Tangyue Memorial Archway
About 6.5 kilometers (4 miles) away from Shexian County, Huangshan, there is a historically famous archway clusters called Tangyue Memorial Archway. It is the extant biggest and completely well-preserved archways in Anhui Province.
Tangyue Memorial Archways, a complex made up of seven archways, were built by Bao family, a famous Hui business family that lived through during Ming (1368 - 1644) and Qing (1644 - 1911) Dynasties. It is the masterpiece of artistic architecture at that time.
Tangyue Memorial Archways are the embodiment of the moral ethics of Hui people. In feudal society, the memorial archways were established in honor of the higher officials who made great contribution to the country or the man with the virtues of being filial, loyal and faith. It was really a glory for a man to have the archway built for him.
Built at the entrance of Tangyue Village, the Seven Memorial Archways were arranged in the order of Zhong (loyalty to the court), Xiao (filial obedience), Jie (virginity kept for a husband) and Yi (faith to friends). Each arch was built in connection with a moving story and vividly revealed in one way or another moral value of the time.
Speaking of the archways, there is always a story that arouses our admirable feeling and sentimental complex. The Mashi Archway was built during the Jiajing period (1522 - 1566) of the Ming Dynasty. The characters of 'Imperial Decree' were embedded on the cornice. On both sides of the beam is a pair of empaistic male lions in majesty. It was built in compliment of Bao Can, a man with great filial piety. It is recorded that Bao Can's mother was ill on the feet. Having looked for the doctor for treatment for many years was proved to be of no use. The filial son Bao Can kept on serving his mother and sucking the pus and blood out of the bad feet until his mother got cured. It was his filial obedience that moved all his fellowmen. Besides, he was good at educating his children. His offspring made great contribution in safeguarding the country. Thus it was agreed by the emperor that a memorial archway was established so as to honor him.
The other archway that is worth mentioning is the Filial Piety Archway in memory of the Hui businessman Bao Shouxun and his son. According to the historic records, the two men were captured by the insurgent general Li Da, who wanted to kill one of them. When he asked them to decide who to die and who to survive, the father and his son both expressed their desire to be killed to save the other's life. It was so moved a scene that the rebel had no courage to do the execution and finally he released they two. Later, their story was spread far and wide. The emperor decreed to set up an archway to praise their bravery and self-sacrificial spirit.
By the side of the seven archways standing two ancient clan halls - one for men, called as Dun Ben Hall, which houses important historical records of the flourishing history of 'Hui Businessmen', and the other for women called as Qing Yi Hall, which was the first ancestral temple for women. It is of high value on the research of the feudal ethical codes and patriarchal norms.
Entrance Fee:
CNY 100 (including Bao Family Garden)
CNY 50 for kids between 1.1 - 1.4 m
kids under 1.1 m are free of charge
Opening Hours: 07:30 - 17:30
Transportation:
Take the buses from Tunxi District to Shexian County and get off at Zhengcun Village, and change to Bus No. 4 to Tangyue Memorial Archway.
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