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Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum

Nanjing · Visitor Guide

Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum (中山陵, Zhōngshān Líng)

"\"Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum occupies a ridge on Purple Mountain, completed in 1929 five years after Sun Zhongshan died in Beijing. The mausoleum synthesises traditional Chinese imperial aesthetics — the rising staircase, the blue glazed tiles, the white stone — with modern construction techniques. The 392-step climb is as much a physical as symbolic experience: Sun's remains lie in a marble sarcophagus beneath the central hall, accessible to visitors of all nationalities. The surrounding Purple Mountain scenic area is free to enter; the mausoleum ticket is ¥60.\".".

Last updated: September 13, 2026

Quick Answer

Is Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum worth visiting?

The 392-step blue-tile mausoleum where the founder of modern China rests. Free with national park ticket. The staircase is one of the most dramatic pieces of Republican-era architecture in Asia.…

Quick facts

Ticket	¥60 (as of 2026); combined ticket with Ming Xiaoling ¥100; free with Nanjing Scenic Area annual pass. Children under 1.4m and seniors over 70 enter free with ID.
Hours	08:30–17:30 (October–March), 08:00–18:00 (April–September); last entry 30 minutes before closing. Closed on Mondays for maintenance (except public holidays).
Recommended duration	1.5–3 hours depending on whether you hike the mountain paths afterward.
Best time to visit	Weekday mornings (08:30–10:00) for near-empty photographs of the staircase. Autumn (October) for the surrounding ginkgo canopy. Any season is crowded on weekends and public holidays.
How to get there	Metro Line 2 to Zijinshan (紫金山) Station or Ming Xiaoling (明孝陵) Station, then 15-minute walk or tourist shuttle (¥10) to the mausoleum gate. From the city centre, a DiDi takes 35–50 minutes at ¥40–60.
English signage	yes
Wheelchair accessible	limited
Completed
Architect	Lü Yanzu (Lv Yansu), designed in Republican style with traditional Chinese elements
Steps	392 steps (symbolic — represents the 392 million people Sun Yat-sen believed China had at the time)
Height	70 m from foot to mausoleum hall
Tomb chamber	Marble sarcophagus; Sun's remains interred 1929
Annual visitors	~8 million

What to expect

Inside the hall, a seated bronze statue of Sun Yat-sen occupies the upper nave; beyond it, behind a marble screen, the sarcophagus chamber is marked only by a simple white marble oval. Visitors file past. There are no English interpretive panels inside the tomb chamber itself, but the surrounding explanatory boards outside and in the antechamber are bilingual. The tomb chamber prohibits photography; the outer halls allow personal photos without flash.

The surrounding Purple Mountain park is free and worth an hour's wandering after the mausoleum visit, particularly the ginkgo avenue connecting to Ming Xiaoling (10 minutes' walk) and the forested trails branching north toward the summit. There is a small café near the mausoleum gate and a more substantial restaurant cluster at the mountain foot. The ascent to the mausoleum from the gate takes 30–45 minutes at a moderate pace; you can descend faster. Note that the mausoleum is closed on Mondays for cleaning — plan accordingly.

How to get there

Metro Line 2 to Zijinshan (紫金山) Station, Exit 1, then walk 15 minutes following signs — the path is well-marked in English. Alternatively, take the scenic tourist bus (G5 route) from Nanjing Railway Station or Xinjiekou to the Zhongshanling stop directly at the gate. A DiDi from central Nanjing (Xinjiekou/Ferguson Road area) costs ¥35–50 and takes 35–50 minutes depending on traffic.

Best photo spots

The staircase photographed from below the marble archway — the best classic shot showing the full ascent and the blue roof
The mausoleum hall facade against the sky from the top platform, looking downhill — gives a rare downward-perspective postcard image
The ginkgo-lined approach path from Ming Xiaoling in late October, with the mausoleum roof visible above the golden canopy
Inside the antechamber, the painted ceiling above the bronze Sun statue — best shot before 10:00 when light enters through the high windows

Tips

Go on a weekday at opening time (08:00–08:30 in summer, 08:30 in winter) — by 10:00 the tour groups arrive and the staircase photos become impossible
Monday closures are for maintenance — don't plan a Monday visit unless you are combining it with other non-closed sites nearby
Wear comfortable walking shoes — the 392 steps are uneven in places and polished smooth by millions of feet
After visiting, walk the 10 minutes down to Ming Xiaoling through the ginkgo avenue; the combined ticket (¥100) covers both and is valid for the full day
There are no lockers at the mausoleum gate; if you have large luggage, leave it at your hotel or use the cloakroom at Nanjing Railway Station

Scams to avoid

Unofficial "English guides" at the metro station offering to escort you and provide historical context for ¥200 — the mausoleum has excellent English signage and an audio guide app; these guides are not licensed
Souvenir vendors at the mausoleum gate selling "authentic Sun Yat-sen commemorative medals" for ¥50–100 — these are mass-produced trinkets, not official numismatic items
Drivers from the city centre claiming the mausoleum is closed for a private government event and offering an alternative tour — verify with the Nanjing Tourist Hotline 12345 before accepting

Frequently asked questions

Is the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum worth visiting?

Absolutely. It is one of the most architecturally significant buildings in modern China and offers a genuine emotional weight — the 392 steps feel ceremonial, the marble hall is serene, and the historical context (the founder of the Republic of China) makes it compelling. Allow 2–3 hours including the approach and surrounding mountain paths.

How much time do I need at Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum?

1.5–2 hours for a thorough visit including the ascent, the hall, the tomb chamber, and the surrounding forecourt. Another 1–2 hours if you walk the ginkgo avenue to Ming Xiaoling afterward.

Is photography allowed inside the mausoleum?

Personal photography without flash is permitted in the antechamber and outer halls. Photography of the tomb chamber (the marble sarcophagus) is strictly prohibited. Staff monitor this and signs are clear.

Is the mausoleum wheelchair accessible?

Partially. The main staircase cannot be traversed by wheelchair, but a side service road allows vehicle access to the upper platform. Contact the site office at the gate for wheelchair escort assistance. The surrounding Purple Mountain paths are not accessible.

Can I visit the mausoleum on Monday?

No — the mausoleum closes every Monday for routine maintenance and cleaning. It is open on public holidays that fall on Monday. Plan your visit for any other day.

Is there a combined ticket with Ming Xiaoling?

Yes — the combined ticket (¥100 as of 2026) covers both Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum and Ming Xiaoling Tomb, valid for the same day. It is ¥40 cheaper than buying tickets separately and can be purchased at either site entrance.

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