Former Site of Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Activities in Yong’an

Former Site of Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Activities in Yong’an

The Former Site of Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Activities in Yong’an is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

A National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit. Located in Mengshan County (formerly known as Yong’an Prefecture), adjacent to National Highway 321, approximately 143 kilometers from Guilin City.

In 1851, after the Jintian Uprising in Guiping, the Taiping Army led by Hong Xiuquan captured their first prefectural city—Yong’an Prefecture. The Taiping Army stayed in Yong’an for half a year, during which they established a new dynasty, appointed the kings, and formulated various systems covering politics, military, economy, and culture. They repelled dozens of armed attacks and severe economic blockades by Qing forces, achieving resounding victories. As a result, Yong’an Prefecture preserves 26 historical sites related to the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom and over 1,500 Taiping artifacts. It is the site with the highest number of authentic Taiping cultural relics in the country, making it an ideal destination for scholars and tourists from China and abroad to study, explore, and experience the history of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom.

The historical and cultural landscape of the Former Site of Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Activities in Yong’an is distinctive and densely distributed. Centered around the Heavenly Capital Site (currently the location of the Mengshan County People’s Government) and enclosed by the ancient city walls of Yong’an Prefecture. The city wall was originally built in 1477 AD, with a total perimeter of 248 meters, a height of 5 meters, and a thickness of 2 meters. The existing wall was repaired during the Daoguang reign of the Qing Dynasty, and the characters “Daoguang” can still be clearly seen on the bricks. When the Taiping Army attacked the city, they employed a feint strategy, breaching the city wall from its southwest corner and successfully capturing Yong’an Prefecture. This marked their first victory in taking a prefectural city since the Jintian Uprising.

From September 1851 to April 1852, Heavenly King Hong Xiuquan issued six edicts under the magnolia tree in front of the Martial Temple, appointing the Five Kings: East, West, South, North, and Wing. The city was surrounded by four artillery forts—East, West, South, and North. The East Fort was located on Liaowang Ridge, about 500 meters east of the city; the South Fort on Dajiao Ridge, about 500 meters south; the West Fort on Tuanguan Ridge, half a li west of the city; and the North Fort on Hongmiao (now the Education Bureau Farm), about 500 meters north. These four forts were mutually supportive, forming a formidable defensive line against the Qing army after the Taiping takeover. Today, only one broken authentic antique cannon remains on display in the relics exhibition hall.

Taiping Relics Exhibition Hall: The hall houses a collection of over 1,500 Taiping artifacts, including ancient weapons such as shields, piglet cannons, hook sickles, broadswords, tridents, bullets, and bamboo spear guns. It also contains the human skull of Wu Jiang, the then-prefect of Yong’an Prefecture, unearthed from a dry well pit, which holds significant archaeological value.

Martial Temple: Originally built in the third year of the Shunzhi reign of the Qing Dynasty (1645) and renovated in the fifth year of the Kangxi reign (1666), it covers an area of about 302 square meters. The structure consists of a main hall, an atrium, a front gate, and east and west wing rooms, built with brick, wood, and glazed tiles. It gained fame as the East King’s Palace, an important site where Taiping leaders discussed military strategies.

Zhongying Ridge Sacred Treasury: Located on Zhongying Ridge, nine kilometers south of the city. The treasury was enclosed by two layers of walls, each with four gates. The outer layer housed troops, while the inner layer stored grain and various military supplies, serving as the Taiping Army’s sacred grain depot. The Sacred Treasury system was a crucial economic policy established by the Taiping Army in Yong’an Prefecture. It provided economic and material support for the establishment and consolidation of the Taiping revolutionary regime, and played a vital role in uniting soldiers and enhancing combat effectiveness.

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units