Sichuan Ancient Town 170: Longchang - Stone Archways (South Gate, North Gate)

The Longchang stone archways, a group of stone-carved archways from the Qing Dynasty, are known as the crown of stone archways in China. There are currently 17 existing stone archways and 4 steles, distributed in the North Gate and South Gate areas of Longchang city, with 7 in the North Gate (Daoguanping) and 6 in the South Gate (Chunniuping), and another 4 spread across corresponding villages and towns. Stone archways can also be found in other provinces of China, but only the group in Longchang is presented on a large scale and categorized, with excellent construction craftsmanship, dignified shapes, fine carvings, good preservation, and profound implications. They are rare nationwide, fully reflecting the talent and artistic creativity of the ancient working people. From north to south, they are: Guo Chen's Archway of Filial Piety and Integrity, Yuwang Palace Gate Archway, Chu Yi An Liang Stele, Niu Shu De Zheng Archway, Filial Son General Archway, Liu Guang Di De Zheng Archway, Su Qing De Zheng Archway, Guo Yu Luan Merit Archway, Shu Cheng Shi Centenarian Archway, General Archway of Filial Piety and Integrity, Chu Bao An Liang Stele, Zheng Tong Ren He Stele, Li Ji Shou De Zheng Archway, Jue Luo Guo Huan De Zheng Archway, Guo Wang's Merit Archway, etc. The Longchang stone archways are numerous and relatively concentrated; they vary in type and architectural form; they honor multiple people, both men and women; they are made of stone imitating wood, robust and majestic; they are rich in cultural connotations. The Longchang stone archways encapsulate the profound essence of Chinese civilization, representing a masterpiece of Ming and Qing architecture that integrates the essence of philosophy, history, mathematics, mechanics, architecture, and cultural arts. They possess high and precious historical, artistic, and scientific value in cultural relics.