Sunday, September 7, 2008

Lingnan culture

Lingnan culture refers to the culture of Guangdong and the nearby in China. It is the subject of research at institutions such as the Center for Lingnan Culture. It is typically contrasted with Zhongyuan culture, that of China's .

Architecture






Lingnan architecture is concentrated at Xiguan. Built at the end of the Qing Dynasty, Baomo Garden is located at Zini Village near Shawan town of Panyu and is a fine example of classical Lingnan architecture. Once inside, exotic buildings, gardens, hills, lakes and bridges are found - a place that reveals interplay between nature's art and man-made art in forms of sculptures and edifices, which boast intricate clay, porcelain, brick, wood and carving. Chen Clan Temple is another representative of Lingnan architecture. The Temple was built in the sixteenth year of Guangxu Emperor of the Qing Dynasty and served as an academy for families in 72 counties of the . It comprises all sorts of folk architectural and decorative arts, and is famous for its "Three Carvings" , "Three sculptures" and "One cast" . Therefore, it is called the best of all the clan temples in neighbourhood.

Today, some building elements of Lingnan architecture are adapted in constructions of commercial districts in Guangzhou. In streets like Beijinglu Commercial Street, Zhongshan Wulu Road and Hui Fulu Road, old-fashioned shops of Lingnan architecture are found in heaps. Attached to the second storey from the pavement, numerous pillars were built in front of the stores. Similar building styles are still common in some torn-down areas both in Hong Kong and Taipei.

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