Five Generations Under One Roof Memorial Archway

Five Generations Under One Roof Memorial Archway

The Five Generations Under One Roof Memorial Archway is a cultural heritage site protected at the provincial level in Sichuan Province.

In Xiaojiao Village, Longmen Town, Fucheng District, there stands a Five Generations Under One Roof Memorial Archway—Zhang Zhongqi’s Five Generations Under One Roof Archway. Among the city’s memorials of this kind, it is the Qing Dynasty structure that has been best preserved and features the most refined carving craftsmanship, holding considerable artistic worth. Nowadays, this archway has become a unique cultural landmark within the local modern agricultural tourism and sightseeing area.

A Unique Cultural Symbol

Entering Xiaojiao Village, Longmen Town, Fucheng District from downtown Mianyang via the Mianjiang Highway, head toward the Hongju Lin Village Committee. After passing fields of greenhouses on both sides of the road and walking about 500 meters, Zhang Zhongqi’s Five Generations Under One Roof Archway comes into view.

Nestled among several large trees, the Zhang Zhongqi Archway is surrounded by what was once farmland—all now part of a modern agricultural tourism belt. Wooden fences enclose the archway, and when you stand beneath it and gaze from afar, you can almost feel as if you’ve stepped back through history.

Though weathered by nearly two centuries, the structure of the Zhang Zhongqi’s Five Generations Under One Roof Archway remains solid and imposing. Its relief and openwork carvings retain sharp lines, with only some localized erosion, damage, or moss cover due to the elements.

Locals explained that the archway stands on what was once part of the ancient Long’an Road—a historic path connecting old Mianzhou to old Long’an (now Pingwu). In the past, houses surrounded the spot, and the archway was tucked among residential buildings. Later, as Xiaojiao Village developed into a national agricultural tourism showcase and a national AA-level scenic area, surrounding houses were demolished. The village used the archway as a unique historical and cultural symbol to enhance the area's cultural significance, finally bringing this long-hidden relic into full public view.

Over the past two hundred years, the ancient archway has witnessed the bustling development along the old northbound trade route of Mianzhou. The once-active Long’an Ancient Road has faded into history, replaced by the modern Mianjiang Expressway. Within the ambiance of Xiaojiao Village’s modern agriculture-based tourism, the Zhang Zhongqi Five Generations Under One Roof Archway has also observed the rapid development and harmony of contemporary society. It has become a unique cultural emblem within the Xiaojiao Village scenic area. To protect this nearly 200-year-old relic, a small cultural plaza has been built around it, and next to the archway stands a stone tablet from the Jiaqing era titled “Ox King Sacrificial Field Stele.”

A Powerful Witness to Harmony

Zhang Zhongqi’s Five Generations Under One Roof Archway was erected along the ancient Long’an Road that connected Mianzhou to Long’an (Pingwu), originally intended to inspire admiration among passersby and promote family harmony and social concord. This archway was commissioned by the emperor of the time to honor the Zhang Zhongqi family for having five generations living together, thereby championing the virtues of domestic and societal harmony.

According to inscriptions on the archway, its construction began in the 7th year of the Daoguang reign during the Qing Dynasty, which corresponds to the year 1827. At that time, Zhang Zhongqi, a resident of Longmen Township, had reached the remarkable age of 103. His descendants numbered 115, all living in unity and mutual respect, and the community regarded them as exemplary figures. Local residents jointly petitioned the imperial court. With the emperor’s consent, funds were allocated, and the archway was constructed at the current site using locally quarried stone, allowing travelers to behold a shining example of harmony.

This reflects the importance placed by the imperial court at the time on respecting the elderly and fostering a harmonious community spirit. Additionally, the side panels of the archway are engraved with a biography of Zhang Zhongqi and the names of 115 descendants, showcasing the family’s flourishing lineage.

A Masterpiece of Carving Art

It is reported that among the stone archways in Mianyang, Zhang Zhongqi’s Five Generations Under One Roof Archway is the best-preserved, featuring exquisitely detailed motifs and representing one of the finest examples of Qing Dynasty stone carving artistry.

The Zhang Zhongqi Five Generations Under One Roof Archway faces north and stands nine meters tall and eight meters wide. It is a three-story, four-pillar, three-gate structure built in the traditional paifang (memorial archway) style. The entire edifice includes the top ornament (fasha), pillars, and base, all crafted from bluestone.

Despite centuries of exposure to the wind and rain, the structure remains intact, with clear lines in its reliefs and openwork. Some parts show erosion, wear, or damage, but the craftsmanship is still outstandingly refined. On the northern side of the upper lintel is an inscribed plaque reading “Imperial Edict,” while the southern side reads “Imperial Grace.” The first tier on both the northern and southern facades bears plaques reading “Five Generations Under One Roof.” The second tier displays carvings of the Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea and a royal birthday banquet with courtiers, respectively. Each pillar is flanked by carved drum-shaped supports depicting civil officials and attendants, with carved lions below, all in round sculpture. The drums themselves feature additional carvings such as Chang’e Flying to the Moon, Two Dragons Playing with a Pearl, musicians, and dancers, along with inscriptions reading “Heavenly Official Bestows Blessings.” Particularly notable is the carving of the Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea, whose vivid, lifelike figures exhibit exceptional artistic quality.

It is understood that, currently, only a few Five Generations Under One Roof Archways exist in the city—specifically in Yan Ting, Jiang You, and Longmen Town in Fucheng District—but Zhang Zhongqi’s retains the best structural condition and most outstanding craftsmanship, making it highly valuable artistically. In 1999, it was designated as a municipal-level cultural relics protection unit, and in 2012, its status was elevated to a provincial-level protected site.

Longevity is a universal aspiration, and harmony is the foundation of society. Although this archway is almost 200 years old, the family harmony it represents continues to offer important lessons for building a harmonious society today. (Text and photos by Zheng Jinrong)

Xiaojiao Village: Xiaojiao Village…… More details about Xiaojiao Village ++

Further reading:

· Eighth Batch of Sichuan Provincial Cultural Heritage Protection Units