Looking for Zuogong's story in Hami

The first attraction upon entering Xinjiang is the Zuogong Cultural Garden in Hami. The famous story of 'Carrying the Coffin to Battle' is about the 68-year-old Zuo Zongtang carrying a coffin from Suzhou (Jiuquan) to Hami, vowing to reclaim Xinjiang for the Qing Dynasty. In 1864, a Hui rebellion broke out in Xinjiang. Taking advantage of the situation, Agubai, a noble from the Central Asian Khanate of Kokand, unified southern and northern Xinjiang and established the 'Khanate of Hongfu,' receiving support from Britain and Russia. At this time, the impoverished and weakened Qing government was unable to cope. Li Hongzhang and others proposed abandoning Xinjiang, but Zuo Zongtang strongly advocated for its reclamation and received support from Empress Dowager Cixi. Appointed as the imperial commissioner, he stationed himself in Suzhou, personally formulated strategies, raised military funds, and reclaimed most of Xinjiang's territory, leaving only Ili under Russian control. In May 1880, Zuo Zongtang moved his headquarters from Suzhou to Hami, stationed at Phoenix Terrace, personally garrisoned 40,000 troops, and had Liu Jintang feign an attack on Ili to support Zeng Jize in negotiations with the Russians. Eventually, they reclaimed Ili, preserving the integrity of the Qing territory. During his nearly six-month stay in Hami, he developed irrigation, stored grain, repaired roads, and planted mulberry and willow trees, laying the foundation for Xinjiang's stable development. Many people say that without Zuo Zongtang, China would have lost the beautiful land of Xinjiang. Zuogong's legacy is eternal, and his noble spirit endures. Looking up at the beautiful sky and white clouds, we are immensely grateful. 📍 Detailed Address: 140 meters northwest of the intersection of Guangdong Road and Yanhe Alley, Yizhou District, located within People's Park, close to Yuyuan and the National Fitness Park; 🕙 Opening Hours: Open park, the memorial hall closes at noon and at 8 PM; 🌟 Highlights: The history of Zuo Zongtang and the story of reclaiming Xinjiang, Zuogong Willow; ⏳ Visiting Time: 1 hour for the Zuogong Memorial Hall, half a day for the entire park.