Relics of Hong Xiuquan’s Activities in Cifeng Village

　　Cifeng Village is located in Qigu Village, Qingfeng, present-day Guigang City. It was the first foothold of Hong Xiuquan when he came to Guangxi to carry out revolutionary activities and also the first site of the Taiping Rebellion. Currently, in the square of the village primary school stands a monument built by the People's Government of Guixian County. The main inscription on the monument reads: "Revolutionary Activity Site of Heavenly King Hong Xiuquan." The upper inscription states: "From 1844 to 1847, Hong Xiuquan came here to propagate and organize revolutionary activities," while the lower inscription says: "Erected by the People's Government of Guixian County, January 1988."

　　In May 1844 (the fourth month of the 24th year of the Daoguang reign in the Qing Dynasty), Hong Xiuquan came to Cifeng Village from Shangfengchuan, Lianshan, Guangdong, together with Feng Yushan. He stayed at the home of his cousin Wang Shengjun. In 1847, he returned to Cifeng Village for a second time to teach while propagating and organizing the God Worshipping Society, recruiting followers. He left behind many relics, mainly including:

　　Threshold stone, 1.5 meters long and weighing about 100 kilograms, with carvings of stone deer on both sides. This was the threshold stone of the study where Hong Xiuquan taught during that time.

　　This stone is currently placed in front of the house of Huang Qingsheng in Cifeng Village.

　　Stone stools: Hong Xiuquan used six stone stools while teaching. Two of them still remain.

　　Mahuichong God Worshipping Society Relics: Located in Mahuichong behind Cifeng Village, this was the place where members held their initiation ceremonies.

　　Heavenly King Well: Located at the western intersection of Cifeng Village, the well is built with mountain rocks. It is approximately 2 meters deep, 2.5 meters wide at the opening, oval-shaped, with stone steps at the mouth. In 1979, it was filled in by locals for vegetable planting, but was restored by the People's Government of Guixian County in 1988. The well was advocated for construction by Hong Xiuquan to solve the local villagers' water shortage issues, hence the name "Heavenly King Well."

　　"Demon-Slaying" Site: At the foot of Liuwu Mountain to the north of Cifeng Village lies the Liuwu Temple, which enshrined statues of a man and a woman. Local landlords and gentry exploited the temple to extort money from peasants. In 1844, Hong Xiuquan led followers to destroy the male and female statues in the temple and wrote the poem "Denouncing the Liuwu Demons" on the temple wall (the original poem is recorded in the 1862 published "Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Imprinted Books" and the chapter "Taiping Tianri"). The temple has since been destroyed.

　　Luopowan Dam: Built by Hong Xiuquan to mediate local disputes over water conservancy, the dam is 75 meters long, 3 meters wide, and 4.5 meters wide at the base. It was constructed in 1844 and still remains today.

　　Hong Xiuquan (1814~1864)　　Hong Xiuquan (1814–1864), nickname Huoxiu, clan name Renkun, later changed his name to Xiutian to avoid the naming taboo of "Heavenly Father" Ye Haohua. Born into a peasant family in Guanlu  Village, Huaxian County (some sources say he was born in Fuyuanshui Village before the whole family moved to Guanlu  Village), his ancestor Hong   San migrated from Shikeng Village, Jiaoyingzhou to Huaxian County during the Kangxi era, making Hong Xiuquan the sixth-generation descendant. His father, Jingyang, was hardworking, simple, and fair, having served as the “Baozun” of Guanlu  Village and was highly respected for managing village affairs and mediating disputes among clansmen. Hong Xiuquan entered the village’s study hall at the age of seven... Details+

　　Feng Yushan (1815~1852)　　Feng Yushan (1815–1852), also known as Yilong, styled Shaoguang, was a native of Huaxian County, Guangdong (now part of Guangzhou City). Since childhood, he loved to read classics, history, astronomy, and geography. He once participated in imperial examinations but later set up a private school in his village, working as a tutor. In the 23rd year of the Daoguang reign (1843), Hong Xiuquan founded the God Worshipping Society in his hometown, and Feng Yushan became one of his loyal followers. To propagate the “God Worshipping Society,” Feng destroyed and burned all the Buddhist and Confucian statues and tablets in his home, including those of Confucius and Mencius. Due to his bold actions and the propagation of the new faith, he faced opposition from some villagers and consequently lost his teaching position. In the 2... Details+