Stone archways, also known as stone "pailou" were structures erected in feudal society to honor accomplishments, official achievements, virtues, as well as loyalty, filial piety, and moral integrity. These structures were often placed in gardens, streets, and in front of tombs. Of the 65 pailous from the Ming and Qing dynasties still preserved in Beijing, 17 are stone archways. Built from luxurious stone materials such as white marble and black jade, stone pailous were costlier to construct than wooden ones, making them less common.

There are various styles of stone pailous, with the most common being three-gate, three-story; three-gate, five-story; and three-gate, seven-story designs. Some feature two-gate, three-story or two-gate, five-story structures, and there are rare instances of single-gate, single-story pailous. In addition to style, the carving techniques, such as low relief, deep relief, flat carving, openwork, round carving, and incised lines, reveal the artistic essence of stone carving. The choice of relief patterns reflects the location and purpose of each pailou, capturing the cultural nuances of different historical periods and the craftsmanship of the designers.

Let's explore a few of the most famous stone archways in the Beijing area.

Defend Peace Stone Archway - Witness to National Honor and Disgrace

Located just inside the south gate of Zhongshan Park, the "Defend Peace" stone archway features a four-pillar, three-story design with a blue glazed tile roof. The central inscription "Defend Peace," written by the famed poet Guo Moruo, is powerful and dignified. This archway has a unique historical background.

In the 26th year of the Guangxu Emperor (1900), the German Minister to China, Baron von Ketteler, was on his way to the Zongli Yamen (Office in charge of Foreign Affairs). As his sedan chair reached the west entrance of Xi Zongbu Hutong, a patrol from the Shenjiying (Imperial Guard) led by En Hai, a junior official, stopped them for inspection. However, von Ketteler fired a shot from inside the sedan chair. In self-defense, En Hai shot and killed von Ketteler. This incident became the pretext for the Eight-Nation Alliance's invasion of Beijing. In an attempt to appease the foreigners, the Qing government built a white marble arch, the "Ketteler Arch," at the site where von Ketteler was killed as an apology for the "Ketteler Incident," marking the end of the affair.

After Germany's defeat in World War I, the arch was dismantled and moved to the Central Park at that time (now known as Zhongshan Park), renamed the "Allied Justice Triumphal Arch" to signify the victory of justice over might, with the inscription "Justice Triumphs" on it. Later, it was renamed the "Defending Peace Arch".

Stone Archways at the Summer Palace - Three Iconic Archways

1. Xieqi Garden Zhiyu Bridge Stone Archway

At the head of the Zhiyu Bridge in Xieqi Garden stands a small stone archway, 2.57 meters high, in the style of a wǔdiàn (a type of ancient Chinese roof), with two columns and one pavilion, and six mythical creatures on the roof, making it the smallest stone archway in Beijing. Xieqi Garden was a favorite place of Emperor Qianlong. Here, he not only inscribed the bridge with "Zhiyu Bridge" but also wrote couplets that were engraved on the columns of the archway. The verses "Ducks and geese in flight, their hearts filled with joy," "Newly sprouted reeds and cattails, always at ease," "Moonlight ripples, the color of gold," and "Wind over rapids, the sound of water against stones," depict the scene of watching waterfowl flying over the water, the newly grown reeds on the shore, with a leisurely interest and a heart full of joy, seeing the lake shimmering with gold in the sunlight, and hearing the clear and melodious sound of water striking stones. On the crossbeams are engraved nine poems by Qianlong. Additionally, the archway is inscribed with imperial verses written on the theme of "Knowing or not knowing the happiness of fish." Qianlong's inscriptions and poems on the Zhiyu Bridge archway total 21, including one title, two couplets (4 locations), and 16 poems. Every poem he wrote about Zhiyu Bridge in his life is engraved on this stone archway.

2. Hua Zhong You Stone Archway

The stone archway in front of Hua Zhong You is petite and exquisite, facing north to south, standing at 3.19 meters tall, with a wǔdiàn roof and bluestone tiles, featuring chime-dragons and ridge-creatures. The archway is flanked by brick walls on both sides, with solid brick floral decorations at the center of the walls. The southern beam of the archway is inscribed with the phrase "Mountains and rivers reflect, overwhelming the beholder," and the couplets read "In the quietude of nature, one observes the movement of water" and "After the worldly heart subsides, one feels the coming of coolness." The northern beam is inscribed with "In my travels, I am delighted to have encountered such a wonder," and the couplets read "Idle clouds return to the peaks, casting darkness over the ridges" and "A falling waterfall hangs in the air, cooling the stones with its spray."

