Xianbo Archway (Chengchang Archway)

Xianbo Archway (Chengchang Archway)

Xianbo Archway (Chengchang Archway) is a cultural relic protection unit of Huangshan City.

Xianbo Archway, also known as the "Chengchang Archway," is located by the Donghe Stream in Liudu Village, Xuling Township, Qimen County, adjacent to the "Hexi" Bridge.

Liudu, historically known as Shanhe Li, was once described as "small Qimen County, but big Liudu Village." The Cheng clan of Shanhe placed great emphasis on Confucian studies and education, encouraging their clansmen to pursue academic success and official careers. They implemented a series of incentive policies, resulting in numerous individuals from the clan entering officialdom through imperial examinations. Cheng Chang of the Ming Dynasty, who served as the Surveillance Commissioner of Sichuan, was one of them.

Cheng Chang, courtesy name Shiyang, art name Hexi, was born in the 11th year of the Chenghua reign (1475) and died in the 30th year of the Jiajing reign (1551). As a young man, he studied under his elder brother Cheng Gao, and later under Cheng Kai of Leping. In the spring of 1508 (the 3rd year of the Zhengde reign), he passed the imperial examination and became a Jinshi (presented scholar), and in 1513 (the 8th year of the Zhengde reign), he was promoted to Censor of the Shanxi Circuit. At that time, coastal pirates in Fujian were rampant, causing great harm to the local people. He was thus appointed to inspect Fujian, using both benevolence and authority to quell the pirate threat. In 1518 (the 13th year of the Zhengde reign), after being tasked with overseeing the Yunnan, Sichuan, and Shaanxi circuits, he repeatedly achieved meritorious deeds. In 1527 (the 6th year of the Jiajing reign), he was promoted to Surveillance Commissioner of Sichuan and concurrently served as Supervisor of Education. Governing Sichuan with virtue rather than harsh laws, he maintained peace and stability in his jurisdiction. In his later years, he devoted himself to writing, producing several works such as "Doushan Gong’s Family Discourses," "Annotations on the Ancient Text of the Great Learning," and "Annotations on the Four Books," along with poems and essays.

To honor his achievements in office, this ancient archway was built during the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty. The structure is a four-pillared, three-bayed, five-story design made of purple sandstone. The front upper beam is inscribed with "Grand Censor" (in ancient times, the Surveillance Commissioner was responsible for criminal justice administration and was also called "Censor," while "Bo" is an honorific title), the middle beam reads "Surveillance Commissioner of Sichuan Cheng Chang," the rear upper beam is inscribed with "Embroidered Robe," and the lower beam states "Cheng Chang, the Gengchen Year Imperial Scholar." The pillars and crossbeams feature openwork carvings adorned with dragon, phoenix, floral, and bird motifs. The archway stands 8.8 meters tall and 7.16 meters wide. Majestic and grand, yet simple and bold in style, it is the only large stone archway extant in Qimen County and is of great value.

Xianbo Archway (Chengchang Archway) has been designated as a cultural relic protection unit of Huangshan City.

Liudu Village: Located north of the county seat, Liudu Village comprises 10 villager groups, with a total of 332 households and 1,241 residents. The village has 39,089 mu of mountain land, 1,167 mu of cultivated land, 939 mu of paddy fields, and 1,483 mu of tea plantations. The village has a six-member committee and currently has 32 party members, including 6 female members and 5 members under the age of 35. In 2011, the per capita net income of farmers was 7,646 yuan. The main economic sources of villagers are migrant work and income from tea production.

Liudu Village is surrounded by mountains, with the entire settlement nestled against hills and a river. The Hexi Stream flows... Detailed information about Liudu Village ++