Hometown of Sun Yat-sen’s Ancestors

Hometown of Sun Yat-sen’s Ancestors

The Former Residence of Sun Yat-sen’s Ancestors — Shangsha Village, anciently known as Changsha, also called Shaxi. The ancestors named it so because their dwelling was located along a stretch of sandy shore by the sea.

1. The Sun Clan Ancestral Hall

The Sun Clan Ancestral Hall in Shangsha Village, Chang’an Town, was first built in the mid-Ming Dynasty. In the early years of the Tongzhi reign during the Qing Dynasty, with sponsorship from clan relatives in Zuobutou, Xiangshan (Zhongshan City), the ancestral hall was expanded, becoming majestic and imposing in shape, resembling a crouching beast. On the day of its completion, a couplet was gifted, narrating the lineage and origin of the Sun family — concise yet meaningful — to remind descendants not to forget the virtues of their ancestors. The couplet reads: “Rooted in our hometown, as trees have roots and waters have sources, five generations of excellence began in Guanling; enshrining the spirits in the ancestral hall, remembering the merits of forefathers and the virtues of ancestors, three branches offer incense in tribute to Xiangshan.” In the autumn of 1986, on the occasion of the 120th anniversary of Sun Yat-sen’s birth, the History Research Office of Sun Yat-sen University, together with the Dongguan Municipal CPPCC and the Bureau of Culture, held a symposium on Sun Yat-sen’s ancestral origins in Chang’an Town. Shangsha Village and the Hong Kong compatriots' association were both invited to attend. Attendees presented extensive historical materials proving that Sun Yat-sen’s lineage originated from Shangsha Village. The Guangdong Provincial TV Station filmed a documentary news feature titled “The Sun Clan Ancestral Hall and the New Look of Shangsha Village,” which was later broadcast on television, marking a significant event at the time. Inspired by the gathering, Hong Kong compatriots proposed renovating the ancestral hall and expanding the local school. On May 21, 1996, it was listed by the People’s Government of Chang’an Town as one of the first batch of town-level cultural relics protection units.

2. The Tomb of Sun Yat-sen’s Third-generation Ancestor

On the mountainside opposite Guangshen Highway, across from Zhongshan Avenue in Shangsha Village, Chang’an Town, lies an ancient tomb from the Ming Dynasty — the tomb of Sun Yat-sen’s third-generation ancestor. Backed by a mountain and facing the mouth of Lion Sea, it was renovated in the winter of 1864 (the third year of the Tongzhi reign). Above the granite tombstone is horizontally inscribed “Chongyin Hall,” while the central vertical inscription reads: “Tomb of the Illustrious Third-generation Ancestor Liyin Sun, who held the title of Dengshi Lang in the Ming Dynasty.”

Before its renovation, this tomb of Liyin was merely an ordinary earthen mound. In the third year of the Tongzhi reign, descendants of the Sun clan from Xiangshan crossed the mighty river and contributed funds to restore this tomb. They did not consider its feng shui or dragon veins, but simply knew that since their ancestors came from Shangsha, they ought to acknowledge their roots and honor their predecessors, so as not to forget the blessings of their forebears. Driven by filial piety and the desire to remember their source, they restored the tomb. It can be said that the significance of preserving this tomb does not lie in its feng shui or whether it sits on a dragon vein. Rather, it fully proves one fact: the lineage of Sun Yat-sen from Cuiheng Village in Zhongshan City originates from Shangsha Village in Chang’an Town. 3. Zhongshan Park

Zhongshan Park is located beside the Shangsha Village section of Guangshen Highway. It was meticulously built by the people of Chang’an to commemorate the great achievements of Sun Yat-sen and to learn from his spirit of striving for the Chinese nation throughout his life. As you enter the main gate of Zhongshan Park, a high relief sculpture of Sun Yat-sen stands prominently before you, evoking a deep sense of reverence. Walking slowly along the park’s cement path, you’ll find lush green grass and vibrant flowers lining both sides; clear streams ripple with willow branches brushing the water; at the foot of the mountain are rows of lychee trees and groves of bamboo… Within the shade of the lychee trees lies an ancient tomb from the Ming Dynasty — the tomb of Sun Yat-sen’s third-generation ancestor. Backed by a triangular, flag-like verdant hill and facing the Lion Sea, it is a feng shui treasure of exceptional beauty. Every year during the Qingming and Chongyang Festivals, descendants of the Sun clan travel from afar across the Pearl River to pay homage here, expressing the gratitude of future generations for the kindness and virtue of their ancestors, vividly reflecting the traditional Chinese values of loyalty and filial piety... Zhongshan Park is not only picturesque and pleasant, but has also become a solemn place for people to recall the noble character of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, remember the virtues of their ancestors, and cultivate their own moral character.

Sun Yat-sen (1866–1925), given name Wen, courtesy name Zaiyi, also known as Risun or Yixian, childhood name Dixiang, alias Zhongshanqiao, commonly referred to as Zhongshan. He was born into a farming family in Cuiheng Village, Xiangshan County (now Zhongshan City), Guangdong Province. In his youth, influenced by the tradition of struggle among the people of Guangdong, he admired the revolutionary cause of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom. He was a pioneer of China’s modern nationalist-democratic revolution, a great forerunner of the democratic revolution, the founder of the Republic of China and the Kuomintang, an advocate of the Three Principles of the People, and the creator of the Five-Power Constitution. He was the first to raise the banner of complete opposition to feudalism... More details about Sun Yat-sen ++

Chang’an Town: Located at the southernmost tip of Dongguan City, Guangdong Province, Chang’an Town borders the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone to the east, faces the Pearl River Estuary to the south, connects to the ancient fortress of Humen to the west, and leans against the scenic Lotus Mountain to the north. Guangshen Expressway, National Highway 107, and Provincial Highway S358 run through the town, making it the southern gateway for transportation between Guangzhou, Dongguan, and Shenzhen. Covering a total area of 83 square kilometers, it governs 13 village (residents) committees, with a registered population of over 35,000, a floating migrant population of more than 600,000, and over 30,000 overseas Chinese.

After more than 20 years of construction and development since the reform and opening up, Chang’an Town has initially achieved the transition from agriculture to... More details about Chang’an Town ++