Wuzhou Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall

　　The Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall is situated in Zhongshan Park in the heart of Wuzhou. During his preparations for the Northern Expedition, Sun Yat-sen stayed in Wuzhou three times between 1921 and 1922. After Sun Yat-sen passed away in Beijing on March 12, 1925, Li Jishen, head of the Wuzhou Aftermath Office, proposed raising funds to build a 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 Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Patriotic Education Base.

　　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, 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. Stone lions and flower stands flank the entrance. The front section of the hall features a four-story tower with a domed roof. 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 houses a thousand-seat auditorium.

　　In front of the memorial hall lies a lotus pond, with stone steps leading down to the foot of the hill. The main hall features a podium at the front, with a bronze bust of Sun Yat-sen and the full text of his will displayed above the center. On either side of the podium are inscribed Sun Yat-sen’s famous last words: “The revolution is not yet complete; comrades still need to strive.” The hall also displays photo exhibitions and replicas of historical artifacts related to Sun Yat-sen’s life. The exhibits systematically introduce the life and achievements of Sun Yat-sen, the great pioneer of China’s democratic revolution, with a special focus on his three visits to Wuzhou in early 1922. During these visits, 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 is designed in the shape of the Chinese characters “中” (middle) and “山” (mountain), forming the name “Zhongshan” (Sun Yat-sen). The architectural design combines classical Chinese palace style with Western church elements, showcasing a unique blend of Chinese and Western architectural artistry. The first floor houses two exhibition halls featuring photos of Sun Yat-sen, the great pioneer of China’s democratic revolution. The second floor also has two exhibition halls displaying photos of Sun Yat-sen’s relatives and descendants.

　　Four iron pillars from the Guijiang pontoon bridge stand on either side of the entrance to the memorial hall. The garden outside the hall hosts an exhibition of Ming and Qing dynasty cannons from Wuzhou. The backyard of the memorial hall also features an exhibition of Ming and Qing cannons. Wuzhou has the largest number and variety of cannons in Guangxi, including displayed pieces such as Hongyi cannons, Jiangjun cannons, Shenfei cannons, and Western-style cannons.

　　

　　Sun Yat-sen (1866~1925)　　Sun Yat-sen (1866–1925), whose given name was Wen, courtesy name Zaizhi, literary names Risun and Yixian, childhood name Dixiang, and alias Zhongshanqiao, often used the name Zhongshan. He was born into a farming family in Cuiheng Village, Xiangshan County (now Zhongshan City), Guangdong Province. In his youth, influenced by the revolutionary traditions of the people of Guangdong, he admired the revolutionary cause of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom. He was a pioneer of China’s modern national 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 anti-feudalism, “establishing a republic and ending two thousand years of feudal monarchy.” 19...... Details+