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Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum
Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum is the burial site of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the great pioneer of
China's democratic revolution and "Father of the Republic of
China". The mausoleum was constructed in three years from 1926 to 1929. It was listed as a key historical and cultural site under state protection in 1961 and a national AAAAA scenic spot in 2007.
On the archway is engraved "Universal Love" which is handwritten by Dr. Sun Yat-sen. Behind the archway is a path which is more than 480 meters (1,575 feet) and leads to the single-eave granite Mausoleum Gate. The gate is embellished with blue glazed tiles, with a length of 27 meters (86 feet), a width of 8.8 meters (29 feet) and a height of 16.5 meters (54 feet). It consists of three arched doors. On the door in the middle is carved the inscription "The Whole World as a Community" which is also written by Dr. Sun Yat-sen. Passing through a square Stele Pavilion, one will arrive at the Sacrificial Hall. The hall is made of white granite, concrete and steel, and decorated with blue glazed tiles. In the center of the hall stands a white marble sculpture of sitting Dr. Sun Yat-sen. Getting through the gate to the tomb, one will reach the coffin chamber. A white marble sculpture of lying Dr. Sun Yat-sen is located in the center. That is very solemn and respectful.
Apart from the mausoleum in
Zhongshan Mountain National Park, there are also plenty of memorial buildings, including the Open-Air Music Hall, the Xingjian Pavilion, the Guanghua Pavilion, the Liuhui Waterside Pavilion, and the Sutra Depository. All the buildings are harmonious in color and structure. The Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum is not only splendid, but also exquisite. Thus, it is renowned as the "First Mausoleum in the Architectural History of Modern China".
The Open-Air Music Hall is located in the southeast of the Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum Square. With a gross area of 4,200 square meters (1 acre), the hall was built in about one year from 1932 to 1933. As a subordinate project of the Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum, the Open-Air Music Hall is a place where musical performances and public speeches are held.
The semicircular hall is made of concrete and steel. At the center of the hall is the stage. Behind the stage stands an echo wall. In front of the stage is a banana-shaped lotus pond. A semicircular lawn in front of pond can hold three thousand people. Tourists can also take a rest in the corridor surrounding the lawn. Moreover, they can buy some foodstuff for the lovely white pigeons in the hall.
The Mausoleum is for Sun Yat-sen, the famous Chinese revolutionary hero has an area of over 80,000 sq meters. It is made up of the Memorial Archway, Tomb Passage, Mausoleum Gate, Stone Steps, Stele Pavilion, Sacrifice Hall and Coffin Chamber. The complex resembles an alarm bell. Walking through the mausoleum provides an insight into the history of Republican Period and the life story of Sun Yat-sen. Allow 2-3 hours for a complete visit.
There is a bandstand called Zhongshanling Bandstand for Su Yat-sen. On sunny days it is a pleasant place to walk.
Travel Tips
Add: NO 2, Sifang City, Xuanwu District, Nanjing City 江苏省南京市玄武区四方城2号
Admission: Free
Opening Hours: 7:00-18:00
Tel: +86-25-84446111
Getting There: Take Tourists bus 1、2、3 or 9 and gets off at Sun Yat-sen parking lot; Take metro line 1 and gets off at Xima Fang Station(下马坊站).