Zheng Zhilong Archway

Zheng Zhilong Archway

Zheng Zhilong Archway is a cultural heritage site protected by Nan’ao County.

Zheng Zhilong Archway is located on Shiting Street in Shen’ao Town, Nan’ao County. It was built in the 16th year of the Chongzhen reign during the Ming Dynasty (1643) by Wan Bangjun, the magistrate of Raoping County, along with local officials and gentry from Raoping and Ao to commemorate Zheng Zhilong’s achievements. The archway is constructed of stone, featuring three bays, eight pillars, and five stories, standing 8 meters tall and spanning 10 meters. It is adorned with carvings of figures and animals, and stone plaques are inset between the beams. The uppermost plaque is inscribed with the four characters “Zheng Zhilong Archway.” The reverse side is inscribed with eight characters: “Jade Pass Stands Alone in Defense, Bronze Pillar Marks Eternal Glory.” The lowermost plaque reads: “Previously suppressed bandits in three provinces including Zhong Lingxiu, surrendered Red-haired foreign pirates, sea bandits Liu Xiang, Xiao Chaoqing, Li Kuiqi, Zhong Bin, and other military feats. Built in the Chongzhen Year of Guiwei.” The reverse side reads: “Commander Zheng Zhilong, Authorized by Imperial Decree, Appointed Acting General with Full Authority.” The original structure lacked a roof. On the third day of the first lunar month in 1918, a magnitude 7.25 earthquake struck Shen’ao, severely damaging the archway. Some stone beams and slabs were broken, and most of the stone joints were displaced, but the overall framework remained intact.

Zheng Zhilong was the father of Zheng Chenggong (Koxinga), hailing from Nan’an, Fujian. He initially started as a pirate at sea, later received an official title from the Ming Dynasty, rising to the rank of Tongzhi Dujiang (military commander). He fought against Dutch invaders and later supported Zhu Yujian, the Prince of Tang, as emperor, earning the title of Duke of Pingguo.

In 1981, the Nan’ao County People’s Government designated it as a cultural heritage protection site.

Shen’ao Town: Shen’ao Town was formed in December 2001 through the merger of the former Longdong Town and Shen’ao Town. It is the only mountainous agricultural town in Nan’ao County, comprising nine villages (residential areas) with a population of 9,124, covering a total area of 44.75 square kilometers.

From January to September 2003, the town’s rural credit cooperatives reported a total deposit balance of 9.55 million yuan, averaging over 1,000 yuan per person. There were 53 applications for new housing construction, with a total floor area of 7,065 square meters and an investment of approximately 4.6 million yuan. In the autumn of 2003, the full payment rate for primary and secondary school students reached 90%.

The town has available tidal flats suitable for aquaculture totaling 25,000… More detailed information about Shen’ao Town++