Monumental archway was built in the feudal society for the purpose of honoring meritorious service, imperial civil examination, benevolent administration as well as loyalty and filial piety. Some monumental archways are outbuildings of memorial temples, which are used to declare publicly the virtues and achievements of forefathers of the kindred and have additional functions of ancestor worship.

Monumental archway (or decorated gateway) is commemorative architecture of doorway-type. It was a place where honors were given to worthies in a village such as dignitary, dutiful sons, chaste women, as well as persons having done good deeds for the benefit of the people. Some monumental archways were magnificent, provided with stele, bracket set and roof, as well as exquisite stone carvings, and some were of simple style. However, all of them were provided with steles as historical testimonies describing persons and events for whom or for which the archways were established. In traditional Chinese societies, monumental archway was a symbol of filial piety and benevolence, and the establishment of the monumental archway was a move leaving good names forever, which was the highest pursuit of ancients during their lifetime. In some cases, monumental archways acted as decorative gates in some temples, and some were used as name boards. In some villages, quite a number of stone monumental archways were arranged in lengthwise direction in front of the village gate or memorial temple plaza, thus forming a sublime sight and displaying cultural and historical tradition of the village.