The Fine Archway of Nanhe

The Fine Archway of Nanhe

The Fine Archway of Nanhe is a cultural tourism attraction.

Archways were stone-carved structures in China’s feudal society built to honor virtues such as "loyalty, filial piety, chastity, and righteousness" as well as the meritorious deeds of high-ranking officials. The ancient city of Nanhe, with its long history and many virtuous officials, once had numerous archways standing. A folk rhyme went, “The walls of Shunde Prefecture are strong, but the archways of Nanhe are even more splendid.” According to the Qing Dynasty's *Nanhe County Annals*, there were originally 36 archways in Nanhe County. From the time after liberation until before the Cultural Revolution, seven well-preserved archways still stood in Nanhe County, mainly distributed along Fuqian Street (from West Gate Inner to South Gate Inner), namely: the Three Generations Palace Guardian Archway, erected for Li Qiyuan, Grand Tutor of the Heir Apparent and Minister of Revenue; the Grace of Three Generations Archway, erected for Li Ruozhuo, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Punishments; the Imperial Favor Spread Far and Wide Archway, erected for Zhu Jiaqing, Assistant Minister of the Ministry of War; the Golden Armorial Lineage Archway, erected for Zhu Shiwan, hereditary titular commander of the Imperial Bodyguard; the Pacification of Borderlands Archway, erected for Zhu Zhengse, Right Vice Censor-in-Chief; the Palace Gate Remonstrance Archway, erected for Li Ruozhuo, a Member of the Court of Ceremonial; and the Command Over Three Provinces Archway, erected for Li Ruozhuo, Right Censor-in-Chief and Governor of Xunyang.

These archways were all commissioned and built under imperial decree from the Ming Dynasty emperors, forming an ancient carving complex in the architectural style of the Ming era. Each one is tall, majestic, and imposing, entirely crafted from bluestone components connected with mortise and tenon joints to mimic wooden structures. Their main frames feature four pillars and three bays, with bracket sets, flying eaves, carved animal ridge ornaments, and decorative beams and lintels. The surfaces are covered in bas-reliefs of dragons, animals, figures, flowers, birds, landscapes, and more—masterpieces that integrate architecture, calligraphy, and sculpture. They fully demonstrate the ingenuity of the Chinese working people and are treasures in the artistic heritage of the Chinese nation.