Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum

Written by Kirin Qi

Image from Arrival Guides, Dr. Sun Yatsen's Mausoleum

当我来到中山陵，想起网上盛传的‘一座中山陵，半部近代史’的话，在历史书上看到的孙中山先生的照片，不经感叹我真来到了中山陵！

中山陵是我国国父孙中山的陵墓，整体构成一座立起的钟以此来唤起民众并依靠着紫金山，蓝色的玻璃瓦片勾起了历史的烟尘。同时在这里可以看到‘天下为公’的陵门，还能感受到孙先生‘革命尚未成功，同志仍需努力’的精神。在中山陵你可以欣赏到层层石阶与两道松柏。透露着庄严和肃穆。

然而中山陵也存在一些问题。文化解读力度的不全，即使有讲解，但是没有深入了解，关于历史背景只存在表面。如果不对该方面有所研究，游客只能停留在拍照的层次。其次高峰期堵车问题严重，大大影响到了游客旅游的舒适度。

When I came to Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s Mausoleum, I thought of the phrase, “Dr. Sun Yatsen’s Mausoleum is Half of Modern Chinese History,” from journals on the internet. The only photo of Mr. Sun Yat-sen that has existed in my life is in my history textbook; thus, I couldn't help but look in awe at the magnificent architecture for its vividness in front of me.

Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s Mausoleum is the resting place of Sun Yat-sen, the founder of the Republic of China. The whole mausoleum forms a standing clock when viewed from above, serving as a reminder for continuous improvement. The blue glass tiles evoke the smoke of history in my mind. At the same time, you can see the tomb gate with the title "the world is public" here, and you can also feel Mr. Sun's spirit of "the revolution has not been successful, and comrades still need to work hard". In Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s Mausoleum, you can enjoy layers of stone steps and two pine and cypress trees. It reveals the ultimate feeling of solemnity.

However, there are some issues with Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s Mausoleum. First, the strength of cultural interpretation is incomplete due to the government’s cultural censorship. It resulted in the outcome that even if there is an explanation, there is no in-depth understanding, and thus, the historical background explained is superficial. If the officials make no change on this aspect, tourists can merely stay at the level of photo-taking. Second, the traffic jam during peak hours is a serious problem, which greatly affects the comfort index of tourists.

Written by Charlie Yin

中山陵给我的印象是庄重而宁静的。台阶很多，但思考着走起来却不觉得累，反而像是在一点点靠近一位值得尊敬的人。环顾四周，陵墓的颜色素净，没有张扬的金碧辉煌，却让人有一种深深的敬意，随着四周整齐又安静的松柏伫立。站在中山先生的墓前，我没说话，心里却很充实。他不是离我们很远的人，而是一直在那里，看着这个国家经历风风雨雨，兴衰成败。整个地方没有强烈的刺激，却能让人沉下心来去想一想，什么才是真正重要的东西。

The Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum left me with a solemn and tranquil impression. There are many steps, but walking thoughtfully never felt tiring; instead, it felt like I was gradually approaching a figure worthy of respect. Looking around, the mausoleum's plain colors, devoid of ostentatious splendor, evoke a deep sense of respect, surrounded by the neat and quiet pine and cypress trees. Standing before Dr. Sun Yat-sen's tomb, I remained silent, yet my heart was filled with clamor. Dr. Sun Yat-sen is not a distant figure; he has always been there, witnessing this country through its ups and downs, its successes and failures. The entire place has a paucity of "intense stimulation" visually, thus it allows one to calm down and reflect on what truly matters.

Written by 宇涵

再游中山陵，我数到第八层平台时忽然停住——392级台阶的数字在耳边炸响，像先生临终心跳的计数。抬头望见祭堂青瓦被秋雨洗得发亮，忽然懂得：这哪是陵墓，分明是先生给少年留的“登天梯”。

最戳我的是碑亭里那块无字碑，空白的石头比所有悼词都响，像在说“革命尚未成功”的接力棒已传到我们手心。

我建议把陵寝侧柏认养计划开放给学生：每人认领一棵同龄树，用年轮记录自己的环保行动；再设“少年护陵员”轮值，把乱爬拍照的游客变成我们的“文明劝导先锋者”。

保护中山陵不是守旧石头，而是让每代人都爬上这392级台阶，在喘气那刻听见先生问：“少年，你今日可曾让中国更好一点？”

Visiting Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum again, I stopped at the eighth terrace—the number 392 steps rang in my ears like the final beats of the great man’s heart. Looking up at the memorial hall, its blue tiles gleaming under autumn rain, I suddenly understood: this is no tomb, but the “ladder to the heavens” he left for the youth.

What struck me most was the blank stele inside the pavilion. Its silence spoke louder than any epitaph, as if declaring that the baton of “the revolution has not yet succeeded” has already been passed into our hands.

I propose opening the cypress adoption program to students: each could adopt a tree of the same age, recording their environmental actions in its rings; furthermore, a “youth guardian” rotation could be set up, turning unruly visitors who climb or take photos into advocates of civility.

To protect the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum is not merely to preserve old stones, but to ensure that every generation climbs these 392 steps and, in that moment of breathlessness, hears the question: “Young one, have you made China a little better today?”