Former Site of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom’s Activities in Yong’an

　　  In 1851, after launching the Jintian Uprising in Guiping, the Taiping Army led by Hong Xiuquan captured its first prefectural city — Yong’an Prefecture. The Taiping forces stayed in Yong’an for six months, during which they established their new dynasty, enfeoffed the kings, and formulated systems covering politics, military, economy, and culture. They repelled dozens of armed offensives and tight economic blockades by Qing troops, achieving glorious victories. As a result, 26 historical sites related to the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom and over 1,500 cultural relics remain in Yong’an. This site holds the largest collection of authentic Taiping Heavenly Kingdom artifacts in the country and is an ideal destination for scholars and tourists from around the world to study and explore the history of the Taiping Rebellion.

　　  The Former Site of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom’s Activities in Yong’an features prominent historical and cultural landmarks that are centrally located. Centered around the Heavenly Capital Site (currently the location of the Mengshan County People’s Government), the area is enclosed by the ancient city walls of Yong’an Prefecture. The city wall was originally built in 1477 AD, with a total perimeter of 248 meters, a height of 5 meters, and a thickness of 2 meters. The existing sections were repaired during the Daoguang reign of the Qing Dynasty, and the inscription “Daoguang” can still be clearly seen on some bricks. When the Taiping Army attacked the city, they employed a feint strategy, breaching the wall from the southwest corner and capturing Yong’an Prefecture — their first prefectural victory since the Jintian Uprising.

　　  From September 1851 to April 1852, Heavenly King Hong Xiuquan issued six edicts under the magnolia tree in front of the Martial Temple, enfeoffing the Five Kings of East, West, South, North, and Wing. Cannon platforms were built at the four cardinal directions around the city: the Eastern Platform about 500 meters east of the city, the Western Platform at Tuanguan Ridge half a li west of the city, the Southern Platform at Dajiao Ridge about 300 meters south of the city, and the Northern Platform at Hongmiao (currently the Education Bureau Farm) 500 meters north of the city. These four platforms formed a strategic network to defend against the Qing army. Today, only one authentic broken antique cannon remains on display in the relics exhibition hall.

　　  Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Relics Exhibition Hall: The hall houses over 1,500 cultural relics from the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom. Among them are ancient weapons such as shields, piglet cannons, hook sickles, guandao blades, tridents, bullets, and bamboo spear guns. There is also the human skull of Wu Jiang, the prefect of Yong’an Prefecture at the time, unearthed from a dry well pit, which holds significant archaeological value.

　　  Martial Temple: Originally built in the third year of the Shunzhi reign (1645) during the Qing Dynasty and renovated in the fifth year of the Kangxi reign (1666), the temple covers an area of approximately 302 square meters. It consists of a main hall, an atrium, a front gate, and east and west wing rooms, all constructed with brick, wood, and glazed tiles. It gained fame as the former site of the Eastern King’s Palace, where Taiping leaders discussed military strategies.

　　  Zhongying Ridge Sacred Treasury: Located on Zhongying Ridge, nine kilometers south of the city. The treasury was surrounded by two layers of walls, each with four gates. Outer buildings housed troops while inner areas stored grain and various military supplies, functioning as the Taiping Army’s food and supplies depot. The Sacred Treasury System was a crucial economic policy established by the Taiping Army in Yong’an, providing essential financial and material support for the establishment and consolidation of the Taiping revolutionary regime. It also played a vital role in uniting soldiers and enhancing combat effectiveness.