The Tu Family Memorial Archway

The Tu Family Memorial Archway

The Tu Family Memorial Archway is a cultural relic protection unit of Sichuan Province.

The Tu Family Memorial Archway (also known as the Yulong Flower Memorial Archway or Yulong Filial Piety Memorial Archway) is located in Xinjiagou Village, Yulong Town, Yanting County, 21 kilometers east of the county seat and 1,000 meters from Yulong Town. It stands on the eastern bank of the Zijiang River, in a picturesque location surrounded by green mountains and clear waters, with a pleasant climate and an excellent setting.

Constructed in the fifth year of the Xianfeng era of the Qing Dynasty (1856 AD), the archway was built by Magistrate Chen Shaohui who petitioned the imperial court to honor the chaste widow Zhao Tushi. It was commissioned and constructed by Zhao Jincheng, the second son (and a scholar) of Zhao Tushi.

The memorial archway faces south and covers a land area of 400 square meters, with the structure itself occupying 122.64 square meters. It features a brick-and-stone imitation wood structure, a double-eave hip-and-gable roof, four pillars forming a three-bay layout. The entire structure is 8.8 meters high, 12.8 meters wide, and 0.62 meters thick. In front of and behind each of the four brick pillars are eight tall red sandstone drum stones (a total of eight), each 2.44 meters high and 0.36 meters thick, playing a crucial structural support role. The surface of the archway is adorned or inlaid with hundreds of ceramic and brick carvings. Each drum stone is crowned with ceramic carvings of lions descending a mountain, connected to the four square pillars. The three gateway arches have arched tops, and each beam is completely encrusted with carved patterns of ruyi flowers, plants, and theatrical reliefs depicting stories of the Twenty-Four Filial Exemplars. Each side of the archway also includes ten ceramic relief panels. The main structure features vertical inscribed brick plaques centrally mounted on both its northern and southern facades, inscribed in intaglio with the words “Imperial Decree Honoring Virtue.” These are surrounded by ceramic carvings of “Five Dragons Holding Up the Sage” as well as four civil-official guardians, presenting a majestic and imposing sight. The high arch pillars on both sides contain openwork high-relief carvings of “double dragons coiling around the pillars,” with dragons twisting and turning amid clouds, exuding a tremendous sense of power. Both the front and back of the central section feature inscribed horizontal plaque stones engraved in relief with the two large characters "Filial Piety." The side plaques on the front facade are inscribed respectively with “High Integrity” and “Firm Loyalty,” while those on the rear bear the words “Jade-like Purity” and “Crystal Clarity.”

The Tu Family Memorial Archway features over 200 overall ceramic carvings. The patterns are evenly arranged across the structure, using realistic styling and high-relief carving techniques. The craftsmanship is delicate, the knife work vigorous and masterful, and the sense of dimension strong. The carvings depict pavilions, clouds, water, mountains, trees, and human forms that are remarkably lifelike, vividly capturing both form and spirit. Their unique style and exceptional artistry are truly rare. The memorial archway holds significant artistic value and offers considerable scientific research merit for the study of Sichuan’s ceramic production techniques, decorative arts, and architectural craftsmanship.

In December 1986, the Yanting County People's Government designated it as a county-level cultural relic protection unit.

On June 1, 2007, the People's Government of Sichuan Province declared it a provincial-level cultural relic protection unit.

Protected area: extending 10 meters outward from the outer edge of the archway.

Construction control zone: extending 10 meters outward from the protected area.