After leaving the Sacred Heart Cathedral, we took a short ride to 陈家祠, also known as the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall. The rain was still falling and the air felt cold and damp, but the moment we stepped inside, I forgot about the weather completely. My first thought was simply, wow.

The place is stunning. Every roof edge, every beam, every wall seemed to be covered with colourful carvings and tiny sculptures. Dragons, phoenixes, warriors, flowers, mythical creatures, all sitting quietly on the rooftops and looking down at visitors like us. I found myself walking slower and slower, afraid I might miss something. Even my kids, who are usually more interested in snacks than old buildings, were pointing at the details and asking questions.

Inside the halls, there were exhibitions of delicate ivory carvings, woodwork, pottery and miniature figures. One display showed a banquet scene carved in ivory, with dozens of tiny people frozen in the middle of a feast. We were told that particular piece of ivory carving took ten years or more to complete. That stopped me in my tracks. Ten years on a single piece. I looked closer at the tiny faces and folds of clothing and felt a deep respect for the craftsmen who dedicated so much of their lives to these works.

Despite the wet and cold weather outside, the courtyard felt calm and peaceful. We stood there for a while, taking photos and just soaking in the atmosphere.

陈家祠 turned out to be one of my favourite stops in Guangzhou. It was impressive, beautiful and surprisingly moving in its own gentle way. Rain or shine, this place is worth visiting. It left us inspired, a little humbled, and very grateful that we decided not to skip it just because of the weather.