Lion Gate Stone Archway at Ancestral Hall

Lion Gate Stone Archway at Ancestral Hall

The Lion Gate Stone Archway at the Ancestral Hall is a cultural relic protection unit of Nanchang County.

The Lion Gate Stone Archway at the Ancestral Hall is located in Zhongjia Natural Village, Geshang, Wuyang Town. The archway faces south, covers an area of about 4 square meters, and stands in front of an open space, with modern buildings constructed later on both sides.

The Lion Gate Stone Archway at the Ancestral Hall was originally the main gate of the ancestral hall of the local Zhong family during the Ming Dynasty. Later, other structures of the ancestral hall were destroyed, leaving only the current stone-carved gate archway and the stone lions on both sides.

On the upper part of the left pillar head of the ancestral hall’s main gate is carved a hexagonal pattern (the right pillar has been lost). The gate archway has three tiers: the first tier features symmetrical bas-reliefs of cloud-and-dragon motifs on both sides, with a fireball in the center; the second tier has the characters “Lion Gate Ancestral Hall” inscribed in running script in the center, flanked by floral patterns and stylized “wan” (萬) character designs; the third tier is adorned with bas-reliefs of cloud-thunder and dragon motifs. Although the stone gate is partially damaged, the surviving carvings are exquisitely crafted and all original Ming Dynasty stone carvings, making them highly valuable for preservation.

On the left side of the stone gate, two pillars and the lintel between them are partially missing, with many sections repaired using modern materials, but the overall structure still retains much of the original Ming Dynasty craftsmanship.

On January 10, 2005, the People’s Government of Nanchang County designated it as a Cultural Relic Protection Unit in the fourth batch of Nanchang County Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Wuyang Town: Located on the east bank of a tributary of the Fu River, Wuyang Town is 20 kilometers from Nanchang City, the provincial capital, and 8 kilometers from Liantang Town, the county seat. It currently governs 16 village committees and 2 neighborhood committees, with a population of 51,000, covering a total area of 63 square kilometers, including 48,000 mu of arable land. The average elevation is 28 meters, the annual average temperature is 17.5°C, there is ample rainfall, and the climate is pleasant, offering superior natural conditions.

Wuyang has a long history and is a place of outstanding people and spirits. Since the Tang Dynasty, when Wei Dan, the Duke of Wuyang Commandery, established a free ferry here on the Fu River, stipulating that travelers would not be charged for crossing, the local people, grateful for his kindness, named the ferry the “Wuyang” Ferry... More information about Wuyang Town++