Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall
中山纪念堂
An octagonal palatial assembly hall completed in 1931, with blue glazed tiles and a huge column-free dome, the most Republican-era landmark in Guangzhou.
The Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall stands at the southern foot of Yuexiu Hill. It was built in 1931 to commemorate Sun Yat-sen, funded by overseas Chinese donors and designed by the architect Lü Yanzhi. It is a national key cultural heritage site. The main building is an octagonal palatial hall 47 metres high, with blue glazed roof tiles, red colonnades and white stone balustrades. Beneath the steel dome, which spans 71 metres, there is not a single column. It can seat over 3,000 people and still hosts performances and gatherings. Highlights include the bronze statue of Sun Yat-sen at the front entrance and the square, the painted dome and stage inside, and the “Kapok King,” a kapok tree over 300 years old in front of the hall, which is most spectacular when it blooms in March. The exhibition hall on the east side tells the story of the hall’s construction and Sun Yat-sen’s activities in Guangzhou. Entry to the grounds is free, and visiting the great hall costs 10 yuan, though access may be restricted during rehearsals. Getting there: Metro Line 2, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall station, Exit C. A ten-minute walk takes you to Yuexiu Park (Five Rams Statue, Zhenhai Tower and Guangzhou Museum) and the Nanyue King Museum royal tomb section. Consider linking the Memorial Hall, Yuexiu Park, the Nanyue King Museum and Beijing Road into a historical route through Yuexiu, which takes about an hour. Note that events are sometimes held in the square, and roads nearby may be closed.
Opening hours
08:00–18:00 (main hall 09:00–17:30)
Nearby sights
- Nanyue King Museum (Mausoleum Site)
- Yuexiu Park (Five Rams Statue & Zhenhai Tower)
- Temple of the Six Banyan Trees
- Nanyue King Museum – Palace Site
- Guangxiao Temple
- Beijing Road Pedestrian Street
- Dafo Temple (Guangzhou)
- Huaisheng Mosque (Guangta)