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 stone archway is a unique architectural form in China. They were built from many different materials including: wood, stone, and glazed tile. Each arch is built without the use of fasteners. They were ingeniously built using a mortise and tendon system, and were held together for centuries simply by their massive weight. They were usually erected at the entrance to a town, or a street. They were designed as the embodiment of moral standards. They were built to honor individuals who made great contributions to the dynasty, or were considered role models. The design and construction of each arch had to follow a rigid hierarchy. The number of pillars that supported the arch, the words, and designs carved into them were closely associated with the status of the person honored.
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