Sun Yat sen Memorial Hall

Located in 62Wende Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall is one of the most iconic buildings. It is also an important place for large-scale gatherings and performances in Guangzhou.

It has witnessed many historical events. In 1936, people from all circles had a large-scale parade to ban on opium-smoking and the opium trade. After the Japanese aggressor surrendered after signing the agreement in September1945, various activities are held to commemorate Sun Yat-sen. Many provincial meetings and art performances take place there, such as the Education Fund Activity, Guangzhou international group wedding ceremony, the 100th anniversary of Mao Zedong’s birth, the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Long March and the 50th anniversary of the victory of Anti-Japanese War and world anti-fascist war and so on.

Structural features:
Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall is a cultural relic site under nation-level and province-level protection. The monumental building is built by Guangzhou people and overseas Chinese’s financing so as to commemorate the great revolutionary forerunner Sun Yat-sen. The project was started in 1929 and completed 1931.

It is a magnificent octagonal-shaped building with dignified appearance and strong ethnic characteristics. Designers cleverly used the configuration principle of architectural mechanics, using reinforced concrete structure. The span is up to 71 meters. There is no pillar within the architectural space, making this building even more magnificent.

Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hal has a slightly octagonal surface. The construction area is 8,700 square meters. Together with the affiliated buildings in the east and the west and the backstage lounge and underground dressing room, the total area of this building is 12,000 square meters. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall uses wood piles as the foundation together with reinforced concrete structures. The thickness of walls (which are reinforced concrete shear walls) on four sides is 50 cm (1.6404 ft) so that it can load the full weight of the roof. The roof is supported by oval-shaped cylinders. The span of the hall is 30 meters without any pillar. The volume is 50,000 cubic meters with 5,000 seats inside, making this hall the largest hall building.

Maintenance:
On the eve of 1949, Yat-sen Memorial Hall has been severely damaged because of long-overdue maintenance. After 1949, the People's Government began to repair and consummate the facilities from the early 1950s to 1988, during which special funds had been allocated seven times for the project. Again in 1998, 60 million Yuan was allocated to conduct a comprehensive and integrated maintenance of Yat-sen Memorial Hall. A lot of internal facilities were replaced. The square and the environment were further beautified. As a result, this historic building is full of vitality.

Yat-sen Memorial Hall, being the most iconic buildings in Guangzhou, is an important place for large-scale gatherings and art performances. Meanwhile, it is a sightseeing destination that is popular with both Chinese and foreign people.

Tips:
1. Opening hours: 8:00 a.m.—6:00 p.m.
2. You can get there by taking No. 27, 33, 42, 80, 85, 133, 185, 261, 293,  224, 283 and 289 Bus.