Attractions

Located at the heart of Longchuan Village, the Yishi Minister Memorial Arch is a masterpiece of Hui-style stone carving. In ancient imperial times, such memorial arches were authorized by the imperial court to honor virtuous and meritorious officials for their outstanding achievements, upright governance and noble Confucian virtues of loyalty, filial piety, chastity and righteousness. The powerful inscriptions — “Yishi Shang Shu” on the front and “Yishi Gong Bao” on the back — were written by Wen Zhengming, a celebrated painter, calligrapher and scholar of the Ming Dynasty.

“Yishi Shang Shu”, meaning “Ministers of Distinction Across Generations”, commemorates two eminent Hu clan officials of the Ming Dynasty. Hu Fu, a successful candidate in the highest imperial examination in 1478, served as Minister of Revenue during the reign of Emperor Xianzong. Hu Zongxian, who passed the imperial examination in 1538, was later appointed Minister of War under Emperor Jiajing. Hu Fu was conferred the honorary title of Taizi Shaobao, while Hu Zongxian received the higher title of Taizi Taibao, both symbolic of guardianship over the crown prince.

Endowed with profound history and remarkable historical figures, Longchuan occupies a prominent place in Chinese history. For centuries, its outstanding natives have made remarkable contributions to Chinese civilization. The Hu clan’s spirit of solidarity and pursuit of harmonious coexistence with the outside world has influenced contemporaries and will continue to leave a lasting legacy in Chinese cultural heritage for generations to come.

Erected in 1562, the Yishi Minister Memorial Arch sits in the core area of Longchuan Village and represents the pinnacle of Hui-style stone carving art. Authorized by the imperial court, it was built to honor two virtuous ministers of the Hu clan: Hu Fu, Minister of Revenue, and Hu Zongxian, Minister of War. Having stood for over 400 years, the arch remains exceptionally well preserved with delicate relief carvings. The top design of two dragons playing with a pearl symbolizes the extraordinary talent and accomplishment of the two ministers. The middle panel depicts Hu Zongxian’s military victory over coastal pirates. On July 3, 1986, it was listed as a Provincial-level Cultural Relic Protection Unit.