An astonishing sight, Sun Yatsen's tomb lies at the top of an enormous stone stairway – a breathless 392 steps. Reverentially referred to as guófù (国父; 'Father of the Nation'), Dr Sun is esteemed by both communists and Kuomintang. He died in Běijīng in 1925, and had wished to be buried in Nánjīng, no doubt with far less pomp than the Ming-style tomb his successors built for him. Within a year of his death, however, construction of this mausoleum began.
At the start of the path stands a dignified marble gateway, with a roof of blue-glazed tiles. The blue and white of the mausoleum symbolise the white sun on the blue background of the Kuomintang flag.
The crypt lies at the top of the steps at the rear of the memorial chamber. A tablet hanging across the threshold is inscribed with the ‘Three Principles of the People’, as formulated by Dr Sun: nationalism, democracy and people’s livelihood. Inside is a statue of a seated Dr Sun. The walls are carved with the complete text of the 'Outline of Principles for the Establishment of the Nation' put forward by the Nationalist government. A prostrate marble statue of Dr Sun seals his copper coffin.
Buses 9, Y1, Y2 or Y3 go from the city centre to the Sun Yatsen Mausoleum. A shuttle bus (¥5) resembling a red steam train speeds from here to the Línggǔ Temple Scenic Area.
