
The Chastity Archway for Zhou Wang's wife, Liu, is located approximately 300 meters outside Dingguang Gate in Qingyan . It was built in 1869 , the eighth year of the Tongzhi reign of the Qing Dynasty . It is said to have been erected to honor Zhou Wang's loyal wife, Wang, and his daughter-in-law, Liu, for raising and educating their descendants.
The stone archway is a four-pillar, three-room, three-story, four-arched structure, approximately 9.5 meters high and 9 meters wide, facing south and back to the north. The four pillars are guarded by cloud-drum columns on the north and south sides, and are supported by rectangular column bases. The two middle pillars, on the south side, have couplets inscribed by Zeng Wenzhao, the magistrate of Zhili Prefecture and Shangshui County, Henan Province.
The central crossbeam of the Chastity Archway is inscribed with hollow carvings depicting " Two Dragons Fighting for Treasure " and " Five Dragons . " The carvings are exquisite, and a plaque with an imperial edict is embedded in the center. Countless women have passed under the Chastity Archway. Today, visitors to the archway may not know the price paid by the women who had their names engraved on it. People only admire the grandeur of the ancient archway.
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The Chastity Archway for Liu, Daughter-in-law of Zhou Wang, honors the loyalty and virtue of Liu, a model daughter-in-law in traditional Chinese culture. It represents Confucian values of filial piety, chastity, and family honor, and is a significant cultural and historical monument in Guiyang, Guizhou.
It is located in Guiyang city, Guizhou Province. Visitors can reach it by taxi, private car, or local bus. Walking is recommended within the site to explore the archway and surrounding areas.
The site is typically open from 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM. Spring and autumn offer the best weather for visiting.
The entrance fee is usually minimal or free. Tickets, if required, are purchased offline at the entrance; online options are limited.
Booking in advance is generally not necessary. For groups or special cultural events, a few days’ notice is recommended.
About 1–2 hours is sufficient to explore the archway, read inscriptions, and walk around the surrounding area.
Guided tours are occasionally available in Chinese; English guides are limited. Audio guides are generally not provided.
Begin at the entrance, approach the archway for detailed viewing, explore nearby plaques or monuments, and finish with a walk around the surrounding area.
Night visits and light shows are not typical. Special tours may be available during cultural festivals or heritage events.
The site is generally quiet. Weekdays are less crowded than weekends or public holidays.
The site is mostly walkable. Elderly and children can access most areas comfortably, but wheelchair accessibility may be limited due to uneven terrain.
Cash is preferred for small purchases; mobile payments like Alipay and WeChat Pay are widely accepted.
Local eateries near the site offer Guizhou cuisine and light refreshments.
Vegetarian options are generally available; halal and vegan options may be limited in the immediate area but available in Guiyang city.
Guiyang city offers a range of hotels, guesthouses, and inns close to the site for overnight stays.
Souvenirs include traditional Guizhou crafts, local embroidery, tea, and miniature replicas of the archway.
Return to central Guiyang by taxi or local bus. Private car or ride-hailing services are convenient for visiting additional nearby attractions.