Chinese Landmarks - World-Class Wonders - Walking in China

Author: Wang Qijun
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-08-01
Features: Magnificent, Resplendent, and Luxurious
The arched gateways () originated from China's early lifang system. In ancient China, residential areas were enclosed by walls, with only a few gates set in the walls for exit, forming streets with high walls on both sides. Such residential areas were known as lifang, and the gateways (fangmen) served an honorary purpose. During the Song Dynasty, the lifang system was abolished, and arched gateways were replaced by pifang. Arched gateways are or buildings with single rows of pillars and decorative elements like eufen (horizontal beams). They are typically placed at the entrances of buildings. If an arched gateway has a roof, it is called a pailou (), but they are generally referred to as pifang. Among all types of pifang, the most prestigious are liupifang ().
Liupifang (liu, meaning glazed, and pifang, meaning arched gateway) primarily feature glazed tiles on their roofs, giving them a golden, resplendent, and luxurious appearance. Liupifang are undoubtedly the finest examples of pifang artistry. Due to their nobility and extraordinary splendor, during the Ming and Qing dynasties, except for buildings specially granted by the imperial court, no one was permitted to use glazed tiles to construct pifang. In other words, liupifang could only be found in imperial gardens.
"Rishi Dai Zong" Glazed Arched Gateway, Dongyue Temple
This large liupifang is rare not only in Beijing but also in the entire country. It is located outside the Chaoyang Gate in Beijing. The liupifang of Dongyue Temple is in the pailou style, with a roof, so it is also called a liupailou. This pailou has three bays and seven tiers, with an arched gateway under each bay. The archways are surrounded by plain brick walls, while the upper part is entirely adorned with glazed decorative elements. The central bay of the pailou bears the plaque "Rishi Dai Zong," indicating that this is Dongyue Temple, as Dongyue is also known as "Dai Zong." In the center of the gable of the green-glazed tile roof, there is a sun pattern. The style is simple, elegant, and refined.
Exquisite Carvings of (Twining Flowers)
The liupifang of Dongyue Temple features glazed bas-relief carvings of. Above the archways, between the upper and lower horizontal beams, there is a long decorative band with different images of peonies, including three depicted here. Of course, whether they are large or small leaves, upright or curling branches, or yellow or green, they all revolve around a central large peony flower, creating both variation and unity. The flowers and leaves are crystal clear and lustrous.
Bright and Lustrous Xiangshan Glazed Arched Gateway
Inside the Xiangshan Wofu Temple, there is a liupailou that, like the fragrant realm pailou, has three bays and seven tiers. It is also one of the more famous liupailou in Beijing. The overall color of the pailou is bright and lustrous, with all seven tiers covered in yellow glazed tiles. Below the eaves are blue dougong (bracket sets), and the fascia below the dougong is covered with yellow and green glazed elements. The central bay's fascia is inlaid with a white marble plaque, while the side bays feature gold-carved bas-reliefs of two dragons playing with a pearl. Below the fascia is a red brick wall. The pailou's xumi'zu (base), archways, and plaques are all white marble, clean and elegant.
Precious and Commemorative Arched Gateway in Guozijian
The liupailou in Guozijian is also in the three-bay, seven-tier style and is located inside the Taixue Gate, south of the Bixun. The pailou has three archways, with seven gate towers rising above them. The eaves of the towers are adorned with exquisite glazed paintings in yellow and green, supported by white marble bas-relief bases with lifelike carvings. The walls of the pailou are red. The pailou bears the eight characters "Xuehai Jueguan" (Viewing the Sea of Learning) and "Huanqiao Jiaozhe" (Education in the Circular Bridge) in the calligraphy of Emperor Qianlong. From these simple eight characters, one can see the diligent emperor's emphasis on scholarship and education. This is currently the only surviving pailou in Beijing dedicated to education, making it extremely precious and commemorative.
"Fragrant Realm" (Zhongxiang Jie) – Symbolizing the Abode of Gods and Buddhas
Behind the Foshangge in the Summer Palace stands a five-colored liupailou in the three-bay, seven-tier style, with a brick-and-stone imitation wooden structure and exterior decorations of colorful glazed tiles. The colors are crystal clear and the hues are vibrant. This exquisite pailou is the "Fragrant Realm," with the plaque "Zhongxiang Jie" on the front and "Zhili Lin" (Bodhi Grove) on the back. It is adjacent to the small liuguan (glazed hall) "Zhihuihai" (Sea of Wisdom), together symbolizing that this is a sacred place where Buddhas reside.
P166-167