Tangyue Memorial Archways

Introducing Tangyue Memorial Archways
Tangyue Memorial Archways are a magnificent ensemble of seven arches in Tangyue Village. Tangyue Memorial Archways are built during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1912) dynasties. These archways were erected to honor the loyalty, filial piety, chastity, and righteousness of the local prominent Bao family, renowned for these virtues and having produced numerous officials throughout generations. 

Built entirely of stone, these magnificent structures have endured for centuries thanks to their ingenious interlocking design. The earliest archway dates to 1420, the latest to 1820, yet all exhibit a remarkable consistency of style, inspiring awe in those who witness them. Arranged symmetrically along a central line, they evoke a sense of solemnity and enduring presence. Exquisite carvings, strategically placed at key visual points, demonstrate the exceptional skill of their creators.

Archways represent a traditional form of Chinese architecture imbued with cultural significance. They were often built with official permission, sometimes even by imperial decree, to commemorate meritorious deeds in feudal China. a highly prestigious honor for an individual and their family, ensuring their name and deeds would be remembered by posterity.

Tangyue Memorial Archways Fast Facts
• AKA: Tangyue Arch Group
• Chinese Name: Táng Yuè Pái Fāng Qún 棠樾牌坊群
• Best Time to Visit: March to April; October to November
• Recommended Visiting Hours: About 3 to 4 hours
• Things to Do: Photography, Architecture, Culture and History
• Opening Hours: 7:30 – 17:30
• Entrance Fee: CNY65, CNY100 (Bao Family Garden included)
• Address: Approx. 23 kilometers (14.3 miles) north of Huangshan, Anhui Province

What to Expect at the Tangyue Memorial Archways
Archways represent a traditional form of Chinese architecture imbued with cultural significance. Each of the Tangyue Memorial Archway whispers a compelling story of the Bao family’s glory and heritage. Passing beneath one of these magnificent arches would have been a powerful experience, a visceral reminder of the Bao family’s enduring contributions and the values they embodied.

The Filial Piety Archway for Bao Can
The Filial Piety Archway for Bao Can (鲍灿孝行坊), a three-arched, four-pillar structure with a scroll-patterned roof ridge, commemorates Bao Can’s filial piety. Built in 1552, It measures 9.54 meters (31.3 ft) wide and 8.86 meters (29.1 ft) high. Pairs of carved stone lions adorn both the front and back of the horizontal beam. Historical records tell of Bao Can, a learned scholar, who declined official positions to care for his ailing mother. She suffered from chronic leg ulcers resistant to years of medical treatment, and Bao Can devoted himself to her care, tirelessly dressing her ulcers daily with unwavering dedication.

The Cixiaoli Archway
The Cixiaoli Arch (慈孝里坊), erected in 1420, stands as a testament to the extraordinary filial piety of Bao Yuyan and his son, Bao Shouxun. During the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), they were captured by rebels and faced a terrible ultimatum: one could live only if the other was willing to die. In an incredible act of self-sacrifice, both father and son offered their own lives to save the other. This deeply moved the rebels, who, against all odds, released them both.

News of their selfless devotion reached the Ming imperial court, and Emperor Yongle (Reigned 1402 – 1424), deeply impressed, commissioned the archway in their honor, inscribing it with a poem he composed about filial piety. Generations later, during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912), Emperor Qianlong (Reigned 1735 – 1796) learned of their story while traveling south. He was so moved that he ordered the archway’s renovation and further honored the Baos by adding his own personally-written couplet. The fact that the Cixiaoli Archway received such high imperial recognition across two dynasties is a remarkable and rare testament to the enduring power of their story.

The Chastity Archway for the Wife of Bao Wenling
The Chastity Archway for the Wife of Bao Wenling (鲍文龄妻汪氏节孝坊) was erected in 1784 to commemorate the virtuous widow, Madam Wang. Local records indicate that after being widowed at the young age of 26, Madam Wang remained chaste and dedicated herself to raising her son, Bao Jicheng, who went on to become a renowned physician in She County.

In traditional Chinese society, a widow’s chastity and the successful upbringing of her offspring were considered paramount acts of filial piety, vital for preserving the family line. Thus, upon reaching the age of 80, Madam Wang’s clan petitioned for her to be honored with this archway, a lasting tribute to her exemplary life of devotion and perseverance.

The Benevolent Archway for Bao Shufang and Bao Jun
The Benevolent Archway for Bao Shufang and Bao Jun (乐善好施坊), constructed in 1820, features a simple design with carvings only on the arched brackets beneath the eaves. It honors Bao Shufang, a wealthy salt merchant, and his son, for their philanthropy. Bao Shufang generously aided victims of the Huai and Yellow River floods, including those affected by the Hongze Lake dike breach, and contributed significantly to his hometown through funding ancestral halls, schools, bridges, roads, and poverty relief. Though he passed away before its completion, the archway recognizes his good deeds, which his son continued.

