About Zhang Guoliang
Lived 1810 – 1860 (aged 49–50). Zhang Guoliang was a Chinese military personnel.
Zhang Guoliang (; 1810 – April 1860), born in Guangdong, was a Field Marshal for the Qing dynasty. He was born in Gaoyao, Zhaoqing, Guangdong, although Qing stated that he was from Meixian, Guangdong. He was originally a bandit in Guangxi but later joined the Qing Army. He helped to raise the Green Standard Army to 250,000 to fight against the Taiping Rebellion. In the second rout of Army Group Jiangnan in 1860 he was defeated by Li Xiucheng. Zeng Guofan praised Zhang and said he was Jiangnan's "Great Wall of China."
Life When the Battle of Nanjing (1853) began, Zhang accepted a SOS order from Nanjing, he and his 15,000 men were the first troops to arrive and save Nanjing. In 1856, Zhang Guoliang led his army in the recovery of Zhenjiang, which had been occupied by Taiping for five years. The Emperor rewarded Zhang with the Imperial yellow jacket and promoted him to First Class Senior General. In April 1860, Zhang was defeated and led his remaining 20,000 soldiers in retreat to Danyang. He left the city on horseback and drowned while trying to escape. His body was not found immediately; it was eventually buried in the Nanjing Pantheon.
Awards Baturu in 1853 Imperial yellow jacket in 1857 Baron Yiyong of the First Class
Don’t just read it —
keep it.
Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.
- E-book
- Audio
- Video
Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free
Important facts
People in Zhang Guoliang's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Zhang Guoliang's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Zhang Guoliang?
Chinese general (1810–1860)
When was Zhang Guoliang born?
Zhang Guoliang was born in 1810 in Meizhou.
When did Zhang Guoliang die?
Zhang Guoliang died on 1 April 1860 in Danyang.
What was Zhang Guoliang's occupation?
Zhang Guoliang was a military personnel.
What nationality was Zhang Guoliang?
Zhang Guoliang was Chinese.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Zhang Guoliang. https://biography.guide/zhang-guoliang/
MLA: "Zhang Guoliang." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/zhang-guoliang/.
Chicago: "Zhang Guoliang." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/zhang-guoliang/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
Page generated 2026-09-27 05:14 UTC