Dr. Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum

Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum situated in Zhongshan Mountain in the eastern suburb of Nanjing. The Mountain is also called Zijin Mountain (Purple Gold Mountain), Owing to the fact that purple clouds were often found hovering over its peaks. It has a circumference of over 31square kilometers and its highest peak is 448 meters above sea level. It is a well-known revolution memorial and scenic area by its magnificent mountain, dense woods, and countless historic sites. The white buildings with roofs of brilliant blue tiles (the Nationalists colors) are a striking contrast to the background of dark green pines. The tomb itself lies at the top of an enormous stone stairway, 323m long and 70m wide. The blue and white of the mausoleum were meant to symbolize the white sun on the blue background of the Kuomintang flag. The mausoleum is firstly built in 1926 and Dr. Sun's remains were buried here on June 1, 1929. It was built in honor of Dr. Sun Yatsen, the forerunner of the Chinese Democratic Revolution in 1911. He is widely respected and honored both by the Chinese Communists and the Chiang Kai-shek National Party. Dr. Sun Yatsen insisted that Nanjing should be the capital of China and that revolutionary ideas be realized here. That' why the mausoleum was constructed here after he died. The total area covers about 95,600 square yards with main buildings lying on the central line. Millions of Chinese come to pay their respects to Dr. Sun Yatsen every year. Several bronze statues stand along the Purple Mountain, adding great solemnity to the place. Inside the memorial hall stands the marble statue of Dr. Sun Yatsen. The statue was done by a Polish artist in 1930. Another lying marble statue was in the tomb, a masterpiece by a Yugoslavian sculptor.