Visit the majestic tomb of the man who ended China’s feudal monarchy and who is known as the father of modern China.
Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Mausoleum is the final resting place of the founder of the Republic of China. The monument sits at the foot of one of Mount Zijn's peaks and is reached by climbing more than 300 stairs.
Said to have been inspired by Abraham Lincoln, Dr. Sun Yat-Sen’s priorities were democracy, nationalism and people’s livelihoods, three principles which are inscribed above the arches of the tomb’s Sacrificial Hall. These values pitted him firmly against the corrupt Qing dynasty, which had been in power since the 17th century. The Xinhai Revolution, led by Yat-Sen, ended in the abdication of the child Emperor Xuantong Puyi and the formation of the Chinese Republic.
Take the 30-minute hike up through an area of tall pines and cypress trees to the mausoleum site. From here you have fantastic views over the city of Nanjing. Enter through the 52-feet (16-meter) high gate, which takes you to a large square.
At the north end of the square is the staircase that will lead you up to the Sacrificial Hall, where Dr. Sun Yat-Sen’s tomb is located. Once you are in the hall, go up to the large marble statue of the revolutionary figure, standing almost 16 feet (5 meters) high. At its base are depictions from his life. Then go to the back of the hall and through the door that leads to the hemispherical burial vault. Dr. Sun Yat-Sen’s remains lie in a sarcophagus topped by a marble statue.
If you have time left in your schedule, tour some of the memorial buildings around the mausoleum. These include the Open-air Music Hall and the Sun Yat-sen Museum.
To get to the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Mausoleum, ride on any of the tourist buses that run directly from Nanjing to the shopping village at the foot of Mount Zijn. Alternatively, pay for a taxi from the downtown area. The mausoleum is open every day, although the Sacrificial Hall and the Burial Chamber are closed on Mondays. Admission is free, but some of the memorial buildings do have a charge.
