Taiping Kingdom History Museum

The Taiping Kingdom History Museum is a history museum located in the Zhanyuan Garden complex in Nanjing, housed within historic residential buildings. The collection includes weapons, uniforms, personal items, letters, and printed materials that reveal how people lived and fought during this conflict.

The rebellion against Qing Dynasty rule lasted from 1851 to 1864 and was one of the deadliest conflicts of that era. The building itself once housed Yang Xiuqing, one of the movement's senior commanders, before it was later converted into a memorial space.

The movement drew followers who blended Christian concepts with Chinese philosophical traditions in ways that shaped their daily beliefs and decisions during this period. Walking through the rooms, you notice how these mixed ideas appeared in the objects people made and used.

The museum is spread across a larger garden complex, so allow time to explore the grounds and watch for directional signs. The rooms are distributed through historic buildings, so be prepared to walk through multiple areas and explore in different directions.

Inside you will find preserved coins and paper money made during the Taiping Kingdom, a rare sign of efforts to build a complete state system. An exhibition also displays detailed sketches and models of fortifications used during the siege of Nanjing.