Former Site of Shengping Shexue in Guangzhou

Former Site of Shengping Shexue in Guangzhou

The former site of Shengping Shexue in Guangzhou is a cultural relic protection unit of Guangdong Province.

The former site of Shengping Shexue in Qing Dynasty Guangzhou is located in Shijing, Guangzhou. Facing east and situated westward, it spans 31.46 meters in width and 51.62 meters in depth, featuring a three-courtyard, hard-roofed architectural layout. The current site was initiated for construction in the 22nd year of the Daoguang reign (1842) by local scholars including Li Fang from Shijing Township. The main gate bears a stone plaque inscribed with “Shengping Shexue,” personally written by Qiying, the Viceroy of Liangguang, and dated “Daoguang Renyin August.”

Before the war, the shexue served as a “gathering place for gentry to promote harmony,” where “scholars were invited to teach students,” “moral education was emphasized,” and “local customs were cultivated.” During the war, Shengping Shexue became the leading organization for various township shexues and patriotic groups resisting foreign aggression. It played a significant role in struggles such as the burning of foreign factories by Guangzhou residents in 1842, the anti-land lease protests in 1844, the expulsion of Magistrate Liu Xun in 1845, and the resistance against foreign entry into the city from 1846 to 1849.

The site was renovated in 1959, and stone plaques such as “Unity Is Strength,” “Intimidating the Fierce,” and “Righteousness for the Hometown” still remain.

In July 1962, the People's Committee of Guangdong Province designated it as a cultural relic protection unit.

Shijing Community: Shijing Community…… More details about Shijing Community++

Further Reading:

· First Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units in Guangdong Province