Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum
Xuanwu, Nanjing
The grand marble memorial to modern China's founding father, set against a forested mountain.
Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum sits on Purple Mountain's south slope, approached by 392 steps that rise through forests to a brilliant white hall. The architecture blends Chinese and Western styles, and the view over Nanjing from the top is worth every step.
It sits inside the Zhongshan Scenic Area alongside the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum. Combine both in one morning - the area is a 30-minute metro ride from the center.
Best for: Modern China's most important memorial, with a view that rewards the climb.
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