Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Tomb

» Nanjing, Jiang Su

Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Tomb Overview & Map Weather Transportation Information

The keynote of the Sacrifice Hall, main body of Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Tomb, was set in white, black, and blue, which are Chinese traditional colors for mourning. However, the colorful glasses discover the Western flavor. The combination of Chinese and Western styles is just like the sprite and manner of Dr Sun, who mastered the knowledge of Chinese and Western.

Something about Dr. Sun Yat-sen

Dr. Sun Yat-sen, forefather of the Chinese revolutions, led the Chinese people against the Qing Dynasty in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was remembered as a national hero who brought China from a feudal, semi-colonial society in to a republican one. He was greatly respected by Chinese people of different parties and nationalities and was honored as "Father of the Country" by the Nationalist Party.

Who designed it

The designing of the tomb attracted many architects and after extensive and intensive studies of all the designs, the present one was selected. The designer, Lv Yanzhi, put the main constructions such as the Memorial Arch, Tablet Pavilion, Sacrificing Hall and Coffin Chamber on the central axis and shaped the whole mausoleum as like a bell which symbolized the noble spirit and heroic efforts of Dr. Sun who contributed himself to wake up the Chinese people against oppression and aggressions.

Facing south, the structures, along with the mountain ascends gradually along with the central axis line running from south to the north and is regarded as the most outstanding mausoleum in Chinese modern architectural history.

Getting around

The majestic mausoleum's construction was started in 1926 and completed in 1929. After your visit of this mausoleum, you will have learned a lot about the Chinese modern history in the late 19th century and early 20th century, a drastic transitional period in Chinese history.

The half-moon square

Traveling along the marble road, firstly you will arrive at half-moon square in the south of the Tomb. It is understated and modest, while endowing grandeur to the Tomb.

Paifang (memorial archway)

Then at the entrance to the mausoleum stands the great marble Paifang (memorial archway) on which is written 'Bo Ai' meaning 'love'. Through it there is a Passway of 480 meters (about 1574 feet) long and 40 meters (about 131 feet) wide, on both sides of which stand orderly pine and cypresses trees.

The Frontispiece

Continuing forward to the end of the Passway, there is the Frontispiece, standing some 16.5 meters (about 54 feet) high and 27 meters (about 88 feet) wide. The Frontispiece has three archways, each of which has a pair of symmetrical enchased copper gates. Four Chinese characters are inscribed on the lintel over the doorways written by Dr. Sun Yat-sen meaning 'the world is commonwealth', which fully explains the cause he struggled for during his life.

The marble pavilion

Through the Frontispiece is a pavilion made of marble, in which a great stele, 9 meters (about 29 feet) high and 4 meters (about 13 feet) wide, was erected by Kuomintang in memory of Dr. Sun Yat-sen. On the stele there are carved just 24 Chinese characters and no epitaph as people think that there are no words capable of representing this giant of modern China.

The Sacrifice Hall

Through the pavilion, climbing along the stairs upward, the Sacrifice Hall is your next encounter. Here is the highest place of the Mausoleum, some 158 meters (about 518 feet) high. The Sacrificial Hall is located in the center of this plateau.

Above the door was inscribed with four characters "Tian Di Zheng Qi" ("Healthy Atmosphere between the Heaven and the Earth") written by Dr. Sun. Around the Sacrificial Hall, there are two 12.6-meter-high (about 41 feet) Huabiao, ornamental columns like those in Tiananmen Square.

The statue of Dr. Sun Yat-sen

There is a 4.6-meter-high granite reposing statue of Dr. Sun Yat-sen in the hall. It was carve by a famous French sculpture out of the Italian granite. The statue is vivid and looks alive; Dr Sun was dressed in a long robe and a mandarin jacket and sat there quietly. On the granite wall carved with his posthumous work - The article of The Fundamentals of National Reconstruction.

The keynote of the Sacrifice hall was set in white, black, and blue, which are Chinese traditional colors for mourning. However, the colorful glasses discover the Western flavor. The combination of Chinese and Western styles is just like the sprite and manner of Dr Sun, who mastered the knowledge of Chinese and Western.

The Tomb Chamber

Then, you come to the Tomb Chamber. It is hemisphere-close building. The tomb vault is in the middle. On the top of it is the reposing statue of Dr. Sun and his body was buried inside. The whole building is simple but momentous.

392 stone stairs

Besides it is the tomb of the great Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Tomb is also an outcome of the ingenious architects. For example, the numerous stone stairs was design ingeniously. It has 10 sections and 392 flights in total. Every section has a lever terrace.

When you stand at the foot of the stairs and look up, you will see the continuous stone stairs. You can see the top stair but you cannot see the lever terrace, and vice versa. The figure 392 was not a coincidence. It represents the 392 million people from all nationalities in China at that time. The figure is a symbol that the 392 million people are paying respects to the forerunner who brought them the conception of democracy, freedom, and ruling by law.

