianzhong, a comprador of the British-owned HSBC during the early Republican era, which was designated as a Guangzhou Municipal Cultural Relics Protection Unit in 1993.

Chen Lianbo and Chen Lianzhong were the sons of Chen Qiyuan, a pioneer of China’s national industry. Chen Lianbo served as the leader of the Guangzhou Chamber of Commerce during the Republican era. Both brothers built luxurious mansions, and the “Liwan Club,” an exclusive gathering place for prominent figures in Guangzhou’s foreign trade and industrial sectors, was hosted within their residences. The site features both Western-style villas and traditional Chinese gardens. The Chen Lianzhong Mansion, with a garden area of over one thousand square meters, boasts Roman and Greek-style columns and arches, as well as a renowned "Lingnan Stone Mountain Masterpiece" known as "Gathering of Clouds and Winds," featuring peaks, caves, pavilions, bridges, and the unique sight of a "flying banyan on the rock." Beneath the rock lies a pond, which is said to have once connected to Liwan Lake, allowing boats to reach the foot of the stone mountain.

On September 26, 2000, the second phase of Liwan Museum—the Xiguan Folk Museum—officially opened to the public. Centered around a reconstructed Xiguan residence, this 278-square-meter building is located east of the original museum site. Its establishment aims to fully protect and deeply explore the rich historical and cultural resources of Xiguan, partially recreating the typical layout and lifestyle of a traditional Xiguan home through furnishings and situational displays. The reconstructed Xiguan residence follows the principle of “restoring the old as it was,” comprehensively reviving the architectural style and layout of ancient homes in terms of floor plan, façade, design, and decorative details. The interior primarily showcases Ming and Qing dynasty Guangdong-style furniture, supplemented by exhibits such as “Architectural Ambience of Xiguan Residences,” “Xiguan Folk Customs,” “Wedding Traditions,” and “Seasonal Festivals” in areas like staircases, corridors, and vacant rooms, offering a comprehensive display of the lifestyle and cultural charm of Xiguan residents and the historic essence of “Xiguan Corner” and “Residential Forest.”

Address: No. 84 Fengyuan North Street, Longjin West Road, Liwan District, Guangzhou

Type: Museum

Recommended Visiting Time: 1–2 hours

Phone: 020-81939917

Opening Hours:

8:30–17:30 (last admission at 17:00), closed on Mondays

Ticket Information:

Gate Price: 10.0 RMB

Chen Lianzhong (1884–1974), courtesy name Zhongrong or Hengji, also known as Zuodian, was from Jian Village, Xiqiao, Nanhai, Guangdong.

His grandfather, Chen Qiyuan (1834–1903), a returned overseas Chinese, founded China’s first mechanized silk reeling factory, “Jichanglong,” in his hometown in 1873 and established the Changzhan Silk Shop on Yangren South Street in Xiguan, Guangzhou. He helped spur economic growth in sericulture and silk farming (agriculture), mechanized silk reeling (industry), and raw silk trade (commerce) during the latter half of the 19th century to the early 20th century, making him one of the first modern national capitalists. His father, Chen Puxuan, was a silk... More details on Chen Lianzhong++