The Stone Epic of Ethics: Longchang Stone Archways and the Corridor of History

The "Capital of Stone Archways" in China

1.Located in the city of: Longchang, Neijiang, Sichuan Province, the Longchang Stone Archways (Longchang Shipaifang) stand as a monumental testament to Chinese feudal ethics and architectural mastery. Situated approximately 50 kilometers from Neijiang and 180 kilometers from Chengdu, this National 4A Tourist Attraction comprises a magnificent cluster of stone structures distributed primarily across the North Guan (Beiguan) and South Guan (Nanguan) areas of the ancient city. With an altitude of about 350 meters, the site is celebrated as the "Hometown of Chinese Stone Archways" and a "Living Fossil of Ethics in Southern Sichuan." It boasts the largest scale, best preservation, and highest artistic value of any stone archway group in China. The core collection includes 17 archways listed as National Key Cultural Relics and 4 as provincial relics, with a total of over 100 archways scattered throughout the region. These silent stone sentinels do not merely stand as ruins; they are embedded within the fabric of the old streets, where daily life flows around them, creating a unique "Archway Corridor" that transports visitors back to the Ming and Qing dynasties,.

2.A Tale of Two Guans: Governance and Virtue

3.The layout of the Longchang Stone: Archways is distinctively divided into the North Guan and South Guan. The North Guan is renowned for its grand "Virtue and Governance" archways. Here, the structures are imposing, featuring four pillars and five bays, dedicated to honoring officials for their benevolent rule and military achievements. Notable examples include the "Jiezhi Sanchuan" (Controlling Three Rivers) Archway and the "Grand Secretary" (Daxueshi) Archway. These monuments reflect the political aspirations and the "meritorious service" values of the era. In contrast, the South Guan is the domain of "Filial Piety and Chastity." The archways here are more delicate, often with three bays and four pillars, telling poignant stories of loyal sons and chaste women, such as the "Guo's Filial Piety Archway" and "Yu's Chastity Archway." This dual layout offers a comprehensive view of the Confucian moral code that governed ancient Chinese society—Loyalty, Filial Piety, Integrity, and Justice,.

Masterpieces of Stone Carving Art

4.Constructed primarily during the Ming and: Qing dynasties, with a peak in the Daoguang and Guangxu periods, the archways are masterpieces of the Southern Sichuan stone carving tradition. The artisans utilized the local "bluestone" (a type of sandstone) to create intricate bas-reliefs, high-reliefs, and openwork carvings. The beams and columns are adorned with vivid depictions of dragons, phoenixes, kylins (mythical beasts), flowers, birds, and figures from folk tales. The craftsmanship is so exquisite that the stone figures seem ready to step out of the pillars, and the floral patterns appear to sway in the breeze. The "Chastity Archways" in the South Guan are particularly noted for their detailed "Ladies" carvings and realistic flora and fauna, showcasing a softness and refinement rarely seen in stone architecture. These carvings are not just decoration; they are historical records, with inscriptions penned by scholars and officials of the time, documenting the rise of local families and the region's cultural prosperity,.

A Living Museum of the Ancient Tea Horse Road

Longchang has historically been a vital transportation hub, known as the "Longqiao Post Station," serving as a key node on the Ancient Tea Horse Road and a branch of the Southern Silk Road. The influx of immigrants during the "Huguang Fills Sichuan" movement in the Ming Dynasty brought diverse cultural influences, which blended with local traditions to foster a booming economy and a strong emphasis on education and civil service exams. The archways stand on the ancient post roads where horse caravans once traveled, carrying salt, tea, and cloth between Sichuan, Yunnan, and Guizhou. Today, the archways are integrated into the bustling life of the old town. Visitors can sit in teahouses beneath the shadow of a centuries-old archway, sipping covered-bowl tea while listening to local elders recount the legends of the families honored by these stones. The area also preserves the intangible cultural heritage of Summer Cloth (Ramie) weaving and Blue Calico dyeing, adding a tactile layer to the historical experience. Whether capturing the play of light on ancient stone or exploring the bustling market streets, a visit to Longchang Stone Archways is an immersive journey into the soul of traditional Chinese society.