Ancient Architectural Complex of Jingshi Pass

Ancient Architectural Complex of Jingshi Pass

The Ancient Architectural Complex of Jingshi Pass is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Ancient Architectural Complex of Jingshi Pass is located in Jingshi Pass Town, about 44 kilometers northwest of Xichuan County, Nanyang City, Henan Province. The town lies to the west of the Danjiang River and to the east of Monkey Mountain, at the junction of Henan, Hubei, and Shaanxi provinces. It occupies a strategically important location near a major dock on the Danjiang River waterway, serving as both a commercial hub and a military gateway.

The ancient town extends about 2.5 kilometers along the eastern bank of the Danjiang River. Over 700 buildings in the architectural style of the Qing Dynasty are distributed along the streets, with historic structures densely scattered in a well-arranged layout. At the southern end of the street stands a gatehouse, built with brick and stone in a two-tiered structure with a single arch spanning the street. It was constructed in 1914 and bears the three large characters “Jingshi Pass.” Inside the gatehouse is the Pinglang Palace, initially built in the early Qing Dynasty and subsequently renovated multiple times. Its name conveys the wish for calm waters and peaceful voyages. The palace faces west and covers an area of 460 square meters. It features a flush-gable roof style, with a three-tiered, multi-eaved bell and drum tower in each corner, all topped with glistening tiles and golden eaves. Steel forks stand atop the roofs, giving the structure a majestic yet delicate appearance. The upper hall enshrines a statue of General Yang Si and memorial plaques of generations of boatmen ancestors.

The Shanxi-Shaanxi Guild Hall is located on Middle Street. Originally built during the Ming Dynasty and later renovated in the Qing Dynasty, it served as a gathering place for wealthy merchants from Shanxi and Shaanxi. The guild hall faces west and covers 400 square meters. Along its central axis are, in sequence, the front hall, opera tower, drum tower, Chunqiu Pavilion, rolled shed, and rear hall. Most of the buildings feature hip-and-gable roofs with overhanging eaves, showcasing novel and unique designs, complex and distinctive structures, as well as abundant wood carvings and stone engravings. The intricate craftsmanship makes it the largest architectural complex in Jingshi Pass.

In addition, there are other historic sites such as the Yuwang Palace (also known as Jade Emperor Pavilion), Wanshou Palace, the Mosque, and the Mayin Bridge, most of which were built during the Qing Dynasty. These sites are elegant and simple, displaying a rich variety of styles. The Pinglang Palace, Yuwang Palace, Mosque, and Shanxi-Shaanxi Guild Hall have all been well preserved to this day.

In 1987, Jingshi Pass Town was designated as a Historical and Cultural Town of Henan Province. In June 2001, the Ancient Architectural Complex of Jingshi Pass was announced by the State Council as part of the fifth group of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Jingshi Pass Town: Located at the convergence of Henan, Hubei, and Shaanxi provinces, Jingshi Pass Town in Xichuan County is known as “One Step into Three Provinces” and “Jingshi Pass Where Roosters Crow Across Three Provinces.” The town administers 37 administrative villages, 296 villager groups, has a population of 54,000, and covers an area of 168 square kilometers, including a 6-square-kilometer town area with 26,500 residents. It has been recognized as a “Key Town of Henan Province,” a “Civilized Market Town of Henan Province,” one of the “Top Ten Famous Towns of Henan,” a “National Key Town,” and a “National Historical and Cultural Town.” In recent years, Jingshi Pass Town has adhered to the guidance of the important ideology of “—,” earnestly implemented the Party’s — and the Fourth and Fifth Plenary Sessions of the 16th Central Committee... More detailed information about Jingshi Pass Town ++

Further Reading:

· Second Batch of Cultural Relics Protection Units of Henan Province

· Fifth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units