The "Jixu Qihuang" Archway-Style Gatehouse in Shuinan

The "Jixu Qihuang" Archway-Style Gatehouse in Shuinan

The "Jixu Qihuang" Archway-Style Gatehouse is a cultural heritage site protected at the provincial level in Jiangxi Province.

The "Jixu Qihuang" Archway-Style Gatehouse is located at the Wanshou Palace in Shuinan Village, Niutian Town, Le'an County. The Shuinan Wanshou Palace combines worship and temple fair functions and was built in the 48th year of the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty (1783). It is rectangular in shape, with a depth of 35 meters, a width of 16.4 meters, and an area of 574 square meters. It consists of four courtyards and is made up of three parts: the "Ancient Theater Stage," the Wanshou Palace, the Guan Di Temple, and the Lotus Nunnery.

The "Jixu Qihuang" Memorial Archway: Also known as the Ding Family Archway or the Red Stone Archway, it was built in the 10th year of the Shunzhi reign of the Qing Dynasty (1653). The archway is 11 meters high, 20 meters wide, and 0.8 meters thick.

The upper section features a hip-and-gable roof style, with four pillars, three bays, and three stories. It has a single-eave hip roof, five tiers of bracket sets with ruyi motifs, layered eaves that step upward, and a precious bottle finial at the top. The horizontal plaque above the central gate is inscribed with four gilded characters reading "Jixu Qihuang" (Continuing the Imperial Glory), while the reverse side is inscribed with "Zhi Jiang Zi Tian" (Ascending and Descending from Heaven). Four vivid carp are depicted leaping in the four cardinal directions of the archway. The craftsmanship is exquisite, with small bluish-brown stone strips carved into the shape of the Chinese character "工" (work), layered and tilted outward. Six hollow relief carvings are symmetrically inlaid on both sides.

Behind the archway lies the spacious and deep Ding Family Ancestral Hall, which spans three bays and three courtyards. The four grand pillars in the main hall exude an imposing aura, reflecting the former splendor of this noble residence. Despite over 360 years of weathering, it remains well-preserved.

Shuinan Village has a history of more than 1,200 years. The village features interconnected structures such as the Wanshou Palace, Guan Di Temple, and Lotus Nunnery, represented by the "Jixu Qihuang" Archway-Style Gatehouse. These sites integrate Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, creating a remarkable spectacle of ancient architectural artistry.

Shuinan Village: With a population of 3,035, 1,052 households, 50 Party members, and 10 village groups, the village covers an arable land area of 1,849.48 mu. … More detailed information about Shuinan Village++

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of Jiangxi Provincial Cultural Heritage Protection Units