Hongkeng Memorial Archways and the Hong Family Ancestral Temple

Hongkeng Memorial Archways and the Hong Family Ancestral Temple

Hongkeng Memorial Archways and the Hong Family Ancestral Temple are designated as Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level.

Hongkeng Memorial Archways and the Hong Family Ancestral Temple are located in Hongkeng Village, Yansi Town, Huizhou District, Huangshan City.

The village is one of the main settlements of the ancient Huizhou Hong clan, boasting a long history and a tradition of producing officials, flourishing especially during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Today, over 40 ancient buildings from the Ming and Qing periods remain intact in the village, with the Scholar's Archway, the Generation of Scholars Archway, and the Hong Family Ancestral Temple serving as representative structures.

The Hongkeng Memorial Archways consist of four structures: the Generation of Scholars Archway, the Scholar's Archway, the Wu Family Chastity Archway, and the Wu Family Filial Piety and Chastity Archway. The Scholar's Archway and the two Chastity Archways are situated to the south of the village, spanning the entrance road leading into the village. These are Qing dynasty constructions built with tea garden stone. The Scholar's Archway was erected in the second year of the Qianlong reign of the Qing dynasty (1737) to honor Hong Benren, who passed the imperial examination as a Jinshi in the Ding Si Enke examination. The two Chastity Archways were built in the sixth year of the Qianlong reign (1741) and the 21st year of the Jiaqing reign (1816), respectively, to commemorate the chastity of Wu, wife of Hong Xianshao, and the filial piety and chastity of Wu, wife of Hong Yipo. The Generation of Scholars Archway is located in the center of the village and originally stood as a gateway arch in front of an ancestral hall (the building of which has been destroyed). This archway was first constructed in the 11th year of the Hongzhi reign of the Ming dynasty (1498) to commemorate the scholars of the Hong clan in Hongkeng who achieved success in the imperial examinations across 400 years up to the Guangxu reign of the Qing dynasty. The Hong Family Ancestral Temple faces east and is located at the foot of the opposite mountain, standing opposite the Generation of Scholars Archway. Originally built in the Ming dynasty, the current structure dates to the Qing dynasty. It serves as a branch ancestral temple for one line of the Hong clan, consisting of a gatehouse, an offering hall, and a rear hall.

On October 7, 2019, Hongkeng Memorial Archways and the Hong Family Ancestral Temple were included in the eighth batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level.

(1) Generation of Scholars Archway.

Protected area: 10 meters east to the vegetable field of the Hong Bingzhao household, 11 meters south, 6 meters west to the road, and 5 meters north to the residence of the Wang Wenjuan household.

Construction control zone: outside the protected area — 10 meters east of the archway, 30 meters south of the archway, 20 meters west of the ancestral temple, and north to the residence of Hong Xilin.

(2) Hong Family Ancestral Temple.

Protected area: 3 meters east, 3 meters west to the residence of Hong Richeng, 3 meters south to the kitchen of the Hong Xiaoyu household, and 2 meters north to the road.

Construction control zone: outside the protected area — 10 meters east of the archway, 30 meters south of the archway, 20 meters west of the ancestral temple, and north to the residence of Hong Xilin.

(3) Scholar's Archway.

Protected area: 10 meters east to the screen wall, 8 meters south to the paddy field, 15 meters west, and 4 meters north.

Construction control zone: outside the protected area — to the mountaintop in the east, 30 meters east of the Filial Piety and Chastity Archway in the south, 50 meters west of the Scholar's Archway in the west, and 50 meters north of the Scholar's Archway in the north.

(4) Chastity Archway.

Protected area: 5 meters east, west, and south, and 8 meters north.

Construction control zone: outside the protected area — to the mountaintop in the east, 30 meters east of the Filial Piety and Chastity Archway in the south, 50 meters west of the Scholar's Archway in the west, and 50 meters north of the Scholar's Archway in the north.

(5) Filial Piety and Chastity Archway.

Protected area: 3 meters east and west, and 5 meters south and north.

Construction control zone: outside the protected area — to the mountaintop in the east, 30 meters east of the Filial Piety and Chastity Archway in the south, 50 meters west of the Scholar's Archway in the west, and 50 meters north of the Scholar's Archway in the north.

Hongkeng Village: Hongkeng Village is an ancient settlement with a history of over 1,200 years, located in Yansi Town, Huizhou District, Huangshan City. It features profound cultural heritage and is situated southeast of Yansi Town, approximately 5 kilometers from both Yansi and She County, and just 5 li from Xiaonanhai in Xiong Village, She County. The village comprises two natural hamlets—Hongkeng and Wangdaqiao—and has a population of over 1,300.

… More detailed information about Hongkeng Village ++

Further reading:

· Eighth Batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level