Atlas of China
Purple Mountain & Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum 南京钟山风景区Nánjīng Zhōngshān Fēngjǐngqū
A forested mountain on Nanjing's edge, crowned by a blue-roofed hilltop tomb
- Best time
- Apr–May, late Oct–Nov
- Time needed
- 1 day
- Days to budget
- 1 day
- Stay in
- Nanjing
- Region
- Jiangsu
- Type
- Heritage
- Listed as
- 5A scenic area, National heritage site
Why go to Purple Mountain & Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum
Purple Mountain rises just east of Nanjing's Ming city wall, its wooded slopes holding some of the city's most important monuments. A broad stairway climbs to the white-walled, blue-tiled mausoleum of Sun Yat-sen, while nearby the tomb of the first Ming emperor is approached along a Sacred Way guarded by stone elephants, camels and lions. In autumn, plane trees and maples turn the whole hillside gold and red.
The story
Sun Yat-sen, who led the movement that ended China's last imperial dynasty, asked to be buried on Purple Mountain; his mausoleum was completed in 1929. Seen from the air, the complex is laid out in the shape of a bell, meant as a call to wake the nation, and the climb to the top is 392 steps.
What to see at Purple Mountain & Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum
- Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum 中山陵: A white-walled, blue-tiled hilltop tomb reached by a broad stairway of 392 steps through a bell-shaped layout of forecourts and gates.
- Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum 明孝陵: The tomb of the Hongwu Emperor, founder of the Ming dynasty and part of the UNESCO-listed Ming and Qing imperial tombs, with ruined halls and a tall earth mound.
- Xiaoling Sacred Way 明孝陵神道: An avenue lined with stone lions, camels, elephants and officials leading to the tomb.
- Plum Blossom Hill 梅花山: A hillside of thousands of plum trees beside Xiaoling, at its best in a late-winter blossom festival.
- Linggu Temple and Beamless Hall 灵谷寺与无梁殿: A Ming-era vaulted hall of 1381 built of brick and stone without timber beams, set in a quiet pine-wooded temple precinct.
- Linggu Pagoda 灵谷塔: A nine-storey, octagonal 1930s tower built as a memorial; it can usually be climbed for views over the forested slopes.
How to visit Purple Mountain & Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum
Take Metro Line 2 to Xiamafang and begin with the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum and its Sacred Way, then take a shuttle or walk on to Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum for the climb to the top. Linggu Temple is a short shuttle ride further east. A full day covers all three areas without hurrying; with half a day, choose Xiaoling or the mausoleum alone.
How to get to Purple Mountain & Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum
Metro Line 2 runs from central Nanjing to the foot of the mountain in about 20 minutes, and sightseeing shuttles link the main sites. Nanjing itself is roughly 1–1.5 hours from Shanghai by high-speed train.
Where to stay
Stay in the Xuanwu district or around Xinjiekou in central Nanjing; Metro Line 2 reaches the mountain's foot in about 20 minutes, so there is no need to sleep nearby.
What to eat
- Duck oil shaobing 鸭油酥烧饼: A flaky baked bun with a duck-fat crust, sold at roadside stalls and in town.
- Temple vegetarian fare 灵谷寺素斋: A vegetarian restaurant near Linggu Pagoda serves simple temple-style dishes and noodles.
- Salted duck 盐水鸭: Nanjing's signature cold duck, easy to find in restaurants in the Xuanwu district.
Tips for visiting Purple Mountain & Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum
- Entry to the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum must be reserved in advance online, using your passport; the mausoleum is closed on Mondays except public holidays.
- The sights are spread out and linked by long, tree-shaded walks, so wear comfortable shoes.
- Pair it with the Ming Xiaoling Sacred Way, at its best when the ginkgos and maples turn in November.
Nearby
- Fuzimiao and the Qinhuai River 夫子庙—秦淮风光带 under 10 km
Nanjing's lantern-lit Confucius Temple quarter, beside painted boats on the Qinhuai - City Wall of Nanjing 南京城墙 under 10 km
The Ming capital's brick ramparts, anchored by the vast fortress of Zhonghua Gate - Slender West Lake 瘦西湖 70 km
A ribbon of willow-fringed water lined with the pavilions of Qing salt merchants
Also within 30 km: Nanjing Museum 南京博物院 (under 10 km), Ming Palace Ruins 明故宫遗址 (under 10 km), Meiyuan Xincun Memorial Hall 梅园新村纪念馆 (under 10 km), Former Academia Sinica Buildings 国立中央研究院旧址 (under 10 km), Former National Central University 中央大学旧址 (under 10 km), Presidential Palace, Nanjing 南京总统府 (under 10 km).
On the map
Open Purple Mountain & Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum on the illustrated map to see the terrain around it, what else is close, and to add it to a trip and plan the days.
Open Purple Mountain & Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum on the map