Jiang's Ancestral Hall

Built in the early years of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), the Jiang’s Ancestral Hall is a typical Cantonese work of architecture, with much attention to detail paid to the many types of doors and the functions of the doors throughout it. 

It is also embellished with decorative relief carvings and sculptures, especially in the temples and ancestral halls. Some carvings and sculptures were made from wood, bricks and stones. The subject matter of these carvings and sculptures generally revolve around figures and scenes from Chinese mythology and folklore.

The Jiang’s Ancestral Hall in Bao’an District.

The most striking feature of the hall is oyster shell walls. Historians believe that the Jiang family used oyster shells for the walls due to the large quantity of oysters available in Shajing. The exterior walls were constructed entirely of oyster shells from the foundation to the roofline. The exposed oyster shells are inlaid like fish scales, reflecting a dazzling silver sheen. Today, these time-honored "oyster shell houses" have become a popular tourist attraction and social media check-in spot.

Venue: Jiang’s Ancestral Hall, 204 Buchong Village, Bao’an District (宝安区步涌村204号江氏大宗祠)

Metro: Line 12, Buchong Station (步涌站), Exit A