The British King’s Mansion and Its Murals

The British King’s Mansion and Its Murals

The British King’s Mansion and Its Murals is a cultural relic protection unit of Anhui Province.

The British King’s Mansion of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom and its murals are cultural relics from the Qing Qianlong–Jiaqing period. The British King’s Mansion of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom and its murals are located in downtown Anqing City. They are key cultural relics under protection in Anhui Province.

The British King’s Mansion of Chen Yucheng, the British King of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, was constructed by renovating and modifying the former residence of Ren Shu, an official of the Qing Dynasty. The original house was built during the Qing Qianlong–Jiaqing period, facing south with a total area of about 4,275 square meters. The mansion complex is divided into three sections, with the central section as the core, featuring a main hall and a rear hall, while wings were built on both sides, all extending four courtyards deep. The complex also includes residential buildings, watchtowers, and gardens, forming a complete mansion architectural ensemble. Four Taiping Heavenly Kingdom murals still remain in the East Hall (“Lion and Phoenix with Wutong Trees,” “Melons and Grapes in Endless Rows,” “Gallop of War Horses,” and “Eight Immortals in Hidden Form”). Other discoveries include drip tiles adorned with dragon and phoenix patterns, stone flagpoles, and mounting stones.

The entrance gate of the British King’s Mansion of Chen Yucheng, the British King of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, is not particularly luxurious or elaborate. However, to the left of the current gate stands a massive white marble drum-shaped stone, which hints at the distinguished status of the mansion’s former owner. Above the threshold hangs a red nameplate, and on the right side, a black stone stele is embedded in the wall.

Protected area: 6 meters east of the building, 0.5 meters south, 7 meters west, and 8 meters north.

Construction control zone: 30 meters east, 31 meters south, 65 meters west, and up to Mizi Lane to the north, outside the protected area.

Chen Yucheng (1837 – June 4, 1862), originally named Peicheng, was a native of Teng County, Guangxi (some say Guiping). He was a renowned military strategist and commander of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom.

In 1837 (the 17th year of the Daoguang reign), Chen Yucheng was born into a poor farming family. Orphaned at a young age, he was raised by his grandparents. Standing not very tall and with a black mole under each eye, people jokingly called him “Four-Eyed Dog.” In the autumn of 1850, when Hong Xiuquan called for “forming regiments,” the 13-year-old Chen Yucheng joined the Jintian Uprising with his uncle Chen Chengrong and became a child soldier... More information about Chen Yucheng ++