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History–Tours
18501850–1864 · Nanjing

The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom

The main hall of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom History Museum in Nanjing's Zhan Garden
Photo: ScareCriterion12. CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Hong Xiuquan, a failed examination candidate who believed himself the younger brother of Jesus, led a rebellion out of Guangxi in 1850. In 1853 his armies took Nanjing and made it the Heavenly Capital of a state that banned opium and foot-binding. Qing forces recaptured the city in 1864. The war killed perhaps 20 million people, the deadliest conflict of the century.

Sites

  1. Site 1: Taiping Heavenly Kingdom History Museum, Zhan GardenA Ming garden used by a Taiping king, with displays of weapons, coins and edicts.Map ↗
  2. Site 2: Presidential PalaceThe site of Hong Xiuquan's palace, later the Republic of China's seat of government.Map ↗

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