“Seven Countrysides Scenic Gateway” Archway

“Seven Countrysides Scenic Gateway” Archway

The “Seven Countrysides Scenic Gateway” Archway is a cultural relic protection unit of Haishu District.

The “Seven Countrysides Scenic Gateway” Archway is situated at the northwest end of Hengzhang Village, Shiqi Subdistrict, Haishu District. The archway faces south and is constructed from stone as a two-pillar, single-bay, single-eave hip-and-gable roof structure. It has a total width of 2.42 meters and a height of 2.32 meters. Based on the architectural structure and style of the existing archway, it is determined to be a Ming Dynasty construction. The hip-and-gable roof features gently upturned wing corners, with animal-shaped ridge beasts at both ends of the main ridge; the vertical ridges are adorned with ridge beasts, while the front eaves are carved with tile ribs, tile ends, and water spouts. The pillars are square, with their outer edges chamfered; each pillar has a cross-section of 0.29×0.28 meters, and the chamfered edges measure 0.15 meters. The base of each pillar has a plinth, with bracket arms shaped like drum stands supporting the upper sections. A lintel connects the tops of the pillars, bearing four square, bold characters reading “Seven Countrysides Scenic Gateway”; the rest of the lintel text has been eroded and is illegible. To the north of the lintel is a door pivot hole.

The western region of Yin (Yinzhou) was originally divided into seven countrysides, and this location served as a key gateway for the Nan Tang River leading into the city, hence the name “Seven Countrysides Scenic Gateway.” Currently, the archway is well-preserved, with a stable structure, and holds significant reference value for the study of ancient architectural development in our district. In September 2010, it was designated as the ninth batch of district-level cultural relic protection units in Yinzhou District, and after the 2016 administrative division adjustment of Ningbo City, it became part of Haishu District.

Source: Haishu District Cultural Relics Management Office

Shiqi Subdistrict: Shiqi Subdistrict of Yinzhou District is located in the southern suburbs of Ningbo, an open coastal city in Zhejiang Province. It is adjacent to Ningbo’s new South Bus Station, and within its jurisdiction are Ningbo International Airport and the Ningbo Textile City Market. Major transportation routes such as the Shanghai–Hangzhou–Ningbo Expressway, Yongjin Expressway, Provincial Highway 214, Yin County Avenue, Yinzhou Avenue, and the airport dedicated highway all pass through the area, making it an important “image window” of Ningbo. The subdistrict covers an area of 34 square kilometers (including 9.3 square kilometers of developed urban area), and governs 16 administrative villages, 3 neighborhood committees, and 1 fishing cooperative. By the end of 2005, the subdistrict had a total resident population of 4.9… More detailed information about Shiqi Subdistrict++