Taiheyan Memorial Archway

Taiheyan Memorial Archway

The Taiheyan Memorial Archway is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Taiheyan Memorial Archway is located in Beixinwu Village, approximately 20 kilometers northeast of Jiexiu City, Shanxi Province. It was constructed in the 23rd year of the Guangxu reign during the Qing Dynasty (1897). Due to its entire structure being adorned with exquisitely crafted and magnificent glazed ornaments, it is locally known as the "Glazed Memorial Archway."

The Taiheyan Memorial Archway was originally the entrance gate in front of the Zhenwu Temple of the village. Facing south and covering an area of 27.7 square meters, it was built in the 23rd year of the Guangxu reign (1897) by the wealthy Jin merchant Ji Yihuo from Beixinwu Village when he restored seven temples in the village, constructing this new structure in front of the central axis mountain gate of the Zhenwu Temple. Although only the standalone archway remains today, we can imagine the grandeur of the original Zhenwu Temple. On the base of the middle western pillar is an inscription reading “Constructed and erected in the 23rd year of Guangxu (1897).”

This memorial archway features a four-pillar, three-story, hip-and-gable roof structure made of glazed brick and stone. It stands 8.5 meters high, is 9.65 meters long, and 1.55 meters wide. The base is rectangular, surrounded by eaves-pressing stones, with diagonal square bricks laid in the center. There are four steps at the front eaves, and a pair of carved stone lions flank the side drapery areas. The pillar bases are made of stone Sumeru pedestals, with carved corner beasts at the four corners of the plinth feet, connected in the middle by entwined floral petals. The entire structure is splendid, noble, solemn, and elegant, covered entirely with glazed ornaments. The colors are vivid, the shapes vividly crafted, and various techniques are employed, including line carving imitation, high relief imitation, openwork carving, along with substantial use of painting techniques. None of the patterns are alike. The roof is a single-eave hip-and-gable style, paved with yellow and green glazed ridge tiles and mythical animal ornaments. In the middle of the main ridge is an inscription that reads: “Spring is the start of the year, plum blossoms outshine all flowers; our family’s fame spans ages old, filial piety and joy renew.” The tops of the pillars and their bases are adorned with glazed carvings of various flowers, scroll dragons, longevity mountains, auspicious beasts, and the Eight Trigrams. The tops of the pillars feature imitation wooden pupei lintels and architraves, adorned with finely crafted glazed patterns of diverse themes. The middle sections of the pillars are fitted with glazed spandrels, while the central bay features carvings of two dragons playing with a pearl and bats, with beams supporting a glazed plaque inscribed with “Purple Pole Shines Radiantly.” The reverse side bears a horizontal plaque inscribed with “Heaven’s Pivot True Ruler.” The secondary towers have different patterns on the north and south sides—the southern side features mainly antiquities and the Eight Treasures, while the northern side is carved with scroll dragons and the character for longevity. The pillars on the sides of the secondary bays also feature different glazed patterns: the western side depicts auspicious beasts and trees, while the eastern side shows coiling dragons and carp.

The main tower’s bracket sets are one-jump, five-coupon imitation-wooden glazed bracket sets; the secondary tower’s bracket sets are one-jump, three-coupon imitation-wooden glazed bracket sets. Both the main and secondary towers feature glazed plaques within their bracket sets. Below the eaves of the main tower is a nameplate inscribed with “Taiheyan.” The southern face of the secondary tower reads “Supreme Tao” and “Gateway to All Wonders”; the northern face reads “Remove Worldly Obstacles” and “Connect to True Origin.” The spandrel panels are carved with floral designs, and imitation-wooden glazed purlins are adorned with wooden rafters, all decorated with glazed elements.

In May 2006, the Taiheyan Memorial Archway, as a historical building from the Qing Dynasty, was approved by the State Council to be included in the sixth batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Attraction Location

Beixinwu Village, Yi’an Town, Jiexiu City, Shanxi Province

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units