Tangyue Village

　　Tangyue Village, located in She County, Huangshan City, Anhui Province, is world-renowned for its memorial archway complex. The complex consists of seven archways arranged in the order of Loyalty, Filial Piety, Chastity, and Righteousness, facing each other. They were built during the Ming and Qing dynasties respectively, all built to honor the "Loyalty, Filial Piety, Chastity, and Righteousness" of the people of Tangyue. Next to the archway complex, there are also a men’s and a women’s ancestral hall, both of which feature grand architectural scale and exquisitely crafted brick, wood, and stone carvings. These have been recently restored to their original appearance. A Chinese Archway Museum is also being planned here. Tangyue Village is a village inhabited by the Bao family, whose generations have made a living through commerce.

　　Main Architectures:

　　Bao Can’s Filial Piety Archway

　　　　Built in the early years of the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty. The archway is inscribed with "Commendation for Filial Piety, Posthumously Awarded to Bao Can, Vice Minister of the Ministry of War." According to the She County Annals: Bao Can was well-read and broad-minded, but did not seek official positions. His mother suffered from a severe foot disease for many years, and despite seeking medical help, there was no improvement. Bao Can personally cared for his mother, sucking the pus and blood from her feet until she recovered. His filial act moved the local community, and after an imperial decree was requested, this archway was built. Because Bao Can’s great-grandson, Bao Xiangxian, later became the Minister of Works, Bao Can was posthumously awarded the title of Vice Minister of the Ministry of War.

　　The Archway of Parental and Filial Love

　　　　Built to commend the Song Dynasty recluse Bao Shayan and his son Bao Shousun. Historical records state that during the Yuan Dynasty, the military commander of She County, Li Da, led a rebellion, burning, killing, and looting. The father and son of the Bao family in Tangyue were captured by the rebel troops, who forced them to decide who would live and who would die—one of them had to be killed. Unexpectedly, the father and son competed to sacrifice themselves so the other could live, a moving act that moved even the rebels to spare them. Later, the imperial court commended them by commissioning this archway. Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty also composed a couplet for the Bao Family Ancestral Hall, which reads: “The most filial and compassionate place under heaven, the finest village in the picturesque south of the Yangtze.” There is also a poem by Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty, which says: “The father was captured by bandits and faced mortal danger, life and death hanging by a thread... The Bao parents embodied kindness and filial piety, leaving a legacy that shines through the ages.”

　　Wang Shi’s Chastity and Filial Piety Archway for Bao Wenling’s Wife

　　　　Built in the 49th year of the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty, the archway is inscribed with "Upholding Chastity and Completing Filial Duty" and "Maintaining Chastity and Raising an Orphan." According to the county annals, Madam Wang, a native of Tangyue, became a widow at the age of 25 and passed away at the age of 45, remaining chaste for 20 years.

　　The Archway of Charity and Public Good

　　　　Built in the 25th year of the Jiaqing reign of the Qing Dynasty. It is said that by then, the Bao family of Tangyue already had archways representing "Loyalty," "Filial Piety," and "Chastity," but lacked one symbolizing "Righteousness." When Bao Shufang of the Bao clan rose to become the Salt Transport Commissioner of Lianghuai, controlling the salt industry of the southern Yangtze region, he sought imperial permission to build a "Righteousness" archway to bring honor to his ancestors. He donated 100,000 dan of grain, 30,000 taels of silver, repaired an 800-li section of river embankments, and provided military stipends for three provinces. This act earned approval from the imperial court. As a result, another "Righteousness" archway, celebrating "charity and public good," was added at the entrance of Tangyue Village.