Shaoli Shimen Archway

Shaoli Shimen Archway

Shaoli Shimen Archway is a cultural relic protection unit of Nanchang City.

“Shaoli Shimen Archway” is located in the central part of the Shaoli Village Group, Zhushan Village, Sanjiang Town. It faces south, with a relatively large drying ground in front, a large fishpond further to the south, and residential houses to the east, west, and north.

Judging from the remaining door bolt stone on the back of the archway and the two wing walls with a spread-out design on both sides, this stone archway was likely the entrance gate of an ancient building. As the main structure has been destroyed, only the stone archway remains today.

The archway is a two-story pavilion-style structure with a construction area of 18 square meters. The side walls are spread out in a fan shape, with red stone pillars. The upper parts of the pillars are all carved with geometric patterns. The central gate’s upper middle section is inlaid with a red stone plaque inscribed in intaglio with “Legacy of the Governor” (刺史流芳) on the left, and vertically inscribed on the right as “Written by Rao Wei, Censor and Education Inspector of Nan Zhili, Presented Scholar,” and on the left as “Re-erected in the winter of the 17th year of the Wanli era (1599) by descendants including Youdao.”

Unlike typical stone memorial archways that use stone for brackets, this structure employs blue bricks laid in a corbelled fashion to form two layers of brick arches. Above these, gray bricks laid in a “one-ding-one-shun” pattern support the overhanging eaves. The lower part of the corbelled brick arches features stone “ang” components—imitations of palace architectural structures—which make it stand out with a unique and distinctive style.

The stone beam of the main gate is carved with a bas-relief design of two dragons playing with a pearl. The upper beam depicts an early court scene of officials. On both sides of the “Legacy of the Governor” plaque are carvings of officials paying homage. The side beams feature scenes of officials on outings and theatrical characters. All the carvings are vivid and exquisitely crafted.

The stone archway has a long history, dating back over 400 years. Its main structure is largely intact. The corbelled brick arches achieve simplicity amid complexity, reflecting the architectural style of the time and offering significant reference value for the study of Ming Dynasty stone carving art.

About 20 meters to the south of the archway is the village’s only large pond. Approximately 200 meters to the north is the Xiangtang–Leping railway line.

On January 10, 2005, the Nanchang County People's Government listed it as a cultural relic protection unit in the fourth batch of Nanchang County Cultural Relics Protection Units.

On March 26, 2006, the Nanchang Municipal People's Government listed it as a cultural relic protection unit in the third batch of Nanchang Municipal Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Source: Nanchang County Museum

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