Qishan Stockade

　　Qishan Stockade is located 4 kilometers north of Qintang Town and served as a military stronghold during Huang Dingfeng’s anti-Qing activities in Guoxili, Guixian. Built in the third year of the Xianfeng reign (1853), the stockade is perched near Huanglian Gorge in present-day Guigang City, flanked by towering cliffs on both sides, making for a highly strategic location. Huang Dingfeng excavated a pond on the open ground in front of Qishan, later known as Huang San Pond, covering an area of about 60 mu. Approximately 200 meters from Huang San Pond, he constructed a dam on the Fulong River and dug a channel to divert water into the pond. At the southern end of Huang San Pond, a watchtower was built, standing over 3 meters tall with a floor area of 15 square meters and a square shape. The tower walls were made of lime-sand concrete mixed with stone, featuring gates on the east, west, south, and north sides, as well as gun loopholes. This tower faced two other watchtowers on the main peak of Qishan across the water. The forward watchtower on the main peak covers an area of about 7 square meters, with protective walls about 1.3 meters high, situated halfway up the main summit.

　　The watchtower on the main peak was built atop Qishan's highest point, which has a cap-like summit surrounded by stone cliffs. There is no direct path between the front and rear watchtowers, so access was via rope and basket. Below the main peak of Qishan lies Huang San Bi, which served as the headquarters and training ground for Huang Dingfeng’s anti-Qing rebel army, covering an area of over 20 mu. Barracks and gatehouses were once built here, though only ruins remain today.

　　Huang Dingfeng (1830~1864)　　Huang Dingfeng (1830–1864) was of the Zhuang ethnic group. His childhood name was Te Pang San, also known as Huang San. A native of Guixian (now Guigang), he joined the Triad Society in 1849 and participated in the peasant uprising led by Triad leader Zhang Jiaxiang. In 1850, he followed Zhang Jiaxiang in surrendering to the Qing army. In the summer of 1853, he fled from Wuhan back to Guixian, later setting up a Heroes' Hall in Qintang Town and the Hongshun Hall in Huanglian Town, recruiting numerous supporters for the anti-Qing and Ming-restoration cause. He established a stronghold in Huanglian Gorge. In the summer of 1855, when Chen Kai occupied Xunzhou (now Guiping) and established the Da Cheng Kingdom, Huang Dingfeng joined the rebellion. He cooperated with Li Wenmao’s forces from the Da Cheng Kingdom to defeat local militias, capture Guixian County, and rename it Huai City. He was appointed as a general.... Details+