The Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum (中山陵), located in Nanjing, China, is a significant historical and cultural site that commemorates the life and achievements of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, often referred to as the “Father of Modern China.” This majestic mausoleum stands atop the picturesque Purple Mountain and is considered a symbol of China’s republican revolution.
The mausoleum was built after Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s death in 1925 and completed in 1929. It encompasses an area of over 80,000 square meters and features a blend of traditional Chinese and modern architectural styles. Its grand entrance is adorned with a marble archway, inscribed with the words “The World Belongs to the People.”
As visitors ascend the impressive stairway, they are greeted by lush gardens and serene pathways leading to the main hall. At the heart of the mausoleum lies the solemn burial chamber, where Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s remains are interred. The chamber is elegantly designed with intricate carvings and statues that depict important moments from Sun Yat-sen’s life.
The Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum not only serves as a final resting place but also as a place of remembrance and education. It is visited by countless tourists and locals who come to pay their respects and learn about the ideals and vision of Dr. Sun Yat-sen. The mausoleum also houses a museum that displays historical artifacts, documents, and photographs related to Dr. Sun and the revolutionary period.
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- Map of Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum
- Highlights of Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum
- Vlog about Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum
- Facts about Sun Yat-sen
- Attractions Near Sun Yat-Sen Mausoleum
Basic Information
| Website | http://zschina.nanjing.gov.cn/ |
| Estimated Length of Tour | 2 hours |
| Ticket Price | Free |
| Opening Hours | 8.30 – 17.00 throughout the year The burial chamber is only open from Tuesday to Friday The mausoleum is closed on Mondays |
| Telephone Number | 0086-025-84433582 |
Location and Transportation
The Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum stands atop the scenic Purple Mountain, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. The precise address of the mausoleum is No. 1 Zhongshanling Road, Xuanwu District Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China. To get there, you can choose the following ways:
- Take bus No. 34 and get off at Sun Yat-sen parking lot. Transfer to Sight-seeing bus No.2 or walk to the entrance.
- The nearest metro station to the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum is Xiamafang on line 2. Transfer to bus No.34 and follow the above route.
- Or you can directly walk from the hill foot to the Mausoleum. It is only 2.4 kilometers away.
Map of Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum
Highlights of Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum
Grand Entrance
The Bo’ai Arch stands at the entrance of Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum. This granite memorial archway features two large golden Chinese characters, “博爱” (Bo’ai, meaning “universal love”), handwritten by Sun Yat-sen himself. Built in 1930, the arch is a traditional three-gate structure, standing 11 meters tall and 17.3 meters wide. It is supported by four stone pillars connected by six horizontal beams, reflecting a strong influence of traditional Chinese architectural style.
Designed in the form of classical wooden structures, the arch is constructed from massive Fujian granite. Its roof is adorned with blue glazed tiles, adding a distinct aesthetic touch. At the base of the four stone pillars are large rectangular stone pedestals, with decorative drum stones placed at the front and back. The surface of the arch is intricately carved with patterns of lotus petals, clouds, and traditional architectural motifs, enhancing its historical and artistic value.
Majestic Stairway
The Second Gate is located at the end of the mausoleum path and serves as the main entrance to Sun Yat-sen’s Mausoleum. In front of the gate is a large cement platform, with a flight of 20 steps leading up to the entrance. The gate faces south and has a rectangular layout, measuring 27 meters wide, 16.5 meters high, and 8.8 meters deep. It is entirely constructed from Fujian granite.
Above the central doorway on the southern side, a stone plaque bears the inscription “天下为公” (“The world belongs to all”), written in Sun Yat-sen’s own calligraphy. From the Second Gate to the Hall of Tribute, there are 392 stone steps arranged in eight sections, with a total elevation difference of 73 meters. These 392 steps symbolize the then-population of the Republic of China, which was 392 million. The steps are made of Suzhou granite. At the highest platform stand two decorative huabiao (ornamental columns), behind which lies the Hall of Tribute.
Hall of Tribute
The Hall of Tribute is the main structure of Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, located at the highest peak of the site. It blends Chinese and Western architectural styles and stands 28.7 meters high, 30 meters long, and 24.7 meters wide. The southern facade features three arched entrances with intricately designed bronze double doors. Above these doorways, inscriptions read “Democracy,” “Civil Rights,” and “People’s Livelihood.” The central door bears a vertical plaque with Sun Yat-sen’s handwritten phrase, “天地正气” (“The noble spirit of heaven and earth”).
At the center of the hall is a 4.6-meter-tall seated statue of Sun Yat-sen, sculpted from Italian white marble by French artist Paul Landowski in Paris. Surrounding the hall are bas-reliefs depicting Sun Yat-sen’s revolutionary achievements. The eastern and western walls are inscribed with Sun Yat-sen’s Outline of National Reconstruction in his own handwriting, along with The Testament of the Premier, written by Hu Hanmin and others. The hall’s dome is adorned with a large emblem of the Kuomintang (Nationalist Party).
