Tangyue Memorial Archways


Tangyue Village is located near the southern foot of Huangshan Mountain is famous for its
memorial archways (gates). More than 250 arches were constructed here during the Ming (1368-
1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties. Over 80 of these magnificent arches are still in good
condition. The most notable are the Xuguo Stone Arch, and the set of seven Tangyue Memorial
Arches, which were listed as a Key National Culture Protection Unit by the Chinese government.

The Tanyue Memorial arches is a set of seven arches built by the Bao family of Shexian Town during
the Ming and Qing Dynasties. They are built along a curving road leading to Shexian Town.  The
Tangyue Memorial Archway Group is composed of 7 arches. The seven arches represent the moral
yardstick set by the family for their descendents to live by: loyalty, filial piety, moral integrity, and
righteousness.

Three of the seven arches were built during the Ming Dynasty, and the remaining Four were built during the Qing Dynasty. The oldest arch was
built during the reign of the Yongle Emperor (Reign 1402–1424). Although they have a long history, the style of architecture is a successful
combination of old and new, which seems a piece of works finished at a heat.

The Tangyue Memorial Archway Group is all made of green stones which are of good quality and produced in Shexian County. Don't use any nail
or rivet at all. The skillful combinations between stones are astonishing. In addition, there are a large number of beautiful carvings in Hui style
around the body of the arches.

Near the complex of the seven archways stand Nuci and Nanci, respectively also called Qingyi Ancestral
Temple and Dunben Ancestral Temple. The ancestral temple was a place to worship the honorable
women and men in the family of Baos. Nuci is particularly significant in studying the patriarchal clan
system, because in China's feudal society, it was rare for women to have the privilege to be honored in
an ancestral temple.