The Tangyue Memorial Archways (棠樾牌坊群) in Tangyue Village are one of the most famous attractions in Shexian County. They serve as a family monument erected by a Huizhou merchant family over a span of 400 years. The seven archways are arranged in a sequence that emphasizes the themes of loyalty, filial piety, integrity, and righteousness. Each archway has its own touching story intertwined with emotion, creating a spectacular sight. The intricate structures and stone carvings are also worth careful appreciation. In April, the fields along the roads bloom with rapeseed flowers, enhancing the beauty of the archways. When Emperor Qianlong traveled to the south, he greatly praised the owner of the archways, the Bao family, calling it “unparalleled in filial piety, the finest in the southern Jiangnan region.”
The Tangyue Memorial Archways are representative works of architectural art from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Despite being constructed over several centuries, the architectural styles of each archway blend seamlessly together. Unlike previous structures primarily made of wood, the Tangyue archways are predominantly built from high-quality “Shexian green” stone. These stone archways are solid and tall, constructed without nails or rivets; the stones are cleverly interlocked, allowing them to withstand the test of time for centuries.
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- Seven Stone Archways
- Ancient Buildings near the Archways
- Vlog about Tangyue Memorial Archways
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 1 – 2 hours |
| Ticket Price | 100 RMB |
| Opening Hours | 7.30 – 17.30 |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0559-6750225 0086-0559-6751878 |
Location and Transportation
The Tangyue Memorial Archways are located in Tangyue Village, situated in Zhengcun Town, She County, Huangshan City, Anhui Province, China. To reach the site from the urban area of She County, you can take Bus Line 2, which will take you directly to the scenic area.
If you are traveling from Tunxi, you can first take a short-distance bus to Zhengcun Intersection. From there, transfer to Bus Line 2 for a direct route to the archways. The total journey is convenient and allows visitors to enjoy the scenic landscapes along the way.
Seven Stone Archways
Baocan Filial Piety Archway (鲍灿孝行坊)
The Baocan Filial Piety Archway is designed in the style of a curled grass pattern with four columns and three openings. It measures 9.54 meters wide, 3.54 meters deep, and stands 8.86 meters high. The archway features a “dragon and phoenix board” inscribed with the words “圣旨 Imperial Edict” under its eaves. On either side of the main beam, there are two pairs of relief sculptures of lions. The plaque above reads, “In honor of the filial conduct of Baocan, granted the title of Right Assistant Minister of the Ministry of War.”
According to the History of Shexian County, Baocan was well-educated and did not seek official positions. When his mother suffered from severe foot sores that resisted treatment for many years, Baocan cared for her by sucking the blood and pus from her wounds until she eventually recovered. His devotedness moved the local community, leading them to petition for the construction of this archway in his honor. Furthermore, Baocan’s emphasis on education for his descendants earned him the imperial title, and an archway was erected for his grandfather. His great-grandson, Baoxiangxian, became the Minister of Works, prompting the emperor to bestow the title of Left Assistant Minister of the Ministry of War upon Baocan.
Cixiaoli Archway (慈孝里坊)
The Cixiaoli Archway features a curled grass pattern with four columns and three openings, measuring 8.57 meters wide, 2.53 meters deep, and 9.6 meters high. It is inscribed with the words “御制 Imperial Composition” and “慈寺里 Cixiaoli” in honor of the Song Dynasty scholar Baoyuyan and his son Baoshouxun. This archway was built following an imperial decree.
Historical records state that during the Yuan Dynasty, the local governor Li Da led a rebellion, causing destruction and chaos. The Baoyue father and son were captured by the rebel troops, who forced them to decide which one would be killed. In a remarkable display of devotion, the father and son argued over who should die for the other’s survival, which moved even the ruthless rebels to spare their lives. Later, the court decided to honor their bravery by constructing this archway. It also bears a poem by Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty that reflects on filial piety: “When a father faces danger and theft, life and death hang by a thread. … The Baoyue family is full of benevolence and filial piety, leaving a legacy that shines through the ages.”
