Dr. Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum (Zhongshan Ling) in Nanjing

Chinese Name: 中山陵
English Name: Dr. Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum (Zhongshan Ling)
Type: Architecture; Cultural Relic
Best Time: All year round, especially during spring and autumn
Recommended Visiting Hours: 1 Day
Opening Hours: 8:30 - 17:00
Ticket: Free
Location: Zhongshan Scenic Spot, Xuanwu District, Nanjing 南京市玄武区钟山风景区

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Brief Introduction

Dr. Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum is the mausoleum of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the great forerunner of the democratic revolution in modern China, and its affiliated memorial buildings. It covers an area of more than 80,000 square meters. Starting from the spring of 1926 and completed in the summer of 1929, zhongshan mausoleum became one of the first batch of national key cultural relics protection units in 1961, listed as one of the first batch of national key scenic spots and national 5A tourist attractions in 2006, and was listed as one of the “first batch of Chinese 20th century architectural heritage” in 2016.

About Dr. Sun Yat-sen

Sun Yat-sen (孙中山, 1866.11.12 ~ 1925.3.12) was a Chinese revolutionary, physician, first president and founding father of the Republic of China (ROC). He is considered to be the “Father of Modern China” (中华民国国父) and the “Forerunner of Democratic Revolution” in the People’s Republic of China. He played a crucial role in the overthrow of the Qing Dynasty (1644~1912) and over 2000 years’ Monarchy during the years leading up to the Xinhai Revolution (辛亥革命). Sun was appointed to serve as Provisional President of the Republic of China when it was founded in 1912 and he later con-founded Kuomingtang and served as its first leader. Actually, his political life was with constant struggle and frequent exile. He exiled to Japan, Europe, the United States and Canada, but he always supported the revolutionary party and uprising in China. Sun’s chief legacy resides in his developing of the political philosophy known as “Three Principles of the People” – Principles of Nationalism (民族), Principles of Democracy (民权) and Principles of People’s Livelihood (民生).

Design Philosophy

The majestic construction inside the Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s Mausoleum was started in 1926 and completed in 1929. The whole Mausoleum represents an alarm bell as seen from the air, symbolizing the noble spirit and heroic efforts of Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s devotion to the Chinese people, fight of oppression and wining the independence of the country. 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 the country’s modern architectural history.  The whole building is built according to the mountain and gradually rises along the central axis from south to north. The main buildings are Boai Fang(博爱坊), Mausoleum Passage(墓道), Mausoleum gate(陵门), Stone Steps(石阶), Stele Pavilion(碑亭) and so on, which are arranged on a central axis, reflecting the style of traditional Chinese architecture.

Highlights of Dr. Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum 

Boai Archway  (博爱坊)

Boai Fang is the entrance of the mausoleum.  The archway is 11 meters high and 17.3 meters wide. The archway is carved with lotus petals, clouds and ancient buildings. On the frieze of the middle gate of the memorial archway, there is a stone inscribed with the word “Bo Ai” written by Dr. Sun Yat-sen. Therefore, the archway is called “Bo Ai fang”.

Mausoleum Gate (陵门)

Built in the middle of the central axis of the mausoleum, the gate is on a wide concrete platform that can accommodate more than 10,000 people. The platform is flanked by velvety lawns. On both sides of the mausoleum gate, there is a pair of white marble lions. The gate is 24 meters long, 8.8 meters deep and 16.5 meters high. The gate is inscribed with four Chinese characters written by Dr. Sun, “Tian Xia Wei Gong” (天下为公), which means “The world is for all “.

Stele Pavilion (碑亭)

Behind the Mausoleum Gate is the Stele Pavilion. It’s 17 meters high and 12.2 meters wide. The stele is 9 meters high and weighs tens of tons. It is carved from a huge granite, artificially transported from Fujian. The inscription on the steal was 中国国民党葬总理孙先生于此，中华民国十八年六月一日, which means “Mr. Sun, Prime Minister of the KMT, was buried here on June 1, 18th, 1928.”

Memorial Hall (祭堂)

The Memorial Hall is the main architecture of Sun Yat Sen Mausoleum with a blend of Chinese and western styles. The Hall is 28 metres long, 22.5 metres wide and 26 metres high. The hall has three arch doors, on the door lintel carved “民族(Nationalism)”, “民权(Principles of Democracy)” and “民生(Principles of People’s Livelihood)”. Above the three arched doors, it is inscribed “Tian Di Zheng Qi” (天地正气) which means uprightness in heaven and earth. 

Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s statue is seated in the center of the Memorial Hall. It is 4.6 meters high. who wears a long gown with an open book on his lap, sits in the center. At the foot of the statue six embossments vividly show Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s glorious revolution in China. The six reliefs carved on the base are a portrait of Sun Yat-sen’s revolutionary activities. 

Vault (墓室)

The vault is 18 meters in diameter and 11 meters high. The roof is decorated with mosaic emblem of Kuomingtang, and the ground is decorated with white marble. In the center of the vault is the coffin pit with white marble sleeping statue of Sun on top. For the limited space and safety of travelers, the vault is close for travelers and will open during the important festivals.

How to Get to Dr. Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum

Travel with China Dragon Tours (top recommended)

If you want to get rid of hustle of transportation and troublesome navigation, you can book a private tour package which covers visiting, dining and transfer from us. Our local tour guide and driver will escort you to Dr. Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum with speed and convenience, and take care of all the details. You just need to focus on travel.

Independent Travel

For Independent travelers you can

• By Bus: 游1, 游2, 游3, 9 or 34 and get off at Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum Station.
• By Metro: Line 2 to Xia Ma Fang Station, then transfer to Bur Route 34 or walk to get to the spot. 

Nearby Attractions

Purple Mountain

Purple Mountain(紫金山) or Zijin Shan, is located on the eastern side of Nanjing in Jiangsu province. Covered by verdant trees, the main peak of Purple Mountain is 448.9 meters above sea level. Its peaks are often found enveloped in mysterious purple and golden clouds at dawn and dusk, hence its name. It is a national 5A tourist scenic spots in Jiangsu, as well as a world cultural heritage. Priple Mountain is not noly full of baeutiful natural scenery but also rich in cultural.

Xuanwu Lake

Xuanwu Lake (玄武湖) is located in Xuanwu District in the central-northeast part of Nanjing, Jiangsu. It is designated a National Grade AAAA Attraction. It is near the Nanjing Railway Station. There are five islands within the lake are interconnected by arched bridges. Within the park are temples, pagodas, pavilions, gardens, teahouses, restaurants, entertainment venues, a small zoo, and other attractions. Its main entrance is the Xuanwu Gate.

Confucius Temple

Nanjing Confucius Temple, namely Nanjing Fuzimiao(南京夫子庙) and Nanjing Wenmiao(南京文庙), is located in Gongyuan Street(贡院街) on the North Bank of Qinhuai River(秦淮河), Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province. It is the place for offering sacrifices to Confucius. It is one of the the four major Confucian temples in China. And it is China’s famous national 5A Tourist Scenic Spot.

Presidential Palace

Nanjing Presidential Palace, located at No. 292 Changjiang Road, Xuanwu District, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province(江苏省南京市玄武区长江路292号), is the largest and most complete architectural complex in modern China. It is also the important site of modern Chinese history. Now, it has been established as the Museum of Modern Chinese History(中国近代史博物馆).

Useful Travel Tips

Mausoleum is free, but visitors need to use their passports to book the tickets in advance.

Notice of Booking

1. Coverage: Bo’ai Square and other core areas on the “Tianxia Weigong”(the world is for all) Tomb Gate (Tomb Gate, Tablet Pavilion, Sacrifice Hall, and Coffin Chamber).

2. Opening Hours: Core areas on “Tianxia Weigong” Tomb Gate are open from 8:30 to 17:00pm. These areas are closed on Monday for maintenance (except for statutory holidays, the anniversary of both birthday and deathday of Sun Yat-sen).The Burial Room is open from Tuesday to Friday (except for statutory holidays), and on the anniversary of both birthday and deathday of Mr. Sun Yat-sen.

3. Max. Number of Booking:18,000 people per day from Tuesday to Friday; 30,000 people per day for weekends and general holidays (New Year’s Day, Tomb-sweeping Day, May Day, Dragon Boat Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival); the max. number of booking for major holidays (National Day and Spring Festival) shall be subject to prior announcements of the Scenic Area.

4. Booking Channels:Individual tourists and travel agents can make reservations up to 30 days in advance through the official website of Zhongshan Mountain National Park (www.zschina.org.cn,7:00-22:00 every day), Zhongshan Mountain National Park WeChat Service Account (7:00-22:00 every day) and the Tourist Self-service Terminal (8:00-17:00 every day).

5. Booking Requirements: Individual tourists and travel agents are required to present valid documents such as second-generation ID cards, passports, Mainland Travel Permits for Hong Kong and Macau Residents, Mainland Travel Permits for Taiwan Residents, Certificates of Officers, and Certificates of Soldiers when making reservations under their real name.

Official website :http://www.zslychina.org.cn:62801/