Huazhou Battlefield

Huazhou Battlefield

Huazhou Battlefield

Huazhou Village in Penghua Township, An Yao Ethnic Township, is the site of the “Huazhou Soaring Dragon” historic landmark. Ascending Shangdi Terrace and looking around, you’ll see majestic mountains stretching endlessly like an ocean, with countless peaks cascading down from high ridges—some resembling galloping horses, others like dragons emerging from the sea. The landscape is truly awe-inspiring, a place teeming with hidden energy and strategic depth, making it extremely defensible. No wonder Hong Xiuquan and his followers chose this as the site for the God Worshippers’ “regimental encampment.”

On October 17, 1850 (the 13th day of the 9th month in the 30th year of the Daoguang reign of the Qing Dynasty), followers of the God Worshippers led by Hong Xiuquan clashed with Qing government troops sent to suppress them. As the Qing forces launched a fierce attack on the God Worshippers’ encampment in Huazhou, intense fighting ensued, resulting in heavy casualties. The site was thus named “Big Blood Terrace.”

After Hong Xiuquan, besieged in Huazhou, sent out a distress call, Hu Yihuang led troops to directly assault the Qing forces in Siwang, while Yang Xiuqing and Meng De’en also marched on Guancheng to break the siege. With a coordinated attack from both inside and outside, the “Battle of Huazhou” was ultimately won, allowing Hong Xiuquan to exit Jintian and make all preparations for the “Jintian Uprising.” In truth, without the victory at Huazhou, there would have been no Taiping Rebellion’s “Jintian Uprising.” Japanese historian Hideaki Kikuchi, who came to study the history of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, also remarked: The Battle of Huazhou was the prelude and overture to the Jintian Uprising. Huazhou was the birthplace of the Taiping Rebellion, and Penghua was the cradle of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom. Hence, Huazhou Battlefield, known as “Huazhou Soaring Dragon,” has been listed as one of Pingnan’s Eight Scenic Spots.