Meixi Archways Scenic Area (Meixi Paifang Scenic Area)

Meixi Archways Scenic Area (Paifang Scenic Area), situated in Meixi Village of Zhuhai City, covers an area of 126,000 square meters (about 31 acres). This scenic area mainly contains three parts: the Meixi Archways, the former residence of Chen Fang and the Chen's Garden and Cemetery.

Archways (Paifang) is a kind of traditional architecture unique in China. In Chinese history, an archway is set up to commemorate the people high-minded in virtue. The Meixi Memorial Archways for Chen Fang is typically one of them. Chen Fang, the first Chinese consul general in Honolulu, was born in Meixi Village. In his early age, he went to Honolulu to earn his keep. Owing to his hard work, he soon became the first Chinese millionaire on the island of Oahu. In 1890, he came back to his hometown and settled down. After returning, he did many favors for the village and achieved a good reputation in his hometown. In order to commend Chen Fang, the Emperor Guangxu in Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) obliged artisans to construct four archways for him in 1886 and 1891 respectively. After hundreds years, only three of the them are preserved. Made of granite, the three archways are erected abreast. Each of them is about 12 meters high (about 39 feet) and 12.2 meters wide (about 13.3 yard). With four strong pillars, each archway has a similar roof structure to that of the Hall of Supreme Harmony (Taihedian) in the Forbidden City. The heads of the archway are carved with 'leshan haoshi' (which means 'ready to help others'), 'zhongcheng' (which means 'loyal') and other inscriptions, and the pillars and roofs have elaborate carvings such as beautiful flowers, luck animals and calligraphies. Different from other traditional archways, the Meixi Archways possesses the particular western-styled decorative design. These three archways are thus the perfect integration of traditional Chinese architecture form and western decoration style.

On the right side of archways lies the former residence of Chen Fang. This residence covers an area of 5742 square meters (about 6867 square yards), including a Chen's memorial temple, two large chambers, a hall, a villa, the Meixi temple and an ancestral temple. The residence is much like a manor with various kinds of plants and trees, brick made fencing and sentry buildings. Today, the residence features series of exhibitions about Chinese traditional arch, waxworks of famous figures in Zhuhai, the history of Chen's Family and Chinese painting and calligraphy, all of which allow people to enjoy Chinese culture and the local custom.

In front of the former residence lies Chen's Garden and Chen's cemetery. With an area of 72,000 square meters (about 17 acres), it has a length of 300 meters (about 328 yards) and a width of 240 meters (about 262 yards). Nowadays in this area, people can still see a stele erected almost one hundred years ago. It is carved with 'shengjingjiacheng' (which means 'a fascinating place'). In the garden, some trees Chen Fang brought in from Hawaii are now more than a hundred years old but still look vigorous. The eight-angled pavilion, rock-paved path and lotus pool together display a harmonious scenery for tourists.

Involved in the natural beauty of Meixi Village, this Archways Scenic Area combines the Chinese traditional architecture form and the local custom in Zhuhai, thus giving visitors a unique glimpse of Chinese culture.
 

Admission Fee: CNY 65 per adult; CNY 25 per child (1.2m-1.5m)
Opening Hours: 08:30-18:00
Bus Route: 41, 26
- Last updated on May. 31, 2022 -
Questions & Answers on Meixi Archways Scenic Area (Meixi Paifang Scenic Area)
Asked by debbie leong from MALAYSIA | Oct. 10, 2015 11:04Reply
Zhuhai 1 day trip
Hi ,

We arrive Gongbei in the late morning, plan to buy the train ticket to Guangzhou for the evening ride, and hire a cab to take us to see the below but wonder if there is enough time.. and how much we need to pay the cab drive. Please advise.
1. New YuanMingYuan Garden
2. Mei Xi Paifang
3. Woman Fisher Statue
4. Lover's Road
Answers (3)
Answered by Ryan from DENMARK | Oct. 10, 2015 21:32
01Reply


Well, your time is a little bit tight.
Instead of taking a cab, you are suggested to hire a private car. It can wait for you and take you to the next scenic spot. Generally speaking, the fare is CNY 350 to 500 per day.
Answered by debbie leong from MALAYSIA | Oct. 11, 2015 03:38
20Reply


Thank you for the advise. Would you be able to provide contact numbers to hiring a private car with driver perhaps for 4 to 5 hours.
Answered by Ryan from DEMARK | Oct. 11, 2015 04:48
10Reply


Well, as I know, eHi Car Rental Company is a reliable one. You can search the official website on your own. The website has English version by the way.
Asked by Laurentia Wijaya from INDONESIA | Apr. 11, 2013 20:05Reply
Hi, plz written down in Mandarin to easy for me to show it to ask the local people
1. New YuanMingYuan Garden
2. Mei Xi Paifang
3. Woman Fisher Statue
4. Lover's Road
I reading some website, now no more already Sightseeing bus , is true? Is possible in 1 day spent time in all attraction? If I arrival from Zhuhai North Railway Station, what a name of station must be get off by bus no 3A? Plz written down in Mandarin all, thanks in advance
Answers (1)
Answered by Alina from GERMANY | Apr. 11, 2013 22:02
10Reply


1. New YuanMingYuan Garden 圆明园新园
2. Mei Xi Paifang 梅溪牌坊
3. Woman Fisher Statue 渔女石雕
4. Lover's Road 情人路
There is no sightseeing bus currently. It is possible for you to visit those attractions in one day. You'd better hire a cab. You can get off bus No. 3A at Jiuzhou Port, then transfer to another bus to place you want to go.
Asked by Ms.leong from MALAYSIA | Feb. 05, 2011 03:32Reply
gongxifacai!

from new yuanmingyuan, how long is the distance to go to mexi pai fang? usually how long i will need to spend in meixi paifang? xie xie
Answers (1)
Answered by Mr.CArl | Feb. 08, 2011 02:03
11Reply


They are just one stop away from each other if you take the sightseeing bus. I think 1 hour is enough for visiting it.
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