Li Zicheng’s Palace

Li Zicheng’s Palace generally refers to the Panlong Mountain Ancient Architectural Complex. The Panlong Mountain Ancient Architectural Complex, also known as Li Zicheng’s Palace, is located on Beipanlong Mountain in Mizhi County, Yulin City, Shaanxi Province, covering a total area of 11,400 square meters with a built-up area of 4,600 square meters. It was first built in the 16th year of the Chongzhen era of the Ming Dynasty (1643).

Li Zicheng’s Palace is located at the southern foot of Beipanlong Mountain in Mizhi County, Shaanxi Province, along National Highway 210 and the Xi’an-Baoji Railway, on the eastern bank of the Wuding River. It connects to the north with Yulin, Shenmu, and Baotou, to the south with Suide, Yan’an, and Xi’an, to the east with Ji County and Shanxi, and to the west with Jingbian, Dingbian, and Yinchuan. It is one of the major cultural and heritage tourism sites in Northern Shaanxi.

The palace covers an area of 11,385 square meters with a built-up area of 4,600 square meters. Its main structures consist of seven parts: the Music Tower, Plum Blossom Pavilion, Blessing-Receiving Tower, Second Heavenly Gate, Scenic-Viewing Tower (later renamed Jade Emperor Pavilion), Auspicious Hall (main hall), and Auspicious Celebration Palace (bedchamber). The entire complex follows the mountain’s contours and is built on terraces, layer upon layer, densely arranged. The layout is rigorous and harmonious, with well-ordered arrangements. Nestled against the exquisite mountain, steep stone steps, and majestic halls, from afar the site resembles a soaring dragon—magnificent and imposing. Ascending from the Music Tower along the slope, you pass the Plum Blossom Pavilion, Blessing-Receiving Tower, stone memorial archway, and the towering stairs of the Second Heavenly Gate, all solemn and dignified. Upon reaching the terrace, the Jade Emperor Pavilion stands ingeniously crafted and towers in mid-air. Climbing the steps and passing through the tunnel, you enter the palace courtyard, welcomed by an ornamental gate opposite, extraordinarily splendid. The resplendent Auspicious Hall exudes grandeur, while the Auspicious Celebration Palace is truly magnificent. The bell and drum towers and other structures are scattered artfully, with corridors and side halls connecting the main buildings seamlessly. Li Zicheng’s Palace was first built in 1643 and is the only complete set of Ming and Qing ancient architectural complexes still existing in Northwest China, holding significant historical, artistic, and scientific value.

Panlong Mountain was originally named Horse Saddle Mountain. The predecessor of the palace was a small temple built during the Ming Jiajing era. In the 16th year of the Chongzhen era (1643 AD), after Li Zicheng established the Daxun regime in Xi’an, he ordered his nephew Li Guo to return to his hometown Mizhi to build a palace. Li Guo climbed Horse Saddle Mountain and, seeing the mountain surrounded by water and possessing an extraordinary, tiger-like and dragon-like presence, reported to Li Zicheng that he could demolish the small temple and build a palace there for the King’s eventual return. A stele recording Li Guo’s construction of the palace once remained in the palace courtyard but was destroyed during wartime.

According to the History of Ming, Li Zicheng returned to his hometown twice and stayed here. The first time was at the end of May in the 9th year of the Chongzhen era (1636), when Li Zicheng triumphantly captured towns such as Yanchang and Suide. Upon hearing the joyful news of Li Zicheng’s return, the people of Mizhi spread the word excitedly. Along the way, locals—elderly and children alike—cheered and welcomed the King. When Li Zicheng led his troops into Mizhi, he camped outside the city and “called out to County Magistrate Bian Dashou, saying: ‘This is my hometown, do not mistreat the elders,’ and left him money to renovate the Confucius Temple and provide relief for the people.” The Confucius Temple remains well-preserved in the elementary school compound on East Street in the county town.

