Shanxian Memorial Archway Ancient City Scenic Area

Shanxian Memorial Archway Ancient City Scenic Area

The Shanxian Memorial Archway Ancient City Scenic Area is a national AAA-level tourist attraction.

Introduction to Attractions in the Memorial Archway Ancient City Scenic Area

Zhu Family Courtyard

The Zhu Family Courtyard was first built in the 5th year of the Jiajing reign during the Ming Dynasty (1526), boasting a history of 488 years. At its peak, the courtyard covered an area of over 100 acres, with more than 20 courtyards and over 500 rooms, making it one of the grandest estates in Shanxian at the time. However, due to war damage and other reasons, only two courtyards remain today, collectively known as the Zhu Family Courtyard. It is a typical residential courtyard in northern China. The Zhu Family Courtyard is now a provincial-level cultural heritage site. In 2011, the courtyard was converted into the Shanxian Folk Museum. The museum showcases traditional folk customs and daily life scenes from southwestern Shandong through a large collection of photographs, artifacts, and sculptures.

Huaxi Revolutionary History Memorial Hall of the Pingyuan Province

The main structure of the Huaxi Revolutionary History Memorial Hall of the Pingyuan Province is the Huaxi Auditorium, which was built in the spring of 1950. It is 42 meters long from north to south and 18 meters wide from east to west, with a floor area of 756 square meters. It was the largest building in the Huaxi region after the founding of the People’s Republic of China and served as a key venue for political gatherings. Above the main entrance is an inscription by Chairman Mao Zedong, specially written to honor the people of the revolutionary base areas: “Carry forward the revolutionary tradition and strive for greater glory.” Below that, the seven large characters “Huaxi People’s Assembly Hall” were inscribed by the renowned calligrapher Zhang Luquan, who had served as Secretary to Premier Zhou Enlai from 1945 to 1948 and later became the Party Committee Secretary of the Palace Museum. In 2010, the Shanxian County Party Committee and government used physical objects, texts, sculptures, photos, and audiovisual materials to recreate the magnificent revolutionary struggle history of the Huaxi District of the Pingyuan Province. It was named the Huaxi Revolutionary History Memorial Hall of the Pingyuan Province and opened to the public on July 1, 2011. The memorial serves as a base for red education.

Hundred Lions Memorial Archway

The Hundred Lions Memorial Archway is located on Archway Street in the North City Office of Shanxian. It earned its name from the over 100 exquisitely carved lions in various poses on its pillars. Commonly known as the “Zhang Family Archway,” it was commissioned in the 43rd year of the Qianlong reign during the Qing Dynasty (1778) to honor the wife of Zhang Bo, Madam Zhu. Built from blue stone, the archway features a combination of round carving, openwork carving, relief carving, and line engraving techniques throughout. It is a national key cultural relics protection unit.

Hundred Longevity Memorial Archway

The Hundred Longevity Memorial Archway is located on Archway Street in the North City Office of Shanxian. It got its name from the 100 differently styled “Longevity” characters carved in relief on the central panels of the front and back. Commonly known as the “Zhu Family Archway,” it was commissioned in the 30th year of the Qianlong reign during the Qing Dynasty (1765) to honor the concubine of Zhu Shuqi, Madam Kong, for her chastity and filial piety. Built from blue stone, the archway features a combination of round carving, openwork carving, relief carving, and line engraving techniques throughout. It is a national key cultural relics protection unit.

Shanxian Historical and Cultural Figures Relief Wall

The Shanxian Historical and Cultural Figures Relief Wall was completed in 2011. The wall is 63 meters long and 4.2 meters wide, featuring sculptures of 15 historical figures from Shanxian along with introductions to their life stories. It serves as a cultural scroll showcasing 400 years of Shanxian’s history.

Former Residence of Zhou Ziqi

The former residence of Zhou Ziqi is located north of Archway Square in the North City of Shanxian. It is a quadrangle courtyard with 11 rooms, reconstructed in 2011.

Zhou Ziqi (1871–1923), born on Archway Street in Shanxian, Shandong, was the founder of Tsinghua College (the predecessor of Tsinghua University). In 1922, he served as the Premier of the Beiyang Government and Minister of Education, and from June 2 to 11 of the same year, he also acted as the provisional President. He passed away in Beijing on September 12, 1923.

This building was where Zhou Ziqi lived in his childhood. The exhibits in the former residence showcase the complex and legendary life of Zhou Ziqi to visitors.

Goji King Tree

In the old town area of Shanxian, on the north side of Yamen West Street, inside a resident’s home, there stands an ancient goji tree. Most of its roots and trunk are inside the house, while the upper part of the trunk and the canopy extend outside. The tree is nearly 400 years old, currently standing over 3 meters tall with a trunk diameter of 0.4 meters and a canopy diameter of 2 meters. It blooms twice a year in spring and autumn, bears fruit in autumn, provides lush green shade in spring and summer, and is covered with bright blossoms when in bloom. In autumn, it yields abundant, unusually large fruits. Beside the tree stands a weathered stone tablet, erected in an unknown year, with the blurred characters “Imperial Edict” still faintly visible.