Getting there

• City bus: No.9
  
• Tourist bus: No.1, 3.

Attractions around » Nanjing, Jiang Su

Natural Scene

• Lake Xuanwuhu
• Qinhuai River

Historical Site

• Ming Xiaoling Tomb
• Confucius Temple
• Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Tomb
• Presidential Palace
• Yuhuatai Martyrs' Cemetery
• Linggu Temple
• Zhonghua Gate

Cultural Site

• Memorial Hall to the Victims in the Nanjing Massacre
• Nanjing Museum
• Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge

Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Tomb Highlights

Sun Yat-sen attraction highlights

• Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Tomb
• Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall
• Former Residence of Sun Yat-sen

Mausoleum in Great China

• Ming Tombs
• Confucius Cemetery
• Huangdi Tomb
• Ming Xiaoling Tomb
• Eastern Qing Tombs
• Western Qing Tomb
• Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Tomb
• Royal Tombs of Western Xia Kingdom
• Zhaoling Tomb
• Genghis Khan's Tomb
• Tomb of Qin Shihuang
• Zhaoling Tomb
• Tomb of Crown Prince Yi De
• Tomb of Princess Yongtai
• Tomb of Concubine Yang
• Han Yang Ling Museum
• Qianling Tomb
• Maoling Tomb
• Imperial Tombs of the North Song Dynasty
• Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall
• Fuling Tomb
• Hairui Tomb
• Zhaojun Tomb
• Astana Tombs
• Tomb of Abakh Khoja
• Tomb of General Yue Fei
• Amannishahan Tomb
• Tomb of Prince Jingjiang

Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Tomb FAQ & Travelers's Tips

  Weather

1. When to go

  Shopping

1. Where to exchange money?

  Customs

1. What are some interesting festivals?

  Other Hints

1. Health and Security
2. Useful numbers

• When to go

  Known as one of the three hottest cities in China, Nanjing's scorching summer period is to be avoided.

  The short and comfortable autumn time from October to mid-November is the best travel period for the city.

  Unlike other southern cities in China, in December, it sometimes snows in the city. If fortunately, you will have an opportunity to appreciate the enthralling white snow world of Nanjing. In the coldest month - January, the temperature could be as low as -7C (19F).

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• What are some interesting festivals?

  Jinling Lanterns Fair
  It was said that the first lantern fair was held in this region in the reign of Hong Wu in the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644), when Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang ordered a spring lantern fair to be held to celebrate both the coming new year and prosperity of the country. This tradition was passed down from generation to generation and reached its height in the Ming and Qing periods. Each year from the first day of the lunar January the lantern fair celebration is held in the area surrounding Fuzimiao.
  Period: 1st, Jan - 15th, Jan depending on lunar calendar

  Nanjing Int'l Plum Festival (Plum Hill)
  In the early spring between February and March, Nanjing International Plum Festival opens as the first ceremonial tourist event of the year. The meeting place is chosen on Plum Hill. Reputed as the First Plum Hill under Heaven, it is one of the eight plum appreciation sights having the most variety, longest history and being the largest in the country. Because the traditional Chinese Lunar New Year always falls in this period, spectacular celebrations of blossom appreciation, show performances, cultural exhibitions and bazaar shopping are be held.
  Period: Feb. - Mar. (the one in 2005 began on Feb. 10th and ended on Mar. 15th)

  Cherry Blossom Festival
  In late March, Xuanwu Park becomes a sea of cherry blossom and photography lovers and tourists throng to see the charming scenery.

  Yuhuashi (Rain Flower Pebbles) Art Festival
  Yuhuashi, a kind of rain-flower pattern agate, is a very popular tourist souvenir. Each year in September, an art and cultural festival is held in Yuhuatai (Rain Flower Terrace) Scenic Area. Exhibition of precious agate stones and performances will be presented.
  Period: September

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• Where to exchange money?

  You can exchange money at Lu Kou International Airport, branch offices of the Bank of China at Zhongshan Donglu, just east of Xinjiekou traffic circle and most hotels in the city.

  Rates at hotels may be a little higher than those in the Bank of China. Some hotels only exchange currency for their own guests.

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• Health and Security

  The health and security of the guests coming to Nanjing is a prime concern among the authorities.

  There are adequate number of police stations where the guests report to in case they face any kind of a problem.

  There are also many hospitals in Nanjing where the tourists can go in case any emergency arises.

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• Useful numbers

  Tourist Hotline: 5261179
  Ambulance: 120, 7213460
  Emergencies: 110 (foreigner's section 552729)
  Fire: 119
  Tel No. Enquiry: 114
  Police: 110
  Foreign Affairs Office of Police: 7216795

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