I. First Encounter with the Great Man’s Hometown: A 5A Hidden Gem with a Century of History
As the Lingnan countryside outside the car window is gradually replaced by ancient villages with blue tiles and white walls, the sea breeze from the Pearl River Estuary carries a profound sense of history, and Sun Yat-sen’s Hometown Tourist Area unfolds in such an artistic conception. Located in Cuiheng Village, Cuiheng New Area (Nanlang Sub-district), Zhongshan City, Guangdong Province, the scenic area faces the Pearl River Estuary to the east, backs onto Wugui Mountain to the west, and is adjacent to Hong Kong and Macao. It is about 20 kilometers away from downtown Zhongshan and 90 kilometers from downtown Guangzhou, with the outlines of Shenzhen and Hong Kong visible across the river.
Covering an area of 3.15 square kilometers, the five core scenic spots—Sun Yat-sen’s Former Residence Memorial Museum, Cuiheng Village, Zhongshan Town, 1911 Revolution Memorial Park, and Litoujian Mountain—coexist in harmony, fully reproducing Sun Yat-sen’s complete life trajectory from birth and growth to his devotion to the revolution.
What is even more memorable is that on November 4, 2016, it was awarded the plaque of “National AAAAA Tourist Attraction”. It is not only the first 5A scenic area in Zhongshan City, but also the 12th in Guangdong Province and the first 5A scenic area in the province with culture as its core brand. Wandering here, every inch of land underfoot carries stories, and every frame of scenery in sight blends tradition and innovation, making it a cultural tracing journey spanning a century.
II. In-depth Tour of Core Scenic Spots: A Two-way Journey of History and Experience
(1) Sun Yat-sen’s Former Residence Memorial Museum: Touching the Life Trajectory of the Great Man
As the soul of the tourist area, Sun Yat-sen’s Former Residence Memorial Museum has developed into a national first-class museum and a national patriotic education demonstration base since its establishment in 1956. Within its 200,000-square-meter management scope, seven exhibition areas form a three-dimensional and diversified cultural matrix.
Entering here, the first thing that catches the eye is the two-story brick-wood structure building combining Chinese and Western styles—Sun Yat-sen’s Former Residence. Designed and built by Sun Yat-sen himself in 1892, the residence faces west with its back to the east. With a construction area of 340 square meters, the front yard, main building, and backyard are surrounded by walls, and the site of the ancestral house where he was born is beside the well on the left side of the front yard.
Particularly precious is the tamarind tree in the courtyard, which Sun Yat-sen brought back from Honolulu and planted in 1883. Although it was once blown down by a typhoon, it tenaciously grew into a lying dragon shape, witnessing a century of storms.
The exhibitions in the memorial museum are full of treasures: the first-floor exhibition Sun Yat-sen’s Life and Career systematically sorts out the struggle course of the revolutionary forerunner, and manuscripts, old photos, and physical exhibits tell the turbulent years of the 1911 Revolution in detail; the second-floor exhibition Sun Yat-sen’s Relatives and Descendants shows the support and sacrifices of his family for his revolutionary cause.
In addition, the martyr memorial exhibition in the Yang Yin Former Residence Exhibition Area, the original display of Lu Haodong’s Former Residence, and the “songs, dances, food, and arts” characteristic projects in the intangible cultural heritage exhibition area make history tangible.
The agricultural culture exhibition area is particularly unique. On the land where Sun Yat-sen once worked, rice fields, mulberry fish ponds, and farm tool exhibitions restore the Lingnan farming style, allowing people to intuitively feel the social environment in which the great man grew up.
👉 Practical Tips:
- Opening Hours: 9:00—17:30 (entry stops at 17:00); extended to 18:00 on weekends and statutory holidays from May to September (entry stops at 17:30)
- Ticket: Free (some temporary special exhibitions may charge fees)
- Must-Experience: Rent an electric audio guide (20 yuan per unit) to listen to the stories behind cultural relics; visit Yat-sen Library, browse 130,000 volumes of collected documents, and feel the profound heritage of the Sun Yat-sen Research Information Center
(2) Cuiheng Village: A Lingnan Folk Custom Picture Scroll in Time
As a national historical and cultural village with a 300-year history, Cuiheng Village is the key code to interpreting Sun Yat-sen’s growth trajectory. Backing onto Wugui Mountain to the north and facing the Pearl River Estuary to the south, it has winding bluestone roads and row upon row of wok-ear houses, preserving more than 20 cultural relics protection units, which perfectly interprets the ecological museum concept of “symbiosis of tangible and intangible cultural heritage”.
