Fenshuiguan Gongtan Minyue Archway

Fenshuiguan Gongtan Minyue Archway

The Fenshuiguan Gongtan Minyue Archway is a cultural relic protection unit of Fujian Province.

The Fenshuiguan Gongtan Minyue Archway is located at Fenshuiguan, Shangying Village, Shenqiao Town, Zhao’an County, and dates back to the Ming Dynasty.

Description: During the Chongzhen era of the Ming Dynasty (1628–1644), local gentry and residents from Fujian and Guangdong built this archway to commend Zheng Zhilong, then Vice Commander of the Nanao Garrison, for his suppression of pirates and foreign marauders. It faces east-west, is constructed of granite in imitation of wood, and follows a three-bay, five-story, eight-pillar layout, with a width of 7.5 meters and an overall height of 9 meters. The roof is covered with stone eaves, and the central ridge features a chiwen (mythical beast) with supporting figures beneath, giving it an ancient and rustic appearance. There are four main pillars in the central and side bays, with four additional diagonal side pillars in the side bays for support. The lintels are in the shape of moon beams, supported by bracket sets connecting to pillar extensions. The front and back of the plaque are inscribed with “Resounding Through China and Beyond” and “Merits Extending Across Fujian and Guangdong.” Associated relics include the Victory Pavilion and the “Anti-Wokou Deeds Stele.” This stone archway bears witness to historical events such as the suppression of pirates and the War of Resistance against Japan.

In 2013, the Fenshuiguan Gongtan Minyue Archway was designated as part of the eighth batch of provincial-level cultural relic protection units by the People’s Government of Fujian Province.

Protective boundary: 20 meters outward from all sides of the archway.

Shenqiao Town: Shenqiao Town is the southernmost township in Fujian Province, bordering Raoping County of Guangdong Province. It is home to the Min-Yue Border Development Zone, one of the first provincial-level development zones, and serves as the southern gateway of Fujian Province. The town covers an area of 6,436 hectares, including 2,513.7 hectares of arable land and a planned urban area of 500 hectares. The built-up area spans 150 hectares and includes 28 administrative villages, with a total of 16,018 households and a population of 61,863. Among them, Gangtou Village is an ethnic She village, with a She population of 544 households and 2,193 people.

Shenqiao Town is the main production area for grain, oil, and fruit in the county and has long been known as... More details about Shenqiao Town++

Further reading:

· Eighth Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units of Fujian Province