When Emperor Qianlong learned of this story during his southern tour, he wrote the couplet, “Unparalleled in filial piety, the finest in the southern Jiangnan region,” and allocated funds to renovate the Cixiaoli Archway, even inscribing an imperial couplet on it. It is quite rare in Chinese history for a single archway to receive accolades from multiple emperors.
Shizhen Quanshao Archway (矢贞全孝坊)
The Shizhen Quanshao Archway, dedicated to the wife of Bao Wenling, Wang, features the inscriptions “矢贞全孝 Shizhen Quanshao” and “立节完孤 Lijie Wanggu.” Its structure is similar to that of the Leshan Haoshi Archway. According to local records, Jiang, a resident of Tangyue, became a widow at the age of 26 and upheld her chastity while raising her son, who became a renowned doctor in Shexian. In a patrilineal society, a widow’s fidelity and her dedication to nurturing her descendants are regarded as the highest forms of filial piety, as family lineage is maintained through blood ties. Therefore, when Jiang turned 80, the clan honored her with this archway, symbolizing her virtues.
Leshan Haoshi Archway (乐善好施坊)
The Leshan Haoshi Archway features a soaring pillar design, with four columns and three openings, measuring 11.82 meters wide, 2.85 meters deep, and standing 11.70 meters high. The columns lack decorative patterns, but the eaves and the connecting beams are intricately carved with floral designs, while the main beam features delicately sculpted patterns. The robust beams and columns are finely polished without additional ornamentation.
This archway was erected to honor Bao Shufang, a prominent salt merchant, and his son Bao Jun, who were both recognized for their benevolent actions. In the eighth year of the Jiaqing era, Bao Shufang organized merchants to contribute to the taxes, earning him the title of salt transport commissioner. During a flood of Hongze Lake, he gathered public donations of 60,000 stone of rice, and during the floods of the Huaihe and Yellow Rivers, he donated 40,000 stone of wheat. He also funded the dredging of the Liutang River, contributed 3 million taels of silver, and donated 60,000 taels for the dredging of Mangdao Cave. He assisted in the construction of the Shahe Dam, donating 5,000 taels of silver, and engaged in various charitable acts, such as establishing ancestral halls, running schools, repairing roads, and helping those in need. However, he left no archway or monument to commemorate his benevolence, instead urging his son Bao Jun to uphold the family’s teachings and benefit their hometown. Moved by the charitable actions of Bao Shufang and his son, the local governor petitioned the court, which approved the construction of the Leshan Haoshi Archway in recognition of their virtuous deeds.
Jiejing Sandong Archway (节劲三冬坊)
The Jiejing Sandong Archway was built to honor Bao Wenyuan’s second wife, Wu, for her exemplary virtues of “节劲三冬 Jiejing Sandong” and “脉存一线 Mai Cun Yixian.” According to local records, Wu, originally from Jiading, married into the Tangyue family at the age of 22 and dedicated herself to caring for her sick sister-in-law day and night. After her husband passed away at 29, she maintained her chastity and loyalty, treating her late husband’s orphaned son, Yuanbiao, as her own child. She nurtured him with great care until he established his own family. In gratitude, Bao Yuanbiao became a renowned calligrapher during the Qing Dynasty. In her later years, Wu devoted her fortune to constructing tombs for her late husband and their ancestors, ensuring that even those without funds for burial were properly laid to rest. This “thick burial” was seen as a form of filial piety and deserving of praise. Wu also devoted herself to caring for her ailing mother-in-law until her passing.
Tianjian Jincheng Archway (天鉴精诚坊)
The Tianjian Jincheng Archway was built to honor the filial son Bao Fengchang, featuring the inscription “人钦真孝 Ren Qin Zhen Xiao” (True Filial Piety is Admired by All). The structure is similar to the Lexian Haoshi Archway. According to historical records, Bao Fengchang’s father went missing during the turmoil at the end of the Ming Dynasty. At just 14 years old, Fengchang set out on a long journey, begging along the way in search of his father. After a year, he finally found his ailing father at the ancient Yamen Temple in Gansu. He cared for his father, treating his wounds, and helped him return home. Upon returning, he found his mother gravely ill and in need of True Milk Fragrance from Fuchun Mountain in Zhejiang. After taking the medicine, she recovered, leading the clan to proclaim that his actions demonstrated “天鉴精诚 Tianjian Jincheng” (heavenly insight and sincere devotion) and that his filial piety had saved his parents.
