The Sun Yat-Sen’s Mausoleum Scenic Spot

The Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum Scenic Area, located within the Zhongshan Scenic Area along Shixiang Road in Xuanwu District, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, is the resting place of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, a great pioneer of democratic revolution in modern China. It is also a AAAAA-level tourist attraction and a World Heritage Site that integrates natural landscapes and human history. This site not only bears profound historical and cultural connotations but also attracts countless tourists with its unique architectural style and beautiful natural environment.

Historical Background

The Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, this solemn and respectful architectural complex, was meticulously designed and constructed in honor of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, a great pioneer of democratic revolution in Chinese history. It is not only a tomb but also a historical monument that carries the lofty ideals and immortal spirits of countless revolutionary pioneers. The mausoleum is magnificent in scale and design, demonstrating a grandeur and solemnity that transcend time.

From an aerial view, the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum resembles a "Liberty Bell" lying on a green carpet. This unique shape carries profound symbolism. The bell, since ancient times, has been the symbol of freedom, equality, and justice. The mausoleum's bell-like shape symbolizes the lifelong pursuit of freedom and democracy by Dr. Sun Yat-sen and his followers, forever echoing in the long river of history and inspiring future generations to move forward.

     

As you walk up the long pathway to the mausoleum, each step feels like walking on the pulse of history, immersing you in the turbulent historical river. Along the pathway, trees provide shade, and flowers add a touch of tranquility and serenity to the mausoleum. However, it is this tranquility and serenity that accentuate the heaviness and tragedy of that historical period. The Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, this tomb that embodies the lofty ideals and immortal spirits of countless revolutionary pioneers, is not only a historical monument but also a valuable spiritual wealth. It inspires future generations to remember history, honor the martyrs, cherish the hard-won peace and prosperity, and strive for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Main Attractions

• The Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum

The Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum

The Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum was initiated in the 14th year of the Hongwu reign (1381) of the Ming Dynasty and completed in the 3rd year of the Yongle reign (1405), spanning a period of 25 years. Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, the founder of the Ming Dynasty, mobilized 100,000 military workers and devoted the entire country's resources to construct this magnificent mausoleum for himself and Empress Ma. The overall layout of the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum is divided into three parts: the sacred pathway serving as the introductory architecture, the main mausoleum buildings, and the auxiliary mausoleum buildings. The sacred pathway consists of the Stone Elephant Road and the Wenzhong and Wusheng Statues Road, while the main mausoleum buildings include the Grand Golden Gate, the Square City, the Gate of Literati and Warriors, the Sacrifice Hall, the Square City and Ming Tower, and the Treasure City and Treasure Dome. The Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum boasts a unique architectural style, with the mausoleum built into the mountain, exhibiting a magnificent presence. Its exquisite architectural craftsmanship reflects the highest achievements of early Ming Dynasty architecture and stone carving art. 

As the first imperial mausoleum of the Ming and Qing dynasties, the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum represents the highest achievements of early Ming Dynasty architecture and stone carving art, directly influencing the design of over 20 imperial mausoleums built during the more than 500 years of the Ming and Qing dynasties. It holds a special position in the development history of imperial mausoleums in China, earning it the reputation of "The First Royal Mausoleum of the Ming and Qing Dynasties." In March 1961, the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum was designated as one of the first batch of key cultural relics under state protection by the State Council. In 1982, it was listed as a national key scenic spot. 

• Meiling Palace

The Meiling Palace

Meiling Palace was initiated in 1931 and completed in 1932, originally intended as the residence for the Chairman of the Nationalist Government but later converted into a rest room for high-ranking officials visiting Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum. From the victory of the Anti-Japanese War in 1945 to the liberation of Nanjing in 1949, Chiang Kai-shek and Soong Mei-ling often resided here, prompting people to call it "Meiling Palace," a name that has been used ever since. The main building of Meiling Palace is a three-story, triple-eaves, mountain-style palace architecture, adopting the official style of the Ming and Qing dynasties in design. Its exterior features a yellow wall, red columns, and a green glazed tile roof. More than 1,000 phoenixes are carved on the roof, making it the first and only example in Chinese architecture. Meiling Palace is not only the living and working place of Chiang Kai-shek and Soong Mei-ling but also a witness to modern Chinese history. With its unique architectural style and luxurious interior decoration, it represents a perfect fusion of traditional Chinese and modern architectural arts. 

The historical artifacts and artworks within Meiling Palace not only showcase the personal tastes and lifestyles of the Chiang-Soong couple but also reflect the political, economic, and cultural conditions of Chinese society at that time. Meiling Palace is a royal palace-style building integrating history, culture, and art. Its unique architectural style, luxurious interior decoration, and rich historical and cultural connotations make it an important cultural heritage of Nanjing and even China.

• The Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum

The Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum

The Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum is a tomb built in honor of Sun Yat-sen, a great pioneer of democratic revolution in China. Construction of the mausoleum began in 1926 and was completed three years later, covering an area of nearly 2 million square meters. The complex of buildings is built along the mountain's slope, gradually rising from south to north along a central axis, with main structures including the Gate of Love, the tomb path, the mausoleum gate, stone steps, the stele pavilion, the sacrifice hall, and the tomb chamber, all arranged on a central axis, embodying the style of traditional Chinese architecture. The stone steps are one of the most distinctive parts of the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, with a total of 392 steps, symbolizing the arduous journey of Sun Yat-sen's leadership in the revolution. Each section of the path represents a milestone in Sun Yat-sen's revolutionary career. From the Gate of Love to the mausoleum gate, it symbolizes Sun Yat-sen's great achievements in overthrowing the Qing Dynasty and establishing the Republic of China; from the mausoleum gate to the stele pavilion, it represents Sun Yat-sen's leadership in the Northern Expedition and the great cause of unifying China; from the stele pavilion to the sacrifice hall, it symbolizes Sun Yat-sen's advocacy for cooperation between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party and his noble ideal of promoting national peace and unity. 

The Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum is rich and profound in architectural symbolism. From its overall layout, it resembles a lying "Freedom Bell," embodying Sun Yat-sen's political legacy of "awakening the masses." As an outstanding representative of modern Chinese architecture, the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum showcases profound respect for Sun Yat-sen and the innovative fusion of traditional Chinese culture with modern architectural ideas.

• Music Stand

The Music Stand

The Music Stand was initially constructed in the autumn of 1932 and designed by renowned architects Guan Songsheng and Yang Tingbao. It was completed in August 1933. It primarily serves as a ceremonial venue to commemorate Dr. Sun Yat-sen, as well as for musical performances and public speeches. The Music Stand's architectural style is a blend of Chinese and Western elements, incorporating features of ancient Greek architecture and expressions from classical gardens in the southern regions of the Yangtze River in China. The plan layout is semicircular, cleverly designed to provide both a spacious and grand visual effect and demonstrate exquisite artistic craftsmanship. The large screen wall behind the stand is the main design feature of the Music Stand, modeled after the traditional Chinese five-mountain screen style and faced with cement-carved faux stone. It serves as both a stage background and a sound reflector, similar to the principle of the Echo Wall, capable of gathering sound waves. The upper part and both sides of the screen wall are carved with cloud patterns, below which are three dragon heads. The Music Stand is located in the core area of Zhongshan Scenic Area, a national forest park and a 5A-rated tourist attraction, surrounded by 31 square kilometers of natural forest, offering an exceptional ecological environment. 

Visitors can participate in feeding pigeons and experience the unique atmosphere of the Music Stand. The Music Stand is a monumental building integrating history, culture, and art. Its unique architectural style, rich cultural connotations, and beautiful natural environment make it one of the important cultural heritages of Nanjing and even China.

• Linggu Scenic Area

The Linggu Scenic Area

During the construction of the Xiaoling Mausoleum in the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang issued an order to relocate the ancient Buddhist temple Kaishan from the Southern Dynasties to this location and renamed it Linggu Temple, known as the "First Zen Monastery Under Heaven." In 1931, the Republic of China government converted it into a cemetery for fallen soldiers of the National Revolutionary Army. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, it became the Linggu Scenic Area. The Linggu Scenic Area hosts various seasonal events, such as photography activities featuring magnolia blossoms in spring, firefly watching in summer, osmanthus fragrance check-in activities in autumn, and viewing the yellowing of ginkgo trees in winter. Additionally, the scenic area also organizes cultural events and good luck collection tours, among others.

Tour Route

· Firstly, start from Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum. Walk approximately 450 meters from Muxuyuan Subway Station and enter the scenic area through Gate 3 of Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum. 

· Then, walk about 500 meters from Gate 5 of Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, passing by the Wutong Tree Avenue (Lingyuan Road), to reach the Mailing Palace. Spend about 1 hour exploring the Mailing Palace. 

· Next, take a shuttle bus from the Mailing Palace directly to Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum. At Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, you will need to walk up some stairs and backtrack a bit. 

· Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum is quite close to the Music Stand. Proceed to the Music Stand, which is about a 350-meter walk from Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum. If you're lucky, you might catch a free performance, and if the timing is right, you can see flocks of pigeons flying. 

· Return to the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum shuttle bus stop via the same route. Spend about 1 hour at the Music Stand. 

· Take a shuttle bus from Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum directly to Linggu. Linggu is divided into two parts: Linggu Scenic Area and the New Linggu Temple. Allow about 2 hours for exploring Linggu. There are buses at the entrance of Linggu that provide direct access to the downtown area or subway stations.

Information

Chinese Name:中山陵风景区

Specific Location: Within the Zhongshan Scenic Area, at the southern foot of Mount Zijing in Xuanwu District, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province.

Ticket Price: The Zhongshan Mausoleum Scenic Area is open for free, but visitors need to make reservations through the official website or designated channels in advance to protect the environment and cultural heritage of the scenic area. Upon successful reservation, visitors can enter the scenic area with the reservation code and valid ID.

Service Hotline: 025-84431174

Opening Hours: 8:30 to 17:00

                            The tomb chamber is open from Tuesday to Friday.

Travel Tips

• Safety First: There are many steps in the scenic area. It is recommended to wear comfortable shoes and pay attention to safety.

• Protect the Environment: Please do not litter in the scenic area and protect the ecological environment.
  

• Respect History: During the visit, please keep quiet and respect the historical and cultural heritage.
  

• Reasonable Time Arrangement: It is recommended to plan your itinerary in advance and arrange your time reasonably to avoid missing important attractions.
  

• Be Aware of Weather Changes: Nanjing has a changeable climate. Please check the weather forecast before traveling and take sunscreen or rainproof measures.

The Zhongshan Mausoleum Scenic Area is not only a historical relic but also a spiritual monument. Here, we can not only appreciate the charm of architectural art but also feel the profoundness of history and the inheritance of culture. Let us enter this sacred land with awe and jointly pursue those glorious years of the past.