An ancestral temple is traditionally dedicated to deified ancestors and progenitors of surname lineages, or families, in China. The temples are used for collective rituals and festivals in honor of the ancestors and also for other family- and community-related functions such as weddings and funerals.

Ancestral temples are also commonly seen across Shenzhen, mostly in urban villages. Many temples have become decayed due to lack of maintenance over the years, as the city underwent rapid economic development. However, people have begun paying attention to the protection of such ancestral temples in recent years. Many run-down temples are undergoing facelifts to remain standing among the city’s modern skyscrapers. (SD News)