Hong Xiuquan Memorial Hall

Hong Xiuquan Memorial Hall

The Hong Xiuquan Memorial Hall is a patriotic education base.

Hong Xiuquan (1814–1864), a native of Huadu District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, was an outstanding leader of the peasant movement in modern China and one of the earliest progressive Chinese to seek salvation for the nation from the West.

The Hong Xiuquan Memorial Hall is located at No. 52 Xinhua Road, Xinhua Street, Huadu District. It was established to commemorate Hong Xiuquan, the leader of the Taiping Rebellion peasant movement. Opened in November 1991, it covers an area of 13,300 square meters, with the main building spanning 1,715 square meters in floor space. The architecture features antique-style blue bricks and glazed tiles. The hall displays historical exhibits on Hong Xiuquan and supplementary exhibits on the history of other heroes of the Taiping Rebellion from Huadu District. The exhibitions incorporate scene models, woodblock carvings, large-scale oil paintings, and more, collectively highlighting Hong Xiuquan’s quest for national salvation and his leadership in the Taiping Revolution.

The exhibition content is rich and diverse. The hall includes a lobby and four exhibit rooms, each varying in layout according to its theme to emphasize distinct messages. The first room introduces Hong Xiuquan’s search for a path to save the nation and his family background, using imitation blue brick walls to reflect his hometown characteristics. The second room covers his leadership in the Taiping Revolution—specifically the Jintian Uprising—displayed against a backdrop shaped like the uprising’s flag, with a yellow base and red trim, evoking the uprising’s sweeping momentum. The third room depicts the struggle to defend Tianjing, designed in the style of the Heavenly King’s Palace to illustrate the establishment of the Taiping revolutionary government. The fourth room portrays the tragic yet heroic fight, using a broken city wall motif in a purplish-red tone to represent the siege of Tianjing and Hong Xiuquan’s leadership in the Taiping Army’s brave defense. The entire exhibition is both imposing and distinctive.

Hong Xiuquan’s Former Residence Memorial Hall

The bronze bust and white marble seated statue of Hong Xiuquan at the entrance and in the lobby were donated in November 1991 by three individuals from the Macau Chinese General Chamber of Commerce: Ma Man-kei, Edmund Ho Hau-wah, and Tao Kai-yu. They were designed and crafted by renowned sculptor Cao Chong’en. The woodblock carvings on the wall of the lobby depict Hong Xiuquan’s journey from taking imperial examinations, founding the God Worshipping Society, launching the Jintian Uprising, to sailing eastward and defeating Qing forces. The exhibit rooms display cultural relics such as portraits of Hong Xiuquan’s great-great-grandparents Hong Yinglun and his wife, the desk and chopstick holder used by Hong Xiuquan when he was a village schoolteacher, and a pair of stone lions unearthed in front of the “Study Pavilion,” the former residence of Hong Xiuquan.

Hong Xiuquan’s Former Residence Memorial Hall

The Hong Xiuquan Memorial Hall was designated as a patriotic education base for Guangzhou City in 1994 and for Guangdong Province in 2000. In 2005, it was rated as a National AAA-level Tourist Attraction. In 2006, it was named a Model Patriotic Education Base of Guangzhou City, and in 2007, it became a Party Member Education Base of Guangzhou. In 2010, it was honored as a Guangdong Provincial Women’s Civilization Post.

Hong Xiuquan’s Former Residence Memorial Hall

The Hong Xiuquan Memorial Hall began offering free admission on April 21, 2009.

Hong Xiuquan’s Former Residence Memorial Hall

The memorial hall is closed every Monday.

Hong Xiuquan’s Former Residence Memorial Hall

Xinhua Subdistrict: Xinhua Subdistrict is the political, economic, cultural, technological, and international exchange hub of Huadu District, Guangzhou City. It is home to the Huadu District Committee and District People’s Government, located in the southern part of Huadu District. The Beijing-Guangzhou Railway, National Highway 107, and National Highway 106 run north-south through the subdistrict, while waterways connect via the Bajiang River to the Pearl River. The area houses the Huadu Port, Guangzhou North Railway Station, and Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport. On May 28, 2005, in accordance with directives from the provincial and municipal governments, the District Committee and Government officially dissolved Xinhua Town and established Xinhua Subdistrict Office. The subdistrict spans a total area of 112 square kilometers, including 33 square kilometers of urban area... More details about Xinhua Subdistrict++

Further Reading:

· China National Third-Class Museum