Chen clan's compound offers visitors rare insight into past

The ancestral hall, which has been restored twice since 1958, faces south and consists of 19 independent units, all connected by corridors, interspersed with courtyards.

"The architectural style of the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall is part of our intangible heritage, and we have to share this with the public," Huang says.

The hall covers an area of 15,000 square meters and features architectural elements like delicate wood, brick, stone and pottery carvings, as well as color paintings.

The museum also has an exhibition that tells the story of the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall.

The complex received 1.18 million visits last year, compared to 1.08 million in 2017, according to Huang. She expects the number to reach 1.4 million this year.

At the site, visitors can not only visit the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, but also see more than 20,000 antiques and modern artworks, including ceramics, embroidery and bronze ware.

The Guangdong Folk Arts Museum was named a top national museum by the Chinese Society of Museums in 2017.

"We often receive invitations from members of the Chen clan abroad, such as those in Malaysia and Indonesia," Huang says.