Along the 600-meter-long ancient post road in Longchang stand 17 Qing Dynasty memorial archways, the largest, most diverse, and best-preserved in the country, truly deserving the title of "Hometown of Chinese Stone Archways."
🗺️ I. Route (South → North, no backtracking)
🏘️ Nanguan Ancient Town (1.5 hours) Navigate to "Longchang Nanguan Stone Archway Ancient Town" by car, or take bus route 2. The 7 archways are: Jin Yongzhen Lock Archway, Guo Chenshi Chastity and Filial Piety Archway, Shude Kefeng Archway, Chastity and Filial Piety General Archway, Li Jishou Virtuous Governance Archway, Suqing Virtuous Governance Archway, and Liu Guangdi Virtuous Governance Archway.
📸 You can see 3-4 archways simultaneously along the ancient post road; look for the "Greedy Dog" stone carving in front of the Suqing Archway (a Qilin body looking back at the sun, symbolizing insatiable greed leading to nothing).
Transfer (30 minutes) A 30-minute walk, or a shared electric bike/taxi (5 yuan, 5 minutes) to Beiguan. 🏛️ Beiguan Scenic Area (1.5 hours)
Navigate to "Beiguan Stone Archway Scenic Area". 7 archways: Yuwang Palace Mountain Gate Archway (most intricately carved), Jueluo Guohuan Dezheng Archway, Niushu Mei Dezheng Archway, Baishou Archway (covered with the character "寿" (longevity),) Li Jishou Baishou Archway, Xiaozi Archway, Jiexiao Archway.
📸 At Yuwang Palace, touch the 500-year-old weathering marks; at Baishou Archway, play the "find the longevity character" game with children; 15 minutes at the museum to see models and tools.
📋 Guide to Parts Two and Three
· Look at the plaques: "Imperial Edict" > "Imperial Grace" > "Imperial Construction"—Longchang has all three.
· Look at the reliefs: mostly depicting theatrical stories (Twenty-Four Filial Exemplars, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, etc.).
· Look at the mythical beasts: find the unique "Greedy Dog" of Longchang.
🎤 III. Self-guided Tours
Scan the QR code for a guided tour; guided tours at the South Gate Visitor Center are 80 RMB/tour (limited to 6 people); or download the excerpt from "Remembering Nostalgia: Longchang Stone Archway" in advance.
🍜 IV. Recommended Meals
Lamb Soup: Dongwu Lamb Restaurant or Li Yangzi Lamb Soup; Sticky Rice Cakes: Beijie Piglet Cake; To Relieve Spicy Food: Li's Cold Rice Cake. Authentic Sichuan Cuisine: Leweiju Niufo Douhua (Steamed Pork Intestines, Tofu Pudding).
⚠️ V. Tips
Sunscreen/Rain Gear in the Outdoors; Wear Non-slip Shoes on the Slippery Stone Path; Public Restrooms are Available at the North and South Gate Entrances; If Time is Limited, Only Visit the North Gate (1.5 Hours); For Deeper Enthusiasts, Bring Binoculars to See the Carvings at Higher Levels.
🎮 VI. Nearby Attractions
Escape Rooms, Murder Mystery Games, KTV, Massage, Children's Playground, and Retro Game Center are all available.
💚 May you not only gain a great viewing experience but also remember the real and moving stories on the stones.