Linggu Pagoda

Linggu Pagoda

Linggu Pagoda is the tallest and most beautiful octagonal nine-story pagoda in the Nanjing area. It is constructed from reinforced concrete and granite from Jinshan, Suzhou. Originally named the Martyrs' Memorial Pagoda, it was built in 1931 as an important part of the Martyrs' Cemetery complex. According to the "Report of the Management Committee of the Premier's Mausoleum," after leading the Northern Expedition, establishing the capital in Nanjing, and completing the unification, in 1928 the Nationalist Government "cherished the previous efforts, employed all returning victors, and provided additional condolences for those who perished tragically. However, for these martyrs who died for righteousness, their bodies lay scattered across the land, and their loyal souls had no place to rest. Therefore, it was planned to collect the remains of the fallen soldiers, build a cemetery, and comfort their loyal spirits." The pagoda was designed by Mayer and Dong Dayou, featuring an elegant and solemn shape with national style and characteristics, earning high praise from people of all walks of life.

The inner and outer walls of the pagoda are inlaid with bluestone steles. Each of the pagoda’s eight sides has four doors and four steles per floor. There are 28 steles in total inside the pagoda. On the 12 steles of the second, third, and fourth floors, the full text of Sun Yat-sen’s Farewell Speech at the Whampoa Military Academy on November 3, 1924, is engraved. This was written in Yu Youren’s standard grass script in July 1934, and visitors often praise it after viewing it. The 16 steles on the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth floors feature the text of Sun Yat-sen’s Inaugural Speech at the Whampoa Military Academy on April 14, 1924, inscribed in small seal script by Wu Zhihui in May 1933. All were carved in stone by Tang Zhongfang from Wuxian, Suzhou.

Address: Inside Linggu Temple Scenic Area, No. 2 Linggu Temple, Xuanwu District, Nanjing

Type: Ancient Pagoda

Recommended Visit Duration: About 30 minutes

Phone: 025-84446443

Opening Hours:

6:30-18:00

Ticket Information:

No separate ticket required. Included in the 35 RMB Linggu Temple Scenic Area ticket.