Bao Xiangxian Minister Archway (鲍象贤尚书坊)
The Bao Xiangxian Minister Archway, known as the Ming Huan Silun Archway, is a four-column, three-bay structure featuring the inscription “官联台斗 Guan Lian Tai Dou” on its reverse side. This archway honors Bao Xiangxian for his meritorious service in Yunnan and Shandong. According to the local chronicles, Bao Xiangxian was a top scholar in the eighth year of the Jiajing era (1529) and initially served as an imperial censor, later becoming the Right Minister of War.
He made significant contributions while stationed at the Yunnan border, ensuring stability in the region. The local people expressed their gratitude by constructing a shrine in his honor. Despite his upright character and disdain for the powerful, which led to conflicts with corrupt officials, Bao Xiangxian maintained a steadfast commitment to his duties. His political career was marked by ups and downs due to these challenges. However, he remained dedicated to his country, adhering to the belief that “officials should not be concerned with their positions.” Only after his death was he posthumously elevated to the rank of Minister of Works.
Ancient Buildings near the Archways
Bao Family Garden (鲍家花园)
Bao Family Garden was originally the private garden of the renowned Hui merchant Bao Qiyun during the Qianlong and Jiaqing reigns of the Qing Dynasty. Covering an area of over 360 acres, this garden is a quintessential example of ancient Huizhou-style landscaping, harmoniously blending traditional Chinese garden aesthetics with Huizhou bonsai art. It ranks alongside famous gardens such as Suzhou’s Zhuozheng Garden, Liuyuan Garden, Shizilin Garden, and Wuxi’s Liyuan and Meiyuan gardens. Although it was destroyed during the Taiping Rebellion in the late Qing Dynasty, the garden has been meticulously restored and now stands as the largest private garden and bonsai viewing site in China.
Dunben Hall (敦本堂)
Dunben Hall, originally known as Wansigong Hall and commonly referred to as the Men’s Ancestral Hall, serves as the ancestral hall for the Bao family. Built during the Jiajing era of the Ming Dynasty (1522–1567), it was established by Bao Xiangxian, the Right Minister of War, upon his retirement. This hall commemorates the eighth-generation ancestor, Qingyun Gong, who was highly respected by the clan. By the early Jiaqing period of the Qing Dynasty, the hall had fallen into disrepair. The 24th-generation ancestor, Bao Zhidao, a salt merchant, along with his son, invested their personal wealth to renovate and expand the hall. Facing south, it features three courtyards and five bays, occupying over 750 square meters.
The entrance is marked by a magnificent five-phoenix pavilion, with enhancements such as a decorative stone wall and elaborate brick carvings. Completed in 1801, this ancestral hall showcases the grandeur of the Tangyue Bao clan and stands as a prime example of Qing Dynasty Huizhou architectural art, notable for its “fat beams and thin columns” design, where the columns are slender and tall, while the crossbeams are robust.
Qingyi Hall (清懿堂)
Qingyi Hall, commonly known as the Women’s Ancestral Hall, was established during the early Jiaqing period of the Qing Dynasty. Founded by Bao Qiyun, the 24th ancestor of the Bao family, this hall honors the sacrifices and contributions of the women of the Bao clan to the success of the Huizhou merchants. A prominent plaque reading “清懿堂” hangs centrally in the hall, crafted by the calligrapher Bao Zhen. Another plaque inscribed with “贞烈两全,” meaning “Virtuous and Chaste,” was penned by the renowned Qing Dynasty figure Zeng Guofan. The name “Qingyi” reflects the ideals of purity, loyalty, and virtuous conduct, celebrating the achievements and dedication of women in the family.
