Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum

Introducing Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum
Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum is situated at the foot of the second peak of Purple Mountain in Nanjing. Construction of Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum started in January 1926, and was finished in spring of 1929.

Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum serves as a powerful tribute to the life and accomplishments of Dr. Sun Yat-sen (1866-1925), widely regarded as the “Father of Modern China.” The mausoleum covers an impressive 80,000 square meters (19.77 acres) and is considered one of China’s greatest modern architectural achievements.

Dr. Sun Yat-sen played a pivotal role in shaping China’s history, leading the democratic revolution that ultimately ended the country’s 2000-year-old feudal monarchy. The construction of the great man’s mausoleum began in January 1926 and was completed in the spring of 1929. The mausoleum’s historical significance, stunning architecture, and scenic beauty earned it the designation of a national protected site in 1961, ensuring its preservation for future generations.

Today, the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum remains a top tourist destination in Nanjing, attracting visitors from all over the world. People come to pay their respects to Dr. Sun Yat-sen and marvel at the architectural splendor of the mausoleum.

Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum Fast Facts
• Chinese Name: Zhong Shan Ling 中山陵
• Best Time to Visit: March to November
• Recommended Visiting Hours: About 2 to 3 hours
• Things to Do: Photography, Chinese History and Culture
• Opening Hours: 08:30-17:00 Tuesday to Sunday
• Entrance Fee: Free; CNY10 for Open-air Music Hall; CNY 35 for Linggu Scenic Area; CNY 70 for Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum; CNY 30 for Meiling Palace; CNY 100 for combo ticket including Open-air Music Hall, Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, Linggu Temple and Meiling Palace.
• Address: No. 7 Shixiang Road, Xuanwu District, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province

What to expect at Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum
Prepare to be amazed by the mausoleum’s breathtaking beauty and the profound symbolism woven into every aspect of its design. Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum’s remarkable architecture resembles a reclining bell when viewed from above. The Xiaojing Cauldron represents the bell’s pointed top, the semi-circular plaza forms its curved dome, and the burial chamber’s domed top resembles a bell clapper, symbolizing Sun Yat-sen’s commitment to awakening the people and establishing the republic. This architectural ingenuity sets the mausoleum apart from other memorial structures.

Xiaojing Cauldron
This monumental cauldron, standing an impressive 4.25 meters (14 ft) high and weighing about 5 tons, commands attention with its sheer size and intricate design.

The magnificent bronze structure consists of three distinct parts: a drum-shaped base adorned with intricate patterns and a central five-pointed star; three elegantly crafted supporting legs, each bearing an open-mouthed lion head decoration; and the main cauldron body with its two upright handles. The rounded belly of the cauldron creates a graceful silhouette, showcasing the artistic craftsmanship and symbolic elements of this impressive bronze piece.

On one side, the words “Wisdom, Benevolence, and Courage” (智、仁、勇) are cast in traditional Chinese calligraphy. On the opposite side, “Loyalty, Filial Piety, Benevolence, Love, Faithfulness, Righteousness, and Peace” (忠孝仁爱信义和平) are similarly inscribed, reinforcing the cauldron’s role as a vessel for timeless values and ideals.

The Gate of Universal Love
The Gate of Universal Love, also known as the Bo’ai Gate, serves as the entrance through which visitors must pass to pay their respects at the mausoleum.
Standing at an imposing height of 11 meters (36 ft) and spanning a width of 17.3 meters (56.8 ft), the grand four-pillar gate soars majestically towards the sky. The top is adorned with blue glazed tiles, while the pillar bases rest on large, rectangular stone platforms. Intricate carvings of lotus petal patterns, clouds, and decorative motifs reminiscent of ancient architectural paintings embellish the gate, adding to its visual appeal and reflecting the influence of traditional Chinese architectural styles.

At the center of the gate, visitors can find a stone plaque bearing the calligraphic inscription “博爱” (Universal Love) in Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s own handwriting. Dr. Sun had a penchant for writing these two characters, which conveyed his philosophy of inclusiveness and compassion, and gifting them to others. This association led to Nanjing being dubbed the “City of Universal Love,” underscoring the lasting impact of Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s revolutionary ideals on the city and its populace.

The 392 Steps to the Mausoleum
To reach the mausoleum, visitors must ascend 392 steps, which hold both symbolic and historical significance. The 392 steps are interspersed with eight platforms, representing the Three Principles of the People (三民主义) and the Five-Power Constitution (五权宪法), two key elements of Sun Yat-sen’s political philosophy. The number of steps is not arbitrary; it symbolizes the population of China at the time, which was approximately 392 million people.

The most striking part is the meticulous calculation of the height of each step. When visitors reach the summit and look back, they cannot see each step that they have trodden on, but only the platforms. Conversely, when viewed from the bottom, only the steps are visible, while the platforms remain hidden. This ingenious design serves as a metaphor for the journey to success and achievement, illustrating that the path to the top consists of many small steps, while the milestones along the way remain unseen until they are reached.

The Memorial Hall
A grand and imposing structure, the Memorial Hall stands as an architectural marvel. Its exterior is entirely crafted from granite, a material celebrated for its enduring durability and strength. Inside the hall, what immediately captures the attention is the impressive 4.6-meter-high (15 ft) statue of Sun Yat-sen himself. Sculpted from pristine white marble, the seated figure exudes an aura of contemplation and wisdom. Sun Yat-sen is depicted in traditional robes, a scroll held in his hands, his gaze seemingly lost in deep thought, as if pondering the future of his nation. The statue’s base further emphasizes his legacy with six relief carvings depicting key moments from his revolutionary life, capturing the struggles and triumphs that shaped his journey as a revolutionary leader.

The Burial Chamber
The heart of the mausoleum is the burial chamber, a circular room with an impressive diameter of 18 meters (59 ft) and a height of 11 meters (36 ft). The chamber’s ceiling features an impressive mosaic depicting the emblem of the Kuomintang party, while the floor is adorned with pristine white marble. The central focus of the chamber is Sun Yat-sen’s tomb, an elongated structure measuring 4 meters (13 ft) in diameter and 5 meters (16 ft) deep, sealed with reinforced concrete. Atop the tomb lies a striking statue of Sun Yat-sen, skillfully sculpted from white jade, capturing his likeness in a reposeful state. Sun Yat-sen’s remains are encased in a bronze coffin within the tomb.

While visitors can observe the statue from behind protective white jade railings, access to the chamber itself is restricted to major holidays to ensure both visitor safety and the tomb’s preservation.

How to get to Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum
• By Bus: Take bus 20 to Mingxiaoling tingchechang Station.
• By Subway: Take subway line 2 to Muxuyuan Station.
• Charter a car/bus from GGC to enjoy a hassle free private transfer from hotels in Nanjing to Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum.

Additional travel advice on Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum
• Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum is closed on Mondays, except for Chinese statutory holidays and the anniversaries of Sun Yat-sen’s birth and death.
• Visitors can go to nearby attraction sites Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum and Linggu Temple by sightseeing bus, battery car or small train.
• Please keep quiet and do not take photos in the Burial Chamber.