3. Wu Fang Ge Stone Archway

The Wu Fang Ge complex is centered around the Bao Yun Ge (commonly known as the Copper Pavilion), and to the north of the screen wall stands a four-column, three-gate stone archway, 3.83 meters in height. The upper beam features an Eight Immortals offering longevity painting, reflecting Qianlong's filial piety in celebrating his mother's birthday. The lower beam is adorned with three cloud patterns. The columns, beams, rafters, tiles, and brackets of the archway are all made of stone, imitating wood, and intricately carved on both sides with dense yet smooth dragon and cloud patterns. Both sides of the archway are inscribed with Qianlong's imperial calligraphy, including inscriptions and couplets, all selected from Qianlong's own poetry. The northern beam of the main gate is inscribed with "Side peaks and ridges all come to pay homage," and the couplets read "Tiaozha's mountains and rivers, Wu's garden paintings" and "Xiaoxiang's misty rain, the clouds of Chu's sky." The southern beam is inscribed with "Evening mists and morning mists always painting themselves," and the couplets are "Scenery far from dust all enters into verse" and "Objects contain profound truths, all worth seeking." The northern beam of the secondary gate, on the east side, is inscribed with "Heaven and Earth speak not of craftsmanship," and on the west side with "Rivers and rocks alone gather beauty," with the couplets "Many wrinkled peaks seem capable of change" and "Vast sky clouds, together they rise and fall." The southern beam is inscribed with "Mountain colors become distant with the heart" and "Spring sounds enter the eyes, cool," with the couplets "How much lofty sentiment speaks of distant traces" and "Boundless clear scenes please the secluded heart."

4. The Ming Tombs Stone Archway - The Largest in Beijing

The stone archway at the entrance of the Ming Tombs, also known as the Thirteen Tombs, is the largest stone archway in Beijing, with a total width of 28.86 meters and a height of 14 meters. It is a painted stone archway with six pillars, five intervals, and eleven gates. Constructed in the 19th year of the Jiajing reign (1540), it was ordered to be built by the Ming Emperor Zhu Houkun. Zhu Houkun, who ascended to the throne as the heir of the Xing King, spent a considerable amount of silver to embellish and expand the tombs of his ancestors on Tianshou Mountain to demonstrate his reverence for the divine and ancestors, showing his "filial piety."

In addition to its elaborate design and specifications, the location of this archway also holds profound significance. To the east, there is the Dragon Mountain extending front and back, and to the west, there is the Tiger Mountain stretching left and right, creating a connected formation of the dragon and tiger sand mountains on both sides of the tomb area. Especially with the archway facing the main peak of Tianshou Mountain to the north, it forms the beauty of "borrowed scenery" through "ingenious borrowing." On a clear day, standing in front of the archway, one can clearly see the majestic and towering presence of the main peak of Tianshou Mountain through the central gate of the archway.

This precious stone archway is made of massive blocks of white marble, adorned with exquisite stone carvings that are truly unparalleled. Its grandeur, majesty, and solemnity reflect the imposing presence of the Ming Dynasty's imperial tombs. On the sides of the archway, there are three-dimensional carvings of 12 vivid qilin and lions, while the lower reliefs lively depict the scenes of "two lions playing with a colorful ball" and "qilin presenting a child," embodying auspicious meanings of "longevity as vast as the heavens" at every turn.

5. Biyun Temple Stone Archway · Carved with Eight Ancient Figures

The stone archway of Biyun Temple, constructed during the Qianlong period, features a four-pillar, three-bay design with towering pillars. On both sides, there are four stone-carved screens, with the core panels of the screens depicting Buddha statues and stone lions. The archway's stone pillars are covered with cloud patterns, and the tops of the pillars are adorned with stone beasts. The drum stones between the pillars are exquisitely carved with a smooth and rounded design, considered the best among such stones in Beijing. The eaves and brackets at the top of the structure are all carved from a single block of white marble, with carving techniques and styles that harmoniously complement and enhance the Vajra Throne Pagoda.

Renowned writer Duanmu Hongliang wrote in his "Notes on Xiangshan Biyun Temple": "Heading from the main hall towards the rear, one encounters a stone archway, on which the carved qilin and the reliefs on the Iron Shadow Wall of Beihai are of the same lineage. On the back are carved the Eight Immortals crossing the sea, and on the front are carved eight ancient figures, with these eight ancient figures being the most noteworthy. They are: Di Renjie, Wen Tianxiang, Zhao Pizhi (Qian), Xie Xuan, Tao Yuanming, Zhuge Liang, Li Mi, and Lin Xiangru. Judging from the misspellings on the carvings, it can be determined that these were all carved according to the patterns passed down by the stone carvers themselves. This archway is not only remarkable for its lifelike figure carvings, but the entire white stone structure is filled with cloud patterns. Nestled among the greenery on the hillside, it truly appears as if it were made from the clouds of the mountain."