"Qiyi Xielao" Archway

The "Qiyi Xielao" Archway is located to the south of Chengguan Town. Built in the sixth year of the Daoguang reign (1826), it is a centenarian memorial archway erected to honor the couple Xiong Yongzuo and his wife for reaching 100 years of age together, living in harmony into old age, and having five generations under one roof. Oriented from north to south, the structure features four pillars, three bays, and three stories, constructed from white cotton stone. It stands approximately 10 meters tall and is about 13 meters wide. The southern face of the archway bears a horizontal inscription in intaglio relief using regular script, reading "Qiyi Xielao" (Living to 100 in Harmony), while the northern face similarly displays "Baishou Tongdeng" (Both Reaching 100). The archway has two pairs of couplets: on the southern side, “A hundred-year-old couple living in harmony; five generations of descendants gathered at their knees.” and “Five generations rejoice in wise planning—36,000 days lived, with both parents thriving; one household blessed with imperial favor—7,002 li traveled, as honors abound.” These were composed by Wen Ying, who concurrently served as the acting deputy commander of the Pingyuan Garrison, the deputy commander of the Songtao Garrison, and the hereditary commander. On the northern side: “The centenarian couple celebrates their long lives, honored by imperial edicts; the family prays for dual longevity, leisurely watching their children and grandchildren with walking sticks in hand.” This was authored by Sun Qiyin, who was promoted from the Pingyuan deputy commander to the Guangdong Nanshaoguan Commander. The base is square-shaped, topped with a stone-carved hip-and-gable roof. The carvings primarily feature high-relief techniques, depicting themes such as "The God of Longevity Riding a Crane," "The Queen Mother of the West on a Phoenix," "The Eight Immortals Paying Homage for Longevity," "The Goddess Magu Presenting Auspiciousness," "Dragons Playing in Water," "A Vermilion Phoenix Facing the Sun," "A Wild Deer Holding Ganoderma," "Pine and Crane in Springtime," "Fortune, Longevity and Blessings," "Longevity and Prosperity in Old Age," and "Good Fortune and Peace." It was destroyed in 1966.