Yongfeng Archway Cluster

Yongfeng Archway Cluster

The Yongfeng Archway Cluster is a cultural relic protection unit of Huangshan City.

The Yongfeng Archway Cluster is located in Yongfeng Township, Huangshan District, dating back to the Qing Dynasty.

In 1965, when Yongfeng Township built the Yanshan Reservoir, the archway cluster of Lingsuxu Village was completely demolished as remnants of feudalism, with the broken archway stones used as reservoir construction materials to build the foundation and culverts. In 2013, these buried archway stones were discovered by local villagers during winter water conservancy work and were excavated from under the reservoir dam.

In 2014, the Yongfeng Township government began the restoration and reconstruction of these ancient archways to permanently preserve these cultural relics. In 2016, through the active efforts of the local government and relevant departments, the largely well-preserved archway stones were reassembled and re-erected at Guanyin Bridge at the water’s edge of Lingsuxu Village, where they originally stood.

Judging by their structure, scale, and design, the Lingsuxu Village Archway Cluster is second only to the Tangyue Archway Cluster, representing one of the finest examples of archway architectural art in southern Anhui and the second-largest ancient archway complex in Anhui Province. The five archways share largely similar architectural styles.

The main components of the archways are made from locally quarried white marble, while the lintels, inscribed plaques, imperial edict plaques, and decorative panels are crafted from bluestone, known for its hardness, smoothness, and fine texture. The thick pillars are smoothly polished without carving, all inscribed with symmetrical relief couplets. The crossbeams and arch ribs feature simple cloud patterns, while spandrels, plaques, and eaves corners are adorned with floral motifs. The entire archway cluster presents an appearance that is rustic, elegant, dignified, and rich with historical gravitas.

The first is the Chastity Archway, the only four-pillar, three-bay, three-story towering archway in the cluster. It spans 4.43 meters, with a main ridge 6.45 meters high and pillars 2.79 meters tall. Erected during the Tongzhi era of the Qing Dynasty, it was built to honor Madam Cao, wife of Su Wenzi. According to the Su family genealogy: “At age 22, she became widowed but remained resolute in her chastity. In the early Tongzhi years, while fleeing chaos to Changgai in She County, she encountered bandits, cursed them defiantly, was stabbed several times, and died a martyr. Upon hearing the story, authorities honored her with an archway erected at the water’s edge of Kanshang in Tai County.” The crossbeam bears the horizontal inscription “Upholding Moral Order,” and each of the four pillars features couplets: the side ones read “Fame enduring for centuries marks this noble stele; imperial grace adorns silk inscriptions from the heavens,” while the central one reads “Amid ice and snow, her virtue blooms like orchid among chaste women; upholding righteousness, she is a paragon of womanhood.”

The second is the Loyalty and Righteousness Archway. It spans 2.89 meters, with a main ridge 7.42 meters high and pillars 3.47 meters tall. Erected during the Guangxu era of the Qing Dynasty, it was built to honor Su Chengmei, known as “Su the Millionaire” of Lingsuxu. According to the Su family genealogy: “In the third year of Guangxu, when Shanxi suffered drought, (Su Chengmei) was the first to donate relief funds (1,200 taels of silver). The then Anhui governor, Yu Lu of Changbai, petitioned for an archway to honor his charitable deeds.” The crossbeam bears the horizontal inscription “Shining Brighter Than Sun and Moon,” and the two pillars feature the couplets: “A lifetime of purity rivals snow on Jade Lake; everlasting fame drifts like clouds over sea and mountain.”

The third is the Chastity Archway. It spans 2.86 meters, with a main ridge 7.03 meters high and pillars 3.14 meters tall. Erected during the Guangxu era of the Qing Dynasty, it was built to honor Madam Cao, wife of Su Wenlu. According to the Su family genealogy: “At age 20, she became widowed, pledged to remain chaste, endured hardship with fortitude, and adopted her nephew as heir. She cherished and raised him until he grew up. Upon hearing her story, authorities honored her with an archway at the water’s edge of Kanshang in Tai County.” The crossbeam bears the horizontal inscription “Virtue Harmonizing Feminine Chastity,” and the two pillars feature the couplets: “At seventeen, she pledged her unyielding purity; at fifty, her hardship bore fruit, praised in writing.”

The fourth is the Chastity Archway. It spans 2.89 meters, with a main ridge 7.35 meters high and pillars 3.47 meters tall. Erected during the Guangxu era of the Qing Dynasty, it was built to honor Madam Du, wife of Su Wenkai. According to the Su family genealogy: “Married at 19, she became widowed within half a year, pledged to remain chaste, adopted an heir, and raised him to adulthood. Upon hearing her story, authorities honored her with an archway at the water’s edge of Kanshang in Tai County.” The crossbeam bears the horizontal inscription “Fame Lasting Through the Ages,” and the two pillars feature the couplets: “Meritorious chastity recorded in history; noble stele honors her enduring virtue.”

The fifth is the Chastity Archway. It spans 2.85 meters, with a main ridge 7.43 meters high and pillars 3.47 meters tall. Erected during the Guangxu era of the Qing Dynasty, it was built to honor Madam Du, wife of Su Wenba. According to the Su family genealogy: “At age 27, she became widowed, pledged to remain chaste. She worked diligently at weaving, unwavering until the end. Upon hearing her story, authorities honored her with an archway at the water’s edge of Kanshang in Tai County.” The crossbeam bears the horizontal inscription “Purity Like Ice and Jade,” and the two pillars feature the couplets: “Vows made to mountain and sea, a lifelong promise; sunlight and autumn frost, eternal remembrance.”

The Yongfeng Archway Cluster has been designated as a cultural relic protection unit of Huangshan City.

Source: Yongfeng Township, Huangshan District

Yongfeng Township: Located in the northwest of Huangshan District, Yongfeng Township borders Taihu Lake to the south. It is known as a land of culture and green food, situated along the golden tourism route of “Huangshan–Taihu Lake–Jiuhua Mountain.” It serves as a key hub connecting various scenic spots in Huangshan District with Jiuhua Mountain, the former residence of Wang Jiaxiang in Jing County, and the former site of the New Fourth Army headquarters. National Highway X037 runs through the township, and the Hefei–Tongling–Huangshan Expressway also passes nearby, giving it a prominent location advantage. The township covers a total area of 84 square kilometers with a population of over 7,000, comprising six administrative villages and 56 villager groups. Nestled by the scenic Taihu Lake, Yongfeng Township boasts picturesque mountains and clear waters... More details about Yongfeng Township++

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of Municipal Cultural Relic Protection Units in Huangshan City