The Chastity Archway for the Second Wife of Bao Wenyuan
Constructed in 1768, the Chastity Archway for the second wife of Bao Wenyuan (鲍文渊继妻吴氏节孝坊) commemorates Wu’s remarkable devotion and perseverance. Marrying Bao Wenyuan at 22, she immediately took on the responsibility of caring for her ailing sister-in-law, nursing her day and night. Tragically widowed at 29, Wu remained chaste and dedicated herself to raising her stepson, Bao Yuanbiao, as her own. In her later years, Wu used her personal wealth to renovate the ancestral tombs of her late husband’s family, going back nine generations. This act of providing elaborate burials was considered a form of filial piety towards ancestors and thus worthy of praise. Furthermore, Wu devotedly cared for her ailing mother-in-law until her death. This archway stands as a testament to Wu’s exceptional strength of character, encompassing loyalty, filial piety, and unwavering commitment to her husband’s family.

The Filial Piety Archway for Bao Fengchang
The Filial Piety Archway for Bao Fengchang (鲍逢昌孝子坊) was erected in 1797 to commemorate his remarkable devotion. Its architecture is identical to that of the Benevolent Archway for Bao Shufang and Bao Jun. Records indicate that during the turmoil at the end of the Ming Dynasty, Fengchang’s father left home and was missing for many years. In 1646, during the third year of the Shunzhi reign of the Qing Dynasty, 14-year-old Fengchang embarked on a journey of hundreds of miles to search for his father, begging for food along the way. He finally located his ailing father at the ancient Yanmen Temple in Gansu province. After nursing his father back to health, Fengchang supported him on the arduous journey back home. Upon returning, he discovered his mother was critically ill, requiring medicine from Fuchun Mountain in Zhejiang province. Despite the difficulties of long-distance travel in ancient China, Bao Fengchang persevered and brought back the medicine. His mother recovered after taking it.

The Archway for Bao Xiangxian
The Archway for Bao Xiangxian (鲍象贤尚书坊) commemorates his meritorious service as a governor in Yunnan and Shandong provinces. While stationed on the Yunnan frontier, he secured the border and brought peace to the region.

Bao’s upright character and disdain for the powerful often made him the target of slander by corrupt officials. This led to a tumultuous political career marked by both advancements and setbacks. Undeterred, he maintained his integrity, unconcerned with personal praise or condemnation. He continued to serve his country with unwavering loyalty. Only posthumously was he recognized and honored with the title of Minister of Works. The archway, built in 1622, commemorates his service (a position overseeing public works and infrastructure, equivalent to a combination of several modern cabinet positions).

Bao Family Garden
Nestled amongst the impressive collection of Tangyue Memorial Archways stands the Bao Family Garden, a testament to the Bao clan’s prominence and influence. More than just a beautiful landscape, the garden serves as a living embodiment of the family’s values, reflecting their appreciation for artistry, scholarship, and the principles of Confucianism. Its carefully cultivated spaces, featuring pavilions, ponds, and meticulously chosen flora, provided a serene environment for contemplation and study, fostering an atmosphere that nurtured generations of Bao family scholars and officials, including the esteemed Bao Xiangxian. The garden stands as a poignant reminder of the family’s enduring legacy and their contribution to the region’s cultural and intellectual landscape.

Dunben Hall (Ancestral Hall for Men)
Dunben Hall served as the ancestral hall for the male members of the Bao family. “Dunben,” meaning “honoring one’s roots,” underscores the importance of lineage and ancestral reverence. The entrance, featuring a phoenix-winged roof (Wufenglou), leads to a ceremonial gate adorned with ornate door knockers and a pair of drum-shaped stones flanking the steps. The grandeur of the architecture reflects the prominent status of the Bao family in Tangyue Village. Within the hall are preserved seventeen steles, bearing inscriptions of significant historical and cultural value, commemorating notable ancestors and family achievements.

Qingyi Hall (Ancestral Hall for Women)
In contrast to Dunben Hall, which honored the male lineage, Qingyi Hall, built during the Jiaqing reign (1796-1820) of the Qing Dynasty, commemorates the contributions and sacrifices of the women of the Bao family to the clan’s prosperity. “Qingyi” translates to “pure and virtuous,” praising the noble character of these women. While smaller than Dunben Hall, Qingyi Hall boasts intricate wood carvings throughout its interior. Its existence alongside Dunben Hall demonstrates the Bao family’s respect and esteem for its female members. This unusual pairing of halls reflects a broader recognition of women’s value within Huizhou culture, a departure from more traditional patriarchal structures.

How to Get to Tangyue Memorial Archways
• The Tangyue Memorial Archways are located approx. 23 kilometers (14.3 miles) north of Huangshan.
• Charter a car/bus from GGC to enjoy a hassle-free transfer to the Tangyue Memorial Archways.