Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum
The Entry of Zhongshanling
Tour at Zhongshanling
A Memorial Arch
Nanjing Zhongshanling
Stone-tablet Pavilion
Dr Sun Yat-sen' Mausoleum is located within the Zhongshan Scenic Area of the eastern suburb of Nanjing, with Mingxiaoling Mausoleum to the west and Linggu Temple to the east. Known as the most important mausoleum of modern Chinese architectural history, this magnificent mausoleum draws reverent travelers from home and abroad.
Sun Yat-sen was the great pioneer of the Chinese democratic revolution. He led Chinese revolutionaries to overthrow more than two thousand years of Chinese feudal imperialism and founded the capitalistic democratic republic. To respect his last wish, his mausoleum was built on Zhongshan Mountain (Zijinshan Mountain - Purple Mountain). The mausoleum was begun in 1926, and the main body finished in 1929, when Sun was laid to rest here. Construction was completed in 1932.
Dr Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum faces level land and backs on green mountains. It is built in a combined Chinese and Western architectural style and is shaped like an alarm clock. The mausoleum mainly consists of Memorial Archway of Universal Fraternity, Mausoleum Gate, Tablet Pavilion, Sacrificial Hall and Coffin Chamber. All these buildings are built on a central axis line connected by 392 steps and 8 platforms. Dr Sun's body was interred in the Coffin Chamber. Above the coffin is his sleeping sculpture modeled after his body, which can be seen by visitors. Around the mausoleum can also be seen many related buildings, such as Sun Yat-sen's Memorial Hall, Music Stage and Meiling Villa (wife of Chiang Kai-sheik, former chairman of Chinese Nationalist Party).
The natural environment of the mausoleum is also very enticing. With dense forests and flowers, the area is perfect to be seen throughout the year. Spring is best for seeing plum blossoms, the city flower of Nanjing. In summer, Lingyuan Road (Zhongshan Gate - Dr Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum) becomes a cool boulevard in which the city takes pride. In autumn, thousands of blooming laurel blossoms in Linggu Temple is a splendid sight. Cedar trees, the city tree of Nanjing, within the area seem more verdant and straight in winter.
Tickets:
Free for Dr Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum (starting from Nov. 12, 2010);
CNY 35 for Linggu Temple;
CNY 10 for the Musical Paltform
Opening Hours: 08:30 - 17:00 (closed on Mondays)
Transportation:
a. Take Bus No. 9, 20, 315 or Tourist Bus No. 1, 2, 3 and get off at Zhongshanling stop;
b. Take Subway Line 2 and get off at Zhongshanling Xiamafang station.
More Tourist Attractions in Nanjing:
