Yellow Turban Army Stronghold

Yellow Turban Army Stronghold

The Yellow Turban Army Stronghold is located in the middle section of Lingxiao Mountain at an altitude of 1,062 meters, 35 kilometers from downtown Xingtai, with a total scenic area of 24 square kilometers. The natural landscape here is spectacular—especially in October during golden autumn when eagles soar above the cliffs, wild chrysanthemums bloom in vibrant colors, and lush pines and cypresses frame the fiery red foliage that paints the mountains, even surpassing the famed red leaves of Fragrant Hills.

During the late Eastern Han Dynasty, Zhang Jiao, leader of the Yellow Turban Army, established this mountain stronghold here to gather heroes from all directions. Today, the mountain still retains numerous relics from the Han Dynasty, such as the ancient military command platform and water prison. The rolling dragon jade pillars in the Lingxiao Hall are inscribed with the words “The Great Sage and Virtuous Teacher sits amidst the cliffs”—“Great Sage and Virtuous Teacher” being Zhang Jiao’s Taoist title. It is now a key cultural relic protection unit of Hebei Province.

The Yellow Turban Army Stronghold is the birthplace of the Way of Great Peace (Taiping Dao) and the headquarters of the Yellow Turban Rebellion. In the late Eastern Han Dynasty, Zhang Jiao, a native of Julu in Xingtai, founded the “Way of Great Peace” on Lingxiao Mountain. He gathered heroes, recruited commoners, and punished corrupt officials, dealing a heavy blow to the decaying ruling class of the Eastern Han Dynasty. The mountain still preserves historical remnants from the Yellow Turban Army, including the military command platform, training grounds, stone steps, fortress gates, fortress walls, water prison, barracks, tunnels, civilian shelters, and the Octagonal Pavilion. The “water prison,” in particular, remains well-preserved and was where Zhang Jiao punished corrupt officials and oppressive local elites.

Transportation Guide

Scenic Area Address: Middle Section of Lingxiao Mountain, North of Sigou Village, Xingtai County, Hebei Province

By Bus: Take a bus from Xingxi Bus Station bound for Beixiaozhuang, then transfer to a minibus to Sigou to reach the scenic area.

By Car: Take the Beijing–Shenzhen Expressway and exit at the Xingtai North Toll Gate. Head west along Yingbin Avenue to Xinxian Highway, then drive to Tianzhuang and exit the highway. Continue straight to Sigou Village.