Among the existing 128 ancient memorial archways in Chongqing, over 30 of them are of virtue, chastity and filial piety and approved by the Emperor.

According to the Ba County Annuals Memorial Archway, by the end of Xuantong three years of Qing Dynasty (in 1911), “There are 119 memorial archways in Ba County.” Among them, four built for official and meritorious statesmen, sixty nine for virtue, Aand filial piety, four for longevity and five for high merits.”

According to the Ancient Relics department, among the existing 128 memorial archways in Chongqing, the majority are from the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The "stone memorial archway in Yunfeng Temple in Rongchang County" is the only one built in the Song Dynasty. 14 memorial archways were built in the Ming Dynasty, 109 in the Qing Dynasty and 4 in the Republic of China era. All are well-preserved and the larger-scales ones make up more than half of them. It can be seen that all the Chongqing ancient memorial archways are made of stone, with equal proportion from the overall look, and in an abrasive and rustic style. Most of these ancient memorial archways have been preserved properly until now.

Before relocation, the Renhe archway of virtue, chastity and filial piety was in Yubei Renhe Shuangqian Village; and now moved in Tiangongdian Park.

“The ancient memorial archways are divided into four categories: for those who performed deeds of merits and virtues; for faithful wives and heroic maidens who protected their chastity firmly and bravely; for those who got enrolled in the Imperial Exam, (normally the family built the memorial archway for them); or as a sign archway, mostly located at the entrance of the village or in the street serving as a separation”. Chongqing has more memorial archways for virtue, chastity and filial piety, temple and merits than other cities. There are more than 30 for virtue, chastity and filial piety.

Unlike the memorial archways for merits and temple, which might be built by local people, all the memorial archways were recommended by the local officials step by step and approved by the Emperor. That’s why you can see “Imperial edict”, “Imperial commendation” or other inscriptions on a ordinary memorial archway of virtue, chastity and filial piety. (Translated by Li Xia, Fathom Language Limited)