12/22/2015
Sun Yan-sen Mausoleum (中山陵; pinyin: Zhōng shān líng) is situated at the foot of the second peak of Mount Zijin (Purple Mountain). Construction of the tomb started in January 1926, and was finished in spring of 1929. It is classified as a AAAAA scenic area by the China National Tourism Administration.
Sun is considered to be the “Father of Modern China” both in mainland China and in Taiwan, fought against the imperial Qing government and after the 1911 revolution ended the monarchy, and founded the Republic of China.
Dr. Sun died in 1925 in Beijing. Nanjing was where Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, first proclaimed the Republic of China in 1911 and where the government had moved from Beijing in the late 1920s. A committee decided to host a design competition in order to collect designs for the Mausoleum. The committee put advertisements inviting architects and designers at home and abroad to send their designs. In exchange for a 10 yuan charge, the committee would provide the designer with 12 pictures of the site.
The design would have to adhere to guidelines: It had to be done in a traditional Chinese style that also evoked a modern design with special and memorial substance. Not only should it evoke the Chinese architectural spirit, but also add creativity. Over 40 proposals were received. On September 1925, the committee convened in Shanghai, and unanimously selected Lu Yanzhi’s proposal.
Reclining on a mountain slope, the majestic mausoleum blends the styles of traditional imperial tombs and modern architecture.
The whole complex is laid out on a north-south axis. First there is a pailou, or memorial arch, which marks the entry to the mausoleum grounds. From here a long tree-lined pathway leads up the hill at a slight incline for several hundred yards to the formal gate, with its three arched entries.
Immediately behind this is a square pavilion, which houses Dr. Sun’s memorial tablet, a huge stone stele about 20 feet in height. From here the pathway leads up a wide stairway of 400 steps to the main memorial hall at the top. This hall consists of the front memorial room with a statue of Dr. Sun.
Chinese Tips:
Sun Yat-sen’s Mausoleum is the most interesting place in Nanjing: Zhōngshānlíng shì nánjīng zuì yǒuqù de dìfāng 中山陵是南京最有趣的地方
During the weekend it’s full of people: Zhōumó de shíhóu nàlǐ jǐmǎn le rén周末的时候那里挤满了人
There are 400 steps to go to the top: Zǒudào dǐngbù yǒu sìbǎi gè táijiē 走到顶部有400个台阶
Sun Yat Sen is very respected by Chinese people: Sqūnzhōngshān shēnshóu zhōngguòrén àidi 孙中山深受中国人爱戴
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