Congxi Ancestral Hall
从熙公祠
A late-Qing ancestral hall built by an overseas Chinese merchant in Caitang Town. Its stone carvings, which took fourteen years to complete, are hailed as the finest in Chaoshan. The openwork stone carvings show layers of figures and scenes.
Congxi Ancestral Hall is in Jinsha Village, Caitang Town, Chao'an District, Chaozhou. It was built between the Tongzhi and Guangxu eras of the Qing dynasty by Chen Xunnian, an overseas Chinese from Johor, Malaysia. It is said to have taken more than ten years to complete. The hall is best known for the stone carvings on its gate tower and front corridor. Craftsmen carved multiple layers of openwork on bluestone, depicting scenes such as fishermen, woodcutters, farmers and scholars, the four social classes of scholar, farmer, artisan and merchant, and opera stories. The figures are lifelike, and even the chains and lanterns move. It is regarded as the peak of Chaoshan stone carving art and is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit. The hall is small, a visit takes about 40 minutes, and admission is low. Caitang Town is also known for its stainless-steel products. It can be combined with Longhu Ancient Village and the Chen Cihuang Former Residence as a one-day 'Chaoshan Ancient Architecture Route'.
Opening hours
About 08:30–17:30
Nearby sights
- Longhu Ancient Village
- Zhongshan Park, Shantou
- Shantou Xiaogongyuan Historic District
- Cunxin Shantang Charity Hall
- Old Mazu Temple & Laomagong Stage
- Shantou Qiaopi Museum
- Shantou Seaside Promenade
- Shantou Stone Fort Park