The Ji Gong Hao Yi Archway

The Ji Gong Hao Yi Archway

The Ji Gong Hao Yi Archway is a cultural relic protection unit of Chaozhou City.

The Ji Gong Hao Yi Archway is located by Tangdong Bridge in Caitang Town, Chao’an County. It was built in the 17th year of the Guangxu reign during the Qing Dynasty (1891) by Shen Xuequan, the grandfather of Shen Shaoyuan, an official of the Ministry of Revenue who held a second-rank hereditary title, along with his wife, Shen Zhuangshi, also a second-rank titled lady. The structure is a four-pillared, three-bay, three-story stone archway, approximately 6.8 meters wide and 8 meters tall. Both the front and back of the archway’s lintel are inscribed with the four characters “Ji Gong Hao Yi” (Urgently Charitable and Righteous). The inner pillar couplet on the front reads: “A charitable act comforts the ancestral hall; the inscribed plaque commemorates merit, shining brilliantly in the imperial canon. Your virtue spreads across the region, saving lives in disasters, bringing grace to the poor.” It was written by Li Hongzhang, Viceroy of Zhili. The outer couplet reads: “Concerned for those suffering hunger and drowning, you emulate the sage in giving widely to aid all; the common people cherish your virtue, praying the benevolent receive boundless recompense.” It was written by Zeng Jize, Marquis of Yi Yong. The inner pillar couplet on the back reads: “The archway stands as reward for merit, promoting kindness and virtue, its glory in eastern Guangdong; the plaque honors charity, aiding righteousness and supporting the imperial court.” It was inscribed by Zhang Zhidong, Viceroy of Liangguang. The outer couplet reads: “The archway exemplifies virtue, its incense of gratitude enduring; the plaque proclaims righteousness, the household’s brilliance spreading benevolence.” It was inscribed by Kun Gang, Minister of Rites, Supervisor of the Three Treasury Bureaus of the Ministry of Revenue, and a member of the Imperial Clan. The entire archway features exquisitely fine carvings and remains well-preserved to this day.

During the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty, Shen Shaoyuan, an official of the Ministry of Revenue with the rank of Huaying Wailang, donated 1,200 cotton-padded garments to disaster victims in Zhili. He also recounted how his late grandfather, Shen Xuequan, a holder of a second-rank hereditary title, and his late grandmother, Shen Zhuangshi, a second-rank titled lady, had always prioritized aiding the poor and disaster relief, instructing their descendants to uphold this family tradition and do their utmost to help in times of famine or calamity. To commend their virtuous deeds, Li Hongzhang, Viceroy of Zhili, petitioned Emperor Guangxu, requesting approval for Shen Shaoyuan to build an archway in his ancestral hometown in honor of his grandparents, and to bestow the inscription “Ji Gong Hao Yi.”

In 1987, the Chaozhou Municipal People’s Government designated it as a cultural relic protection unit.

Huadong Village: Huadong Village

Also known as Tangdong. Located 3.2 kilometers north of Anbu, the county seat of Chao’an, and 2.5 kilometers southeast of the government seat of Caitang Town. It is under the jurisdiction of Caitang Town, with a population of 1,214. During the late Song and early Yuan dynasties, the Shen family migrated here from Fujian. The village is situated east of Caitang, hence originally called Tangdong, later renamed Huadong. The settlement is distributed in a block pattern, with buildings mainly being single-story structures of lime-shell brick and wood. It has 385 acres of arable land, primarily growing rice. There are three village-run enterprises and four private enterprises, mainly traditional lime kilns and plastic products. The village has one primary school and one kindergarten. To the east of the village stands the “Ji Gong Hao Yi” Archway, a municipal-level important... Huadong Village detailed information++