Li Zicheng’s second return to his hometown was in early November of the 16th year of the Chongzhen era (1643). Leading his troops into Yan’an and then Mizhi, Li Zicheng ordered his soldiers to camp outside the city and used the Horse Saddle Mountain Palace as the main camp. He sent letters to discuss preparations for ancestral worship with local gentry such as Feng Qilong, head of the city’s defense affairs in Mizhi, and renamed the Horse Saddle Mountain where the rebel army was stationed to Panlong Mountain. The residence outside the city where Li Zicheng stayed was turned into a palace, and his living quarters were named the Auspicious Hall and Auspicious Celebration Palace in commemoration.

On November 9, Li Zicheng set off from Mizhi to the ancestral tomb at Sanfengzi Mountain, “with ten thousand horses and banners stretching for miles.” After the ceremony, he “visited his relatives and bestowed gold...” On the 11th, he returned to Mizhi and stayed in the palace. He renamed Yan’an to Tianbao Prefecture and Mizhi County to Tianbao County. On the 12th, he decided in Mizhi to dispatch troops to Yulin. By the end of November, after Li Zicheng’s forces captured Yulin, he returned to Xi’an. Passing through Mizhi, he fell ill and rested at the palace for several days. He asked the local defense official Feng Qilong to invite “two gentlemen surnamed Bi and Hui” from the city to treat him. Thanks to their dedicated care, Li Zicheng gradually recovered. After resting briefly in Mizhi, he set off for Xi’an. Before leaving Mizhi, at Feng Qilong’s request, he accepted Feng’s second son, Feng Feng, into the Daxun Army, who accompanied the group to Xi’an (from Volume Seven of the Mizhi Wanmo Feng Family Genealogy).

After the failure of the Rebel King’s campaign, the Qing government thoroughly eradicated all relics related to the Daxun regime. The people of Mizhi protected the palace by renaming it the “Zhenwu Ancestral Temple.” In the 56th year of the Qianlong era and the 21st year of the Guangxu era of the Qing Dynasty, the site underwent two renovations, and many deities were added. At the time, incense offerings were constant and the place was very lively. It wasn’t until 1927 that progressive youths tore down the temple and destroyed the statues, establishing a junior high school in the palace. For over 300 years, this ancient palace complex weathered many storms, and even during the ten-year catastrophe, it was not spared and suffered severe damage. In the later years of the founding of the People’s Republic, this historic site received high attention from the Party and government, with multiple grants allocated for restoration. Today, the ancient architecture of the palace is well preserved.

A Li Zicheng Memorial Hall has been established within the palace, with its plaque personally inscribed by Mr. Yao Xueyin. The hall uses texts, images, and artifacts to detail General Li Zicheng’s glorious achievements in raising the Rebel Flag, shaking the world, and overthrowing the Ming Dynasty. It also features the “Li Zicheng Review Exhibition,” “Exhibition of Fine Eastern Han Stone Reliefs,” and “Historical Exhibition of Mizhi Women.” Li Zicheng’s Palace has had widespread influence both domestically and internationally. When people in China speak of Mizhi, they inevitably mention “Li Zicheng and the Palace,” and visitors to Northern Shaanxi always pay homage to the “Palace.”

On May 25, 2006, Li Zicheng’s Palace was announced by the State Council as a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level, and it is also a Provincial Patriotic Education Base.

Suggested Duration

1 hour

Transportation

From within Yulin City, you can take a train or bus to Mizhi County. After getting off, you can walk or take a taxi to the palace.

Ticket Price

20 RMB

Opening Hours

8:00-18:00

Location

No. 13 Xinggong Road, Mizhi County, Yulin City, Shaanxi Province

Source: Mizhi County People’s Government Website

Li Zicheng, the Rebel King (1606–1645), also known as Li Hongji or Li Chuang, was a leader of the late Ming peasant uprising. In 1629, due to wage arrears issues, Li Zicheng killed Colonel Wang Guo and the local county magistrate, instigating a mutiny. He then fought across the country and proclaimed himself emperor in Xi’an, claiming Li Jiqian as his imperial ancestor and establishing the “Great Shun” dynasty. In 1644, Li Zicheng entered the Forbidden City and looted extensively, but in 1645, his forces were breached at Tongguan by Qing cannons. He evaded battle and wandered. In 1645, Li Zicheng was killed by local militias, and his body was never found.