In the Cuiheng Folk Residence Exhibition Area, 17 old folk houses restore the social style of the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China: the simulated Sun family residence is simple and plain, with the arrangement of divine tables and eight immortals tables no different from ordinary farmers’ homes, allowing people to understand the origin of the people’s livelihoodism of “land to the tiller”; the tall and grand houses of the Yang family, who were official-merchant landlords, are exquisitely carved, showing the prestige of the powerful and wealthy; the small shop of the “Tofu Xiu” family, the exotic furnishings of overseas Chinese families, and the simple residences of poor families form a microcosm of the society at that time.
In the folk custom exhibition hall, exhibits such as the nine-course banquet for birthday celebrations, dragon and phoenix gilded beds, and wedding sedan chairs and dowries vividly reproduce the festival customs and marriage customs of the Pearl River Delta; the watchtower at the village entrance also carries Sun Yat-sen’s innovative ideas. After returning to his hometown in 1883, he proposed to set up a watchtower and organize a night police corps. Today, the fire buckets and water guns in the tower still silently tell that past event.
👉 Practical Tips:
- Tour Route: Starting from Sun Yat-sen’s Former Residence, walk along Cuiheng Avenue for 5 minutes to reach the folk residence exhibition area; it is recommended to be accompanied by a commentator (50 yuan for groups of less than 5 people)
- Must-Experience: Look for Lingnan architectural features in the ancient village, such as oyster shell walls and horizontal bar gates; taste the time-honored bowl cakes and ginger milk curd at the village entrance to experience authentic folk flavors
(3) Zhongshan Town: A Film and Television Cultural Tourism Resort for Instant Time Travel
Adjacent to the former residence memorial museum, Zhongshan Town is a film and television base built for shooting the TV drama Sun Yat-sen. Covering an area of 266 mu, the park’s four major scenic areas—China, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Chang’an Town—condense the essence of Chinese and Western architecture and have won the title of “Top 10 Film and Television Cities in China”.
Stepping into here is like starting a time travel journey: the China Scenic Area reproduces revolutionary landmarks such as Nanjing Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum and Whampoa Military Academy, and the precious materials in the 1911 Revolution Historical Picture Exhibition Hall make people’s blood boil; the New York Street and Chinatown in the US Scenic Area are full of exotic customs, and the wooden colonnade houses in western towns have a natural movie filter; the London Police Station and the Qing Embassy in the UK in the UK Scenic Area restore the historical scene of Sun Yat-sen’s detention in London.
The most surprising is the Chang’an Town Scenic Area, the first super 4,000-square-meter real-scene immersive film city in South China, where the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty and the urban customs blend. Put on Hanfu to participate in the script game Chang’an Secret Box and interact closely with NPCs to solve puzzles; the water-splashing carnival during summer vacations and the night tour of Chang’an Never Sleeps City are full of atmosphere, with fish lantern parades and the situational song and dance drama Jun Bu Jian making the night lively.
In addition, the cute pet interaction in Deer Island Garden, the film-drama-level portraits in the wedding photography hall, and the characteristic souvenirs in the Zhongshan Story Specialty Store (Dayong mahogany, agarwood cultural and creative products, lion dance ornaments) all enrich the travel experience.
👉 Practical Tips:
- Opening Hours: 8:30—18:30 (open all year round)
- Ticket: 65 yuan per adult, 35 yuan per student; additional 19.9 yuan per person for Deer Island Garden, photo packages start at 299 yuan
- Must-Experience: Weekend street theater performances (Street Fun and Dance of the Foggy City), night tour of Chang’an Never Sleeps City (open from Wednesday to Sunday); stay at Ousu Mountain Residence in the scenic area, with camping-style rooms and starry night views, and packages including two-person tickets start at only 288 yuan
(4) 1911 Revolution Memorial Park: A Poetic Blend of Commemoration and Leisure
Covering an area of about 20,000 square meters, the 1911 Revolution Memorial Park is a spiritual landmark for commemorating revolutionary martyrs. With a design style of “Chinese-Western eclecticism” and drawing on the layout of British and Japanese royal gardens, the park perfectly integrates commemorative and recreational functions: the Chinese-style corridor with gray brick walls winds and turns, the archway western pavilion is simple and elegant, and revolutionary-themed relief stone carvings and stone statues are scattered around, telling the 1911 spirit of “daring to be the first”.
Walking on the gravel-covered trail, an artificial stream surrounds the central lawn, with dappled light and shadow among the lush flowers and trees, and the breeze from the Pearl River Estuary brings bursts of fragrance. There are no noisy crowds here, only a quiet atmosphere that allows people to calm down and reflect.
Climbing to the viewing platform and looking into the distance, the green of Wugui Mountain and the vastness of the Pearl River Estuary are fully visible, allowing people to feel the family and country feelings of the revolutionary ancestors in the natural beauty. Taking a walk or jogging here in the early morning or evening, or sitting on a bench reading historical books, are all rare comfortable experiences.
