Longshi Memorial Archway in Chaling

Chaling Longshi Memorial Archway

The Chaling Longshi Memorial Archway is a cultural relic protection unit of Hunan Province.

The Longshi Memorial Archway is located in Huangshang Village, Zhitang Township, Chaling County. In the sixth year of the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty (1578), Long Qingyun, who once served as the magistrate of Long’an in Sichuan and retired, constructed this archway to honor his ancestor, Long Renfu, who held the title of Central Censorate Grand Master. From the Song to the Qing dynasties, four members of the Long family were conferred the title of “Central Censorate Grand Master.” The archway was later reconstructed in the sixth year of the Xianfeng era of the Qing Dynasty (1856). The Central Censorate Grand Master Archway holds sacred significance among the descendants of the Shi Long family; despite enduring wind and rain, it remains well-preserved and stands as one of the rare ancient archways in the province, showcasing pages of sealed history.

What distinguishes this memorial archway from others is that it is not supported by columns but by a stone arch-like base—an extremely rare design. The base consists of large rock blocks forming four piers, dividing the structure into three sections. The central gate is wider and square-shaped, while the sides feature smaller arched openings. The upper part of the archway is constructed from stone, with interlocking joints fitted seamlessly. With its unique form, exquisitely detailed stone carvings, it stands out as one of the finest ancient archways in the province. The archway is composed of a base and main structure, standing 12 meters tall and 11.5 meters wide at the base. The base and stone material are coarse in texture, while the stone plaques are fine-grained. The entire structure is solemn and dignified, with beautifully crafted and vivid carvings. The reliefs of figures, flowers, and birds are lifelike, and the carved patterns are intricately arranged with appropriate density, demonstrating exceptional craftsmanship. At the very top of the front side are engraved the two characters “Imperial Edict,” below which hangs a stone plaque inscribed with “Central Censorate Grand Master.”

The entire archway features nine figure reliefs and 33 openwork patterns. The ridge is adorned with a stone carving of the “Kuixing Pointing to the Dipper,” with six ornamental dragon-fish at the ridge corners and twelve fish-tail ornaments at the wing corners. All stone carvings are finely crafted and highly decorative. The depictions of stories from the “Three Kingdoms” period are particularly exquisite, with one slab featuring a maximum of 19 figures, all vividly rendered with diverse postures. The back of the archway mainly features geometric patterns, with the central gate lintel carved with motifs of books, swords, and a pair of phoenixes facing the rising sun. The openwork carvings of this archway are truly exceptional, giving the otherwise heavy stone structure a sense of lightness and elegance.

Further Reading:

· Ninth Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units in Hunan Province