This morning after a breakfast to die for which had everything from dumplings to pizza we headed off to the Chen Family Ancestral Temple.
As we entered the Temple we were surrounded by curious Chinese families. Caucasians with Chinese babies are clearly a rarity. Most of the onlookers were very friendly. Luckily our guide Grace gave us all cards to wear around our necks which explain in Chinese just who we are and what we are doing. At first the whole idea of wearing a card around my neck seemed goofy, but the card really helps us communicate with the Chinese people. I only hope it doesn't really say "look at us dumb Americans or kick me here (lol)..."
Before entering Grace demonstrated how the local hackie sack game works and we were confronted with many people trying to sell us one...I had no need for one as I have no plans to attend a Grateful Dead show anytime soon...
The Ancestral Temple of The Chen Family is now the largest and best preserved and decorated ancient architecture existing in Guangdong Province and now the site of the Guangdong Folk Art Museum.
It was designated as an important cultural relic under the State protection by the state Council in 1986. This ancestral temple was built between 1890 and 1894 during the reign of Emperor Guangxu of the Qing dynasty.It was built with donations of the Chen family then spread in 72 counties in Guangdong province. The temple used to provide lodgings for candidates of the Chen family who came to Guangdong to prepare for imperial examinations in Guangzhou. Hence it was also called the Chen Clan Academy. Occupying an area of 15,000 square meters, the temple, has a rectangular main building and comprises six courtyards, nine main halls, and nineteen buildings. With an architectural design of traditional Guangdong style, the temple is especially renowned for its beautiful decorations. In the temple, historical figures, legends, and scenes are represented in many art forms, including wood carving, brick carving, pottery carving, stone carving, lime carving, clay sculpture, ash sculpture, brass and cast iron, grotto, new year painting, and so on. These artistic and historical attributes make the temple an important attraction in Guangzhou.
At the temple I bought some beautiful paintings and calligraphy for Claudia. The artist painted the works right before our eyes. After that it was off to the Jade market. The jewelery was too beautiful to leave behind so i felt compelled to buy some!! I have been buying various items to put away for Claudia in her hope chest. Most families try to buy a number of gifts for the girls to remind them of their homeland. So far I have chop sticks, a tea set, jade, porcelain, bells and will be looking for more tomorrow.
After the Jade Market we headed back to the hotel for R & R. I simply enjoyed the gym and down time with Claudia. We played with bubbles I brought from home, which do say made in China, and watched alot of Chinese MTV..she is not a half bad dancer if you can get past the drool and runny noes.
It was designated as an important cultural relic under the State protection by the state Council in 1986. This ancestral temple was built between 1890 and 1894 during the reign of Emperor Guangxu of the Qing dynasty.It was built with donations of the Chen family then spread in 72 counties in Guangdong province. The temple used to provide lodgings for candidates of the Chen family who came to Guangdong to prepare for imperial examinations in Guangzhou. Hence it was also called the Chen Clan Academy. Occupying an area of 15,000 square meters, the temple, has a rectangular main building and comprises six courtyards, nine main halls, and nineteen buildings. With an architectural design of traditional Guangdong style, the temple is especially renowned for its beautiful decorations. In the temple, historical figures, legends, and scenes are represented in many art forms, including wood carving, brick carving, pottery carving, stone carving, lime carving, clay sculpture, ash sculpture, brass and cast iron, grotto, new year painting, and so on. These artistic and historical attributes make the temple an important attraction in Guangzhou.
At the temple I bought some beautiful paintings and calligraphy for Claudia. The artist painted the works right before our eyes. After that it was off to the Jade market. The jewelery was too beautiful to leave behind so i felt compelled to buy some!! I have been buying various items to put away for Claudia in her hope chest. Most families try to buy a number of gifts for the girls to remind them of their homeland. So far I have chop sticks, a tea set, jade, porcelain, bells and will be looking for more tomorrow.
After the Jade Market we headed back to the hotel for R & R. I simply enjoyed the gym and down time with Claudia. We played with bubbles I brought from home, which do say made in China, and watched alot of Chinese MTV..she is not a half bad dancer if you can get past the drool and runny noes.
We will be heading out for a group dinner tonight. I am totally having a blast now, but miss home and Colton so much...I can't wait to return to my ordinary life.....
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