Wuzhou Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall

Wuzhou Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall

The Wuzhou Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit and a patriotic education base.

The Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall is situated in Zhongshan Park in the heart of Wuzhou. In preparation for the Northern Expedition, Dr. Sun Yat-sen stayed in Wuzhou three times between 1921 and 1922. After his passing in Beijing on March 12, 1925, Li Jishen, then head of the Wuzhou Aftermath Office, proposed raising funds to build the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in Beishan Park. The foundation stone was laid on January 29, 1926, and the hall was completed in October 1930. It is the earliest-built Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in China, a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit, and a patriotic education base of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

The memorial hall covers an area of over 1,630 square meters, facing south with its back to the north. Its plain white exterior contrasts beautifully with the evergreen ancient trees nearby, symbolizing the everlasting spirit of Sun Yat-sen. In the center of the square in front of the hall stands a full-body statue of Dr. Sun Yat-sen. Flanking the entrance are stone lions and flower stands. The front section of the hall features a four-story tower with a round dome. The plaque above the front gate inscribed with “Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall” was written by Chen Jitang, then governor of Guangdong Province; the rear section serves as an auditorium that can accommodate one thousand people.

In front of the memorial hall lies a lotus pond with stone steps leading down to the foot of the hill. The main hall faces the podium, at the center of which is a bronze bust of Sun Yat-sen along with the full text of his last will and testament. On both sides of the podium are inscribed his famous words: “The revolution is not yet complete; comrades still need to strive.” The hall also displays a photo exhibition and replicas of historical artifacts related to Dr. Sun’s life and achievements. The exhibits systematically introduce the life of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the great pioneer of China’s democratic revolution, and highlight his three visits to Wuzhou in early 1922 when he directed the Northern Expedition, guided the people of Wuzhou in building their hometown, and oversaw the management of the Xijiang River waterway.

The memorial hall faces south with its back to the north, and its main structure forms the shape of the Chinese characters “中山” (Zhongshan). The architectural design combines classical Chinese palace style with Western church architecture, reflecting a blend of Chinese and Western artistic styles. The first floor houses two exhibition halls featuring photos of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the great pioneer of China’s democratic revolution. The second floor contains two exhibition halls displaying photos of Sun Yat-sen’s relatives and descendants.

Four iron pillars from the Gui River pontoon bridge stand on either side of the memorial hall entrance. The garden outside the hall features an exhibition of Ming and Qing dynasty cannons used in Wuzhou. The backyard of the hall also hosts an exhibit of these historic artillery pieces. As the city in Guangxi with the largest quantity and variety of cannons, Wuzhou displays examples such as Hongyi cannons, Jiangjun cannons, Shenfei cannons, and Western-style cannons.

Sun Yat-sen (1866–1925), whose given name was Wen, courtesy name Zaizhi, also known as Risun or Yixian, with the childhood name Dixiang and alias Zhongshanqiao, often went by the name Zhongshan. He was born into a farming family in Cuiheng Village, Xiangshan County (now Zhongshan City), Guangdong Province. Influenced by the revolutionary traditions of the people of Guangdong during his youth, he admired the cause of the Taiping Rebellion. He was a pioneer of modern China's national democratic revolution, a great forerunner of China's democratic revolution, a founder of the Republic of China and the Kuomintang, and an advocate of the Five-Power Constitution. He was the first to raise the banner of complete opposition to feudalism... More details about Sun Yat-sen ++

Further reading:

· Sixth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units