Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum

Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum is built for commemorating Dr. Sun Yat-sen, who is the great forerunner of China Democratic Revolution. Sheltered by hill slopes, the mausoleum faces the south, and consists of a semi-circular square, memorial archways, tomb passage, the gate tablet pavilion, memorial hall and coffin chamber. The mausoleum is in the pattern of a "clock of freedom", wishing the whole world would take the democratic road.

The Sun Yat-sen is recognized as the father of Modern China by the Communists and Kuomingtang. He passed away in Beijing in 1925. Construction of his mausoleum started in January of 1926, completed in 1929.

The Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum was built back on green mountains. It is built in a combined Chinese and Western architectural style and is shaped like an alarm clock. Main buildings of the mausoleum consist of Memorial Archway of Universal Fraternity, Mausoleum Gate, Tablet Pavilion, Sacrificial Hall and Coffin Chamber, staircase, etc.. They are all lined along a central axis, which reflects the traditional style of Chinese architecture.

After entering the Mausoleum, you will see granite memorial archway, on which there are two Chinese characters “博爱” that was written by Sun Yat-sen. Walk northward from “博爱” archway, there is a 400-meter path leading to the Mausoleum, which has a total of 392 stone steps and a drop of 73 meters. Walk along the path, you will reach the gate of the Mausoleum. Step forwards, you will reach Sacrificial Hall and the Burial Room. But to reach of the top of the Mausoleum, you need to climb up the 392 stone steps. Once in a while there will be a flat platform for rest. There is a visual technique design about the stair path. From a top-down perspective, you can only see flat platforms with no stairs; From a bottom-u perspective, you can only see only stairs with no flat platforms.

On the top of the hill is the main building of the Mausoleum - Sacrificial Hall, which is palace imitation style architecture. There are three arched doors, on top of which are carved with Chinese characters “民主” “民权” ”民生”, which is a idea put up by Sun Yat-sen. In the middle of the hall stands a statue of Sun Yat-sen made of white marble. On the base of the statue carved six reliefs, which depict the Sun Yat-sen engaging in the revolutionary activities. There is a dual bronze door inside the Sacrificial Hall, and there is a circular burial chamber after walking through the door, with a microscler coffin pit in the middle of it. In the centre of the microscler coffin is a recumbent statue of Dr Sun Yat-sen by Czech sculptor Bohuslav J. Koci. Dr Sun rests in peace in a copper coffin underneath the statue.

Except fot the tomb complex, there are also Yin Yue Tai (Musical Platform), Guanghua Pavilion, Liu Wei Pavilion, Zhongshan Academy, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, Xingjian Pavilion, etc. These buildings artistic value are all famous masterpieces of great architecture masters. You can take the opportunity to watch them if time allows. 

 

Travel Guide

【Chinese name】: 中山陵
【Best time to visit】: It is recommended to visit from March to Mar or September to early November. June to August is hot with many rainy days. December to February next year is winter and cold.
【How to get to Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum in Nanjing】: You may take Bus Route 游1, 游2, 游3, 9 or 34 and get off at Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum Station. Or you may take Subway Line 2 to Xia Ma Fang Station, then transfer to Bur Route 34 or walk to get to the spot.