Chen Baisha (1428-1500), also known as Chen Xianzhang, left an indelible mark on the 2,000-year-old city. A noted Confucian scholar during the Ming Dynasty, Chen is the only person from Guangdong province ever to have been inducted into the Confucian Temple. The Chen Baisha Memorial comprises a main gate, a bronze statue, lovely gardens, and several buildings. While buildings have been added over the centuries - the latest were built in 1996 - the oldest structures date back to the Ming Dynasty. The Chastity Memorial Archway, built in 1477, pays tribute to Chen's mother, who remained faithful to her husband following his death, as required by the Confucian moral code. Emperor Xuan Zong ordered that the archway be built in her honour. Directly behind the archway is the Chen Baisha Ancestral Temple. Built in the siheyuan, or courtyard, style, it contains a number of relics and valued pieces of calligraphy. It was built in 1584 by edict of Emperor Wanli to commemorate Chen's induction into the Confucian Temple. Adjoining the compound is a clutch of traditional grey-brick houses. Wandering through the stone-clad alleyways affords a nostalgic glimpse back in time. After exploring the grounds, relax at one of two teahouses that flank the entrance. Both tea ceremony and guzheng performances are on the agenda. Call ahead to check times.

7 Xiqu Avenue

Tel: (0750) 3527027