Overview
Jingxi City has one of the most concentrated populations of Zhuang people. The Zhuang are China's largest ethnic minority and number more than nineteen million, mostly living in Guangxi Province and Eastern Yunnan in the southwest of China. Their ancestors are the ancient Yue people of South China who first had contact with the Han people around 3,000 B.C.. In historical documents, they have been known by these names, the Li, the Wuhu, the Liao, and the Liang.

Most of the information regarding Jingxi history comes from various wars fought over control of the land. From the emperor dynasties to the time of the warlords, the Zhuang have fought Japanese aggression and French imperialism near the border of Vietnam.

Madame Wa
One famous incident involved Madam Wa whose birthplace is in Jingxi county. In 1547, Japanese invaders landed on the coastal areas of Zhejiang and Fujian. The Ming court officials asked the "Liang soldiers" of Guangxi to come help resist the Japanese. The wife of a Tianyang chieftain, Madame Wa received the draft order, but her son was too young to serve in the army. So she asked if she could lead the "Liang soldiers" herself on the expedition. In the spring of 1554, the army led by Madame Wa, after trudging over several thousand miles, arrived at the front.

Madame Wa enforced the military law very strictly. By her order, all soldiers were to be put to death who retreated, deserted, spread rumors or stole money. She also demanded that her soldiers maintain military discipline in relationship with civilians, and would not allow them to take anything from the people. Her troops were warmly welcomed by the people wherever they went.

The "Liang soldiers" under Madame Wa's command were very brave in fighting, and won famous battles in Jiaxing, Zhejiang Province and Lujingba, Jiangsu Province. Madame Wa's army was rewarded by the Ming court and highly praised by the people of Zhejiang and Jiangsu. In 1555, Madame Wa returned to her home town, and died soon afterwards at the age of 59.

Black Banner Army
In 1800s and 1880s the French were resisted by the Black Banner Army led by Liu Yongfu. The Black Banner Army was originally the remnant of a peasant uprising army led by the Zhuang generals, Wu Lingyun and Wu Yazhong. When the French occupied Hanoi and were pushing ahead along the Red River towards the Chinese southwest border, the Black Banner Army marched to the front and drove the French out of Hanoi and the Red River delta twice. After that, the French avoided the Black Banner Army and began attacking the Qing government army which then retreated. However, the Zhuang armies continued to have victory until the Qing government capitulated to France. The graves of these warriors are located in the cemetery at Dalongtan Reservoir.