Yishi Minister Arch

Lying at the heart of Longchuan Village, the Yishi Minister Arch, built in 1562, is a masterpiece of Hui-style stone carving.

In imperial China, this type of arch was erected as a means for the emperor to formally honor virtuous officials, in this case Hu Fu, Finance Minister and Hu Zongxian, Minister of National Defense. While the Yishi Minister Arch is 400 years old, its engravings are extraordinarily exquisite and well-preserved. One of the most notable engravings, at the top of the arch, shows two dragons playing with a pearl, a metaphor suggesting that the two ministers have extraordinary talents. In the middle of the arch, there is an engraving celebrating Hu Zongxian’s victory over invading pirates. On July 3, 1986, the arch was declared an important provincial-level relic and placed under state protection.

Yishi Minister Arch