First of all, a distinctive feature of Zeng Guofan’s thought is the emphasis on practice. Zeng Guofan paid attention to practice throughout his life and never talked about theory. He constantly explores problems in practice, sums up experience, and continuously improves. In his ideological system, practice is the top priority, emphasizing the importance of practice and the unity of practice and theory.

Secondly, another characteristic of Zeng Guofan’s thought is the emphasis on talents. Zeng Guofan believed that the prosperity and development of a country cannot be separated from the support of talents. He emphasized the need to select talents, pay attention to the training and selection of talents, and establish a sound talent training system and selection mechanism. He also put forward the slogan "Put what you learn into practice" to encourage people to learn practical knowledge and improve their practical abilities.

Thirdly, another characteristic of Zeng Guofan’s thought is the emphasis on education. Zeng Guofan was well aware of the importance of education. He advocated education for all and advocated that all people should receive education and continuously improve their knowledge and cultural quality. He also emphasized the practicality of education and believed that education should be closely integrated with real life to help people better adapt to society and life.

Finally, another characteristic of Zeng Guofan’s thought is the emphasis on morality. Zeng Guofan believed that a person's moral character determines his destiny and career. He advocated that people should follow moral norms, promote traditional Chinese virtues, and create a good social atmosphere.

To sum up, the characteristics of Zeng Guofan’s thought mainly include emphasizing practice, emphasizing talents, emphasizing education and emphasizing morality. These ideological characteristics not only influenced Zeng Guofan's own life, but also profoundly influenced the process of modern Chinese history and the ideas of the Chinese people.