Burial Chamber
The interior of the Hall of Tribute contains a circular burial chamber, measuring 18 meters in diameter and 11 meters in height. Located at an altitude of 165 meters, the chamber is 700 meters from the starting point, with a vertical drop of 73 meters. The chamber’s ceiling is decorated with a mosaic of the Kuomintang party emblem, while the floor is paved with white marble.
At the center lies a long-shaped tomb, with a white marble reclining statue of Sun Yat-sen sculpted by Czech artist Gottfried Götz based on the body’s likeness. Beneath the statue is Sun Yat-sen’s final resting place, placed in an American-made bronze coffin. The tomb measures 4 meters in diameter and 5 meters in depth, sealed with reinforced concrete. Visitors can walk around the circular chamber, viewing the reclining statue on the coffin from behind a white marble railing.
Amphitheatre
The Amphitheatre is located to the southeast of the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum Square. It was built between 1932 and 1933 during the 21st and 22nd years of the Republic of China, with a cost of 95,000 yuan. The amphitheatre covers an area of approximately 4,200 square meters and was designed by Guan Songsheng and Yang Tingbao.
The Amphitheatre is part of the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum’s supporting structures, primarily used for music performances and speeches during ceremonies commemorating Sun Yat-sen. Its architectural style blends both Chinese and Western elements. The design integrates natural surroundings, incorporating the features of ancient Greek architecture in its layout and elevation. In terms of detailed design, however, it draws heavily from the classical gardens of Southern China, particularly in the treatment of structures such as the screen wall and the music stage.
Museum and Exhibits
The Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall consists of three main sections: the Scripture Tower, the Three Principles of the People Stone Carving Gallery, and the Monk’s Quarters. Covering an area of over 9,500 square meters, the Memorial Hall is nestled in the dense forest between Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum and Linggu Temple, designed in the classical style of a Qing Dynasty Lama Temple.
The Memorial Hall was designed by the renowned architect Lu Shusen and was completed in the winter of 1936, during the 25th year of the Republic of China. It stands as one of the many commemorative buildings within the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum Complex.
The main building of the Memorial Hall rises to a height of 20.8 meters, with a green glazed tile roof and a yellow glazed tile ridge. The central part of the ridge is adorned with a copper Huagao, a decorative umbrella-like structure. The beams, columns, and lintels are all elaborately painted. Inside, the hall houses classic works and precious historical materials, such as photographs of Sun Yat-sen and his famous writings.
In front of the building, on a flower platform at the center of the square, stands a 2.6-meter-tall bronze statue of Sun Yat-sen. Behind the hall is a 125-meter-long stone gallery, engraved with the full text of his work, The Three Principles of the People.
Today, there were quite a few people at the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum. It was really smart to rent an electric bike for 50 yuan a day. When parking, I spent 10 yuan to buy pigeon food; along the way, some were available for 1 yuan a pack and others for 5 yuan a pack, so don’t pay too much! There weren’t many people at the Meiling Palace.
Nanjing Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum
There are a lot of people, way too many. It’s so crowded you can’t move!
Nanjing is still very cold in the rain.
It’s a very clean city.
If you have time, you can come and stroll around quietly.
The view from the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum is incredibly expansive, making you feel like you can see all the small mountains around. The music pavilion was very crowded, mostly with people taking pictures, so I think the 10 yuan entrance fee is a bit overpriced for what you get.
In mid to late November, the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum is absolutely stunning. It features not only the beautiful Phoenix Avenue and the water firs by Yanque Lake, but also the sweet gum trees in the botanical garden.
The first sunny day after the National Day holiday is truly beautiful on Wutong Avenue (梧桐大道).
Zhongshan Mausoleum is definitely worth a visit! There are 392 steps; when you look up from the bottom, all you see are stairs, and when you look down from the top, all you see are platforms. Once you reach the summit, the view is expansive, and you feel a sense of refreshment and peace.
The place is crowded with tourists, the weather is quite hot, and the trees are very tall.
The Music Stage is currently under construction. There are not many pigeons around, but all the people are crowded together in the corridors, making the experience very poor.
Crowded and scorching hot, there were no crowd control measures in the place. The entire area felt like there were only two sightseeing vehicles available, leading to a 2-hour wait in line. Even after boarding the sightseeing vehicle, it was still stuck in traffic the whole way. If you plan on visiting, definitely avoid holidays and peak seasons.
For dining at the scenic spots, you can go to the Crystal Seafood Buffet inside the Dongjiao State Guest Hotel (东郊国宾馆), a place loved by locals. The quality and service are excellent, and you can taste various Nanjing specialties such as roast duck, salted duck, duck blood vermicelli, Meiling porridge, sugar yam shoots, chicken broth wontons, as well as imported salmon, tuna, abalone, horseshoe crab, Rushan oysters, black tiger shrimp, scallops, mussels, shrimp, papaya stewed with snow clam, desserts, and… Read more »