North Gate Square of Sun Yat-sen University

North Gate Square of Sun Yat-sen University

North Gate Square of Sun Yat-sen University is located in front of the university’s north gate (to the north), extending directly to the banks of the Pearl River, covering an area of 17,000 square meters. It consists of the Sun Yat-sen University Archway, the university emblem, the motto, and elements of the school’s history. The archway features six characters written in the handwriting of Dr. Sun Yat-sen: “National Sun Yat-sen University.” The square not only showcases Guangzhou’s character as a historic city but also preserves the riverside feature of Sun Yat-sen University, safeguarding the spirit and traditions of the university.

The Sun Yat-sen University Archway is the most eye-catching structure in the square. It is a classic Chinese two-story traditional archway, reconstructed based on the style of the old archway of the university. Historically, due to the water transport route from Zhongda Pier to Tianzi Pier, the main buildings on campus were oriented to face south with their backs to the north, making the north gate the main entrance. The bronze statue of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, a symbolic landmark of the university, also faces north, symbolizing the “Northern Expedition.” The Yat-sen main axis resembles a pen extending from the Pearl River, with the tip pointing south and the body to the north, signifying the continuous inflow of talent — that elites from all over gather at Sun Yat-sen University.

In the Kanghua Garden (Sun Yat-sen University campus), there is a central north-south axis that stretches from the South Gate Archway in the south to the North Gate Archway in the north. This axis was established during the Lingnan University period. Walking north along this axis and passing through the north gate leads you directly to the banks of the Pearl River. Whether swimming in the river in the 1960s and 1970s or strolling or boating past it today, locals and university members alike are familiar with the North Gate Archway.

Historical images tell us that the original Lingnan University had an archway erected on the river embankment at the north gate, bearing the four characters “Lingnan University.” After the 1952 restructuring when Sun Yat-sen University moved into Kanghua Garden, the inscription on the north gate archway was changed to “Sun Yat-sen University,” using calligraphy characters selected from those of Mao Zedong. During the Cultural Revolution, the archway tilted and collapsed. It was not until 2001 that the Guangzhou municipal government invested in building North Gate Square of Sun Yat-sen University. In addition to the standing Sun Yat-sen University Archway, the square incorporated the university emblem, motto, and historical elements, preserving the riverside layout while upholding the spirit and traditions of the university.

Speaking of this archway, it is a reconstruction modeled after the original. The original Sun Yat-sen University Archway was located on the slope of Wushan Road, built in 1935. It blended Western architectural styles with traditional Chinese decorative elements. The front plaque originally bore six bold red regular-script characters written by President Zou Lu: “National Sun Yat-sen University.” After the departmental adjustments and the university’s relocation from Shipai, the plaque was changed to the characters “Serve the People,” handwritten by Mao Zedong, which remain to this day. The current North Gate Archway of Sun Yat-sen University has restored President Zou Lu’s original calligraphy, reflecting the cultivation and stature of this leading university in southern China.

Address: North Gate Square of Sun Yat-sen University, Binjiang East Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou City

Type: Square

Recommended visiting time: 10–30 minutes

Opening hours:

Open all day

Ticket information:

No admission fee.