Tomb of Yang, Mother of Sun Yat-sen, in Baihualin

Tomb of Yang, Mother of Sun Yat-sen, in Baihualin

Madam Yang, mother of Sun Yat-sen, passed away in Hong Kong on the 13th day of the sixth lunar month in 1910 at the age of 83. At that time, Mr. Sun was overseas, busy raising funds for the revolution while also evading persecution by the Qing government. Therefore, arrangements for Madam Yang’s funeral were managed by her eldest son, Sun Mei, and fellow revolutionaries such as Luo Yannian. Mr. Sun was unable to see his mother for the last time, something he deeply regretted later in life.

The tomb of Mr. Sun Yat-sen’s mother is located in Baihualin, Sai Kung, on the Kowloon Peninsula in Hong Kong. Although the Kowloon Peninsula is part of Hong Kong, its feng shui dragon vein originates from the central plains. Though modest in size, the tomb carries an imperial aura. Built in 1910, just three months after the burial, Mr. Sun’s revolution succeeded — a fact that feng shui experts found remarkable. Legend has it that she was buried in silk to accelerate prosperity. Observing the structure of the tomb, which does not resemble the “swallowing burial” method, it is believed to follow a more traditional style. At the time, due to the leader of the revolution, the tombstone only reads: “Tomb of Madam Yang of the Sun Family, Xiang District,” without the names of descendants. If we speak of blessings for future generations, this tomb likely had a more direct impact, at least contributing to Mr. Sun becoming the provisional president in the early years of the Republic. The tomb is circular in shape, featuring a large bluestone platform in front. It is said that the original tomb structure was a simple earthen grave. In 1975, the Republic of China allocated 300,000 dollars for renovation, and the Overseas Chinese Travel Service built a pavilion nearby for visitors to rest. The pavilion bears the inscription “Tribute to Dr. Sun Yat-sen, Father of the Nation, with his ideal of ‘The World Belongs to All’” along with a portrait of Sun Yat-sen.

Transportation Guide

Location: Baihualin, Fei Ngo Shan Road, Fei Ngo Shan, Sai Kung District, Hong Kong

Getting There: Take KMB Bus No. 91, 91M, or 92 and alight at the Fei Ngo Shan Road intersection (Fei Ngo Shan Estate / Diocesan Girls' School), then walk along Fei Ngo Shan Road to reach the site.