👉 Practical Tips:
- Opening Hours: Free open 24/7
- Best Tour Time: Early morning (quiet with few people), evening (watching the sunset glow)
- Peripheral Connection: It can be reached on foot in 10 minutes from Sun Yat-sen’s Former Residence Memorial Museum; it is recommended to arrange a visit to the former residence and Cuiheng Village in the same half-day
(5) Litoujian Mountain: A Natural Hidden Gem for Climbing and Viewing
As the ecological highlight of the tourist area, Litoujian Mountain is connected to Wugui Mountain. The hiking trail is 7.5 kilometers long with a high tree shade coverage rate, making it the first choice for mountain climbing in summer. Navigate to the parking lot of Yuntishan Forest Park (free and unlimited time), start from the entrance, walk along the Yuntishan trail, cross the Hengjing Reservoir Dam, and you can admire wonders such as the “Strong Tree” along the way. After passing through several steep sections, you can reach the viewing platform of Litoujian Mountain.
Standing on the big rock at the top of the mountain, the view suddenly opens up: the coastline of Lingdingyang winds and stretches, the blue tiles and white walls of Cuiheng Village are inlaid in the green countryside, and the exotic buildings of Zhongshan Town and the garden scenery of the 1911 Revolution Memorial Park are clearly visible. The sea breeze blows, dispersing the tiredness of climbing, allowing people to feel the pride of “reaching the top of the mountain” in nature.
You can choose to return via the loop line when going down the mountain, passing through a simple rest area to replenish energy. The whole journey is of moderate difficulty, suitable for family tours or outdoor enthusiasts.
👉 Practical Tips:
- Hiking Route: Yuntishan Entrance → Hengjing Reservoir Dam → Litoujian Mountain Viewing Platform → Yuntishan Rest Pavilion (7.5-kilometer loop, takes about 3 hours)
- Notes: Wear non-slip sports shoes, carry drinking water and sun protection supplies; some sections are steep, so do what you can
- Best Season: Spring and autumn (cool climate), summer (shade for heatstroke prevention)
III. Comprehensive Practical Guide: Making the Trip Smoother
(1) Transportation Methods
- Self-driving: Navigate to “Sun Yat-sen’s Former Residence Memorial Museum”; there are sufficient parking lots around the scenic area, some of which are free (such as Yuntishan Parking Lot)
- Public Transportation:
- Bus: Take routes 082, 215, 218, K26, or K28 to get off at “Sun Yat-sen’s Former Residence (Yang Yin’s Former Residence)” Station
- High-speed Railway: Transfer from Guangzhou South/Zhuhai/Zhongshan Station to Cuiheng Station/Nanlang Station by light rail, then transfer to bus to reach directly
- Air/Shipping: After arriving at Guangzhou/Zhuhai Airport or Zhongshan Port Wharf, transfer to light rail + bus to reach
(2) Accommodation Recommendations
- Zhongshan Story Resort · Ousu Mountain Residence (in Zhongshan Town): Camping-style design, including scenic area tickets, suitable for tourists who want to deeply experience the film and television city
- Nanlang Sub-district Homestays: There are many Lingnan-style homestays around Cuiheng Village, priced at 150-300 yuan per night, convenient for visiting the ancient village
- High-end Option: Hotels in downtown Zhongshan (20 kilometers away from the scenic area), suitable for tourists pursuing comfortable accommodation
(3) Food Recommendations
- Lingnan Specialties: Nine-course banquet (traditional feast), Shiqi roast pigeon, Huangpu sausage, Shaxi braised pork
- Local Snacks: Bowl cake, ginger milk curd, almond cake (souvenirs can be purchased at specialty stores in Zhongshan Town)
- Dining Locations: Restaurants at the entrance of Cuiheng Village, restaurants in Zhongshan Town, Nanlang Sub-district Food Street
(4) Itinerary Suggestions
- One-day Tour: Sun Yat-sen’s Former Residence Memorial Museum (3 hours) → Cuiheng Village (2 hours) → 1911 Revolution Memorial Park (1 hour) → Zhongshan Town (4 hours, including dinner)
- Two-day One-night Tour:
- Day 1: Former Residence Memorial Museum → Cuiheng Village → 1911 Revolution Memorial Park → Check in at Ousu Mountain Residence → Night tour of Chang’an Never Sleeps City
- Day 2: Climb Litoujian Mountain → Interactive experience in Zhongshan Town → Buy souvenirs and return
(5) Tips
- Best Tour Season: March-May (spring blossoms), September-November (cool climate)
- Guided Service: The former residence memorial museum provides manual explanation (100 yuan for groups of less than 10 people), and advance reservation is recommended
- Photo Spots: The Republic of China Street and Chang’an Town Scenic Area in Zhongshan Town are suitable for taking photos in Hanfu; the Litoujian Mountain Viewing Platform is ideal for panoramic photos
- Cultural Experience: Follow the scenic area’s official WeChat account to keep abreast of temporary special exhibitions, intangible cultural heritage performances and other activities
