Bonbo Archway

Bonbo Archway

Bonbo Archway is a cultural relic protection unit of Jiangxi Province.

Bonbo Archway is located at the front end of Sanshe Village, Ganluo Township, Anfu County. In the distance are majestic mountains, in front lies a vast expanse of fertile fields, and upstream, the clear spring from the "Scholar's Famous Pond" flows past the archway through a channel. An ancient stone-paved path winds its way into the distance. Three ponds in the front, left, and right form a triangular pattern that complements the ancient archway, while behind the archway are rows of densely packed residential houses, ancestral halls, and academy buildings.

Bonbo Archway is a memorial archway built by imperial decree during the Ming Dynasty’s Zhengde era to honor the outstanding achievements of Liu Ji from Sanshe Village (who served as Prefect of Haizhou), recognizing his distinguished service.

Bonbo Archway is a four-pillar, three-bay, wood-mimicking pavilion-style stone structure made of granite. It stands 7.53 meters tall and is 10.14 meters wide. The base consists of four layers of square massive stones stacked on top of each other, each stone being 78 cm high, 2.6 meters long, and 65 cm wide—solid and elegant in design. The lintel features a large arched beam. The central bay is 3.5 meters wide, with the beam adorned in high relief: the front carved with a design of two lions playing with a pearl, the back with two phoenixes facing the rising sun. The side bays are each 2 meters wide, with the beams on the left and right featuring in low relief: the front showing two galloping horses, the back depicting carp leaping through the air. Below the beams are perforated divine turtle spandrels providing support. The central arched beam on the second floor is inscribed with the bold regular-script characters “邦伯” (Bonbo), and on the left is engraved: “By Imperial Order of Huang Jinru, Censor of Nan Zhili, for Liu Ji, Prefect of Haizhou, Honorary Title of Fengxun Doctor.” The right side bears the inscription: “Erected on a propitious day in the first month of the Guiyou year, Zhengde era.” The central plaque on the third floor is a rectangular stone tablet inscribed with the two characters “承恩” (Cheng’en, meaning “Receiving Grace”). To the left and right of these characters are perforated openwork carvings of cloud-and-dragon motifs. The column tops use bracket arms (dou), and between the columns, wooden-imitating structural elements such as tie beams (éfang), ground ties (difu), and through beams (chuangfang) are used. The roof extends outward on three sides. The top and the area above the second floor are connected by bracket sets (dougong), which are of the one-bracket-three-step type, all carved from stone into lotus petal shapes, supporting a stone roof with a central ridge and two sloping sides decorated with patterns resembling blue tile surfaces. Bonbo Archway is grand and magnificent, exuding nobility and vigor. The various patterns carved above the archway gates are vivid and almost lifelike.

Liu Ji, styled Jingxiu and also known as Shengxuan, passed the imperial examination in the year of Yimao and was appointed as Prefect of Haizhou (present-day Lianyungang) in the year of Xinyou during the Zhengde era. When he took office, the region was suffering from a severe drought. Liu Ji personally led the people to set up an altar to pray to the City God and the sea, hoping for rain to save the populace. He also submitted petitions to the imperial court requesting tax exemptions, lighter punishments, greater emphasis on education, visits to understand public sentiment, and promotion of agriculture. He earned deep respect from the local people. To guard against disturbances by rebel armies led by Liu Liu and Liu Qi, he built walls along the coast using massive stones and dug trenches throughout the city. During one rebel attack, Liu Ji lured the enemy deep into his territory, beheaded hundreds, and achieved a major victory over the insurgents. To recognize Liu Ji’s achievements, the emperor granted permission to construct the “Bonbo” memorial stone archway in his hometown. Even after 500 years, it remains largely intact.

Sanshe Village: Also known in ancient times as Shangjing, Sanshe Village is located within Anfu County, Jiangxi Province, and boasts a history of over 1,000 years. It currently has more than 360 households and a population of around 1,700. Due to its remote location and inconvenient transportation, Sanshe Village has remained hidden away like a "jade in the rough," preserving many precious historical relics. The village is home to the Bonbo Archway and the tomb of Liu Duo, both designated as county-level key cultural relic protection units by the Anfu County People’s Government. The village’s weathered houses have also been listed as provincial-level key cultural relic protection units.

To the south of the mountain behind the village lies Xiane Peak of Gaotou Ridge, stretching close by. Here, streams meander around, surrounded by beautiful peaks, with simple folk customs and numerous ancestral halls... More details about Sanshe Village ++

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of Jiangxi Provincial Cultural Relic Protection Units