Relics of Hong Xiuquan’s Activities in Cigou Village

Relics of Hong Xiuquan’s Activities in Cigou Village

Cigou Village is located in Xigu Village, Qingfeng, present-day Guigang City. It was the first stop in Guangxi where Hong Xiuquan carried out his revolutionary activities and also the first historical site of the Taiping Rebellion. Currently, a monument erected by the Guixian County Government stands in the square of the village primary school. The main inscription on the monument reads: “Historical Site of Revolutionary Activities of Heavenly King Hong Xiuquan.” The upper inscription reads: “From 1844 to 1847, Hong Xiuquan came here to propagate and organize revolutionary activities,” and the lower inscription reads: “Erected by Guixian County Government, January 1988.”

In May 1844 (the fourth month of the 24th year of the Daoguang reign in the Qing Dynasty), Hong Xiuquan arrived in Cigou Village from Shangfengchuan, Lianshan, Guangdong, together with Feng Yunshan. He stayed at the home of his cousin, Wang Shengjun. In 1847, he visited the village for a second time, teaching while propagating and organizing the God Worshipping Society, and recruiting followers. Numerous relics have been left behind, mainly including:

Threshold stone, 1.5 meters long and weighing about 100 kilograms, with carvings of stone deer on both sides. It was the threshold stone of the study where Hong Xiuquan taught.

This stone is currently placed in front of the house of Huang Qingsheng in Cigou Village.

Stone benches—there were originally six stone benches that Hong Xiuquan often sat on while teaching. Two still remain.

Mahuichong God Worshipping Society Relics are located in Mahuichong behind Cigou Village. This was the site where members held initiation ceremonies when joining the society.

Heavenly King Well is located at the western intersection of Cigou Village. Built with mountain stones, the well is about 2 meters deep and approximately 2.5 meters wide, oval-shaped, with stone steps at the opening. It was filled in by locals for vegetable farming in 1979 but restored by the Guixian County Government in 1988. The well was initiated by Hong Xiuquan to solve the villagers’ water shortage problems, hence the name “Heavenly King Well.”

“Demon-Slaying” Site: At the foot of Liuwu Mountain north of Cigou Village lies the Liuwu Temple, which enshrined a male and a female deity. Local landlords and gentry used the temple to exploit farmers. In 1844, Hong Xiuquan led followers to destroy the male and female statues in the temple and inscribed the poem “Denouncing the Demons of Liuwu” on the temple wall (the original poem is recorded in the 1862 published Taiping Tianguo Yinchao and Taiping Tianri). The temple has since been destroyed.

Luopowan Dam: Constructed by Hong Xiuquan to mediate local water disputes, the dam is 75 meters long, 3 meters wide, and 4.5 meters wide at the base. Built in 1844, it still exists today.

Hong Xiuquan (1814–1864), nickname Huoxiu, family name Renkun. Later changed his name to Xiutian to avoid the naming taboo of “Heavenly Father” (Yaweh). Born into a peasant family in Guanlu Village, Huaxian County (some sources say he was born in Fuyuan Shui Village before the family moved to Guanlu Village). His ancestor, Hong [name unclear], migrated from Shikeng Village, Jiaoying Prefecture, to Huaxian County during the Kangxi era, making Hong Xiuquan the sixth-generation descendant. His father, Jingyang, was hardworking, honest, and fair, having served as the “fortress elder” of Guanlu Village, responsible for managing village affairs and mediating clan disputes... More details on Hong Xiuquan ++

Feng Yunshan (1815–1852), also known as Yilong, styled Shaoguang. A native of Huaxian, Guangdong (now part of Guangzhou). From an early age, he enjoyed reading classics, history, astronomy, and geography. He once took the imperial examinations and later taught at a local school, earning a living as a private tutor.

In the 23rd year of the Daoguang reign (1843), Hong Xiuquan founded the God Worshipping Society in his hometown, and Feng Yunshan was one of his loyal followers. To promote the “God Worshipping Society,” Feng smashed and burned all the Buddhist and Confucian statues and tablets, including those of Confucius and Mencius, that were worshipped in his home. Due to his bold actions and the new faith he spread, he faced opposition from some villagers... More details on Feng Yunshan ++