Qiu Lianggong Mother's Memorial Arch | Kinmen Attraction

The Qiu Lianggong Mother's Memorial Arch was erected in the 17th year of the Jiaqing reign (1812) to honor the virtue of Xu, mother of naval admiral Qiu Lianggong. Carved entirely from granite with exceptional intricacy, it is designated a national monument. Standing approximately 7 meters tall, the arch's dense and masterly carving makes it the best-preserved and most highly regarded stone paifang in Taiwan, and one of the most important historical landmarks in Jincheng Township.

Highlights of the memorial arch

Qiu Lianggong (1769–1817) was a native of Jincheng, Kinmen, and a Qing dynasty naval commander who served as Military Commander of Taiwan and Naval Commander-in-Chief of Fujian, renowned for suppressing the pirate Cai Qian. His mother Xu observed widowhood and raised her children alone after Qiu Lianggong's father died young; the Qing court recognized her as a model of chastity and filial piety and ordered a commemorative arch built in her honor. The arch was constructed by Minnan stone-carving craftsmen and took more than a year to complete, finished at the height of Qiu Lianggong's prestige as admiral.

The arch follows the four-column, three-bay form. The central bay rises to a tall gatework, with lower door lintels on either side. The front face bears the characters for Imperial Edict, clearly identifying the arch as an imperially commissioned monument. Columns, arch tablets, and all horizontal beams are covered in relief carvings whose subjects include dragons and phoenixes, flowers, processions of civil and military officials, and auspicious motifs, all executed with deep and layered carving. The local granite used for the stone has weathered for two hundred years, yet the carving lines remain sharp and complete.

How to make the most of your visit

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Look at the reliefs panel by panelEach level of the arch carries reliefs with different subjects. Looking upward from ground level and examining each panel in turn is recommended — pay attention to the variation in carving depth among the dragon-phoenix patterns, the official processions, and the floral motifs.

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Read the inscriptions on the arch tabletsThe front and back carry different inscriptions recording the reason for the honor and the year of construction. These are primary sources for understanding the Qing dynasty system of official commendation and the history of the Qiu family.

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Observe the four-column, three-bay structureThe arch's proportions are well balanced. The height difference between the central and outer columns and the width of the central gateway follow formal conventions — worth comparing with paifang forms in other regions.

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Morning photographyMorning light from the east strikes the front of the arch and warms the granite's color while casting clear relief shadows. This is the best lighting window for photographing the arch's front face.

Practical information

Getting there and timing

The arch is on Zhongxing Road in Jincheng Township, close to the town center. It is accessible on foot or by scooter, with public parking nearby.
The arch stands in a public outdoor space and can be viewed at any time. As a national monument, climbing on it or touching the stone carvings is prohibited — please keep a respectful distance.

Nearby connections

Adjacent to Jincheng Township's old commercial street (Mofan Street). After viewing the arch you can walk to the old street to try traditional Kinmen snacks such as Cantonese congee and oyster omelette.
The Wujiang Academy, Kinmen County Cultural Park (former Kinmen Normal School), and other cultural-history sites in Jincheng Township can be included on the same day for a full-day humanities route through the township.

Sources: Cultural Heritage Bureau, Ministry of Culture, national monument records; Kinmen County Cultural Affairs Bureau interpretive information. Photos to be replaced with Dio's own shots.

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