If there is one must see for Dave in Nanjing, it is Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum. Years ago the Mausoleum was free to visit, except for the Sacrificial Hall, where you had to pay fifty cents for shoe covers, to protect the flooring inside. Now the Mausoleum and the nearby area are considered Zhongshan Mountain Scenic Area (钟山景区), you had to pay to get in. A combo ticket of the Mausoleum and the Linggu Scenic Area cost 80 RMB/person, no senior discount unless you are Nanjing locals.
1. Approaching Zhongshan Mountain Scenic Area.
2. The Memorial Archway to the Mausoleum.
3. The tri-arched marble gate is inscribed with four Chinese characters written by Dr. Sun, "Tian Xia Wei Gong" which means "What is under heaven is for all".
4. The lion in front of the gate.
5. Beyond the gate is the Stele Pavilion.
6. After the Stele Pavilion, many stairs up, is the Sacrificial Hall. I remember when I was little, these stairs seemed endless. Now it doesn't look so intimidating any more. The brochure says, from the Memorial Archway to the Sacrificial Hall, there are 392 stairs.
7. Lion along the stairs going up, on the right.
8. Lion along the stairs going up, on the left. See the color difference on its front right leg? According to a tour guide, during the Culture Revolution, the lion was damaged by the Red Guards. Premier Zhou Enlai had to put the Mausoleum under military control to prevent further damage.
9. The Sacrificial Hall.
10. Statue of Dr. Sun sits in the center of the hall.
11. Nearby stand a pair of Hua Biao, ancient Chinese ornamental columns.
12. From top of the stairs looking down.
13. Walking back to the Memorial Archway. The fall foliage (mostly Ginkgo) looked really nice.
14. A bronze Ding, ancient Chinese vessel symbolizing power, is placed near the archway.
15. Its lion head feet.
(To be continued)
