Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall
Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall
4.5
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Neighbourhood: Novena
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4.5
90 reviews
Excellent
39
Very good
39
Average
12
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Choo-Beng G
Singapore, Singapore374 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
A historically significant site given the importance of the position China has in the geo political sphere today. This will enable an appreciation of the circumstance that led to the end of the last imperial dynasty in China and the revolutionary fervor that was led by Dr Sun.
It wasn’t an easy task and I remember in school his fervour and undying spirit was an inspiring history lesson.
Unfortunately Dr Sun died young and upon his death the young Chinese republic fell into chaos. Imagine what things politically would have been in the mainland and Taiwan if things turned out differently!
Pay attention to the architecture as well. There is an interesting Chinese photographic exhibition on that will show what life was like in Singapore before the tragic Japanese occupation.
It wasn’t an easy task and I remember in school his fervour and undying spirit was an inspiring history lesson.
Unfortunately Dr Sun died young and upon his death the young Chinese republic fell into chaos. Imagine what things politically would have been in the mainland and Taiwan if things turned out differently!
Pay attention to the architecture as well. There is an interesting Chinese photographic exhibition on that will show what life was like in Singapore before the tragic Japanese occupation.
Written 3 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ytlouise
Singapore, Singapore107 contributions
Dec 2018 • Friends
Once, this was his temporary residence during his sojourn in Singapore.
At this site of learning, the national monument chronicles how the Chinese migrants in Southeast Asia supported Dr Sun Yat-Sen’s ideology and the eventual collapse of the Qing dynasty rule. It is amazing that Singapore contributed to the démocratisation of China in early 20th century.
国父孙中山 💗
#ytlouise #learn #history #NewPossibilities #chinese #teochew #heritage
At this site of learning, the national monument chronicles how the Chinese migrants in Southeast Asia supported Dr Sun Yat-Sen’s ideology and the eventual collapse of the Qing dynasty rule. It is amazing that Singapore contributed to the démocratisation of China in early 20th century.
国父孙中山 💗
#ytlouise #learn #history #NewPossibilities #chinese #teochew #heritage
Written 14 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dheer Sanghi
7 contributions
Apr 2019 • Family
The Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall is a national monument and heritage institution managed under the National Heritage Board. It is dedicated to the Singapore-Chinese ethnic group who helped kindle the Chinese revolution of 1911 under Dr. Sun Yat Sen. The memorial is set in a house built by one of Dr. Sun Yat Sen’s friends and followers, where the politician spent a lot of time while in Singapore. It tells a compelling story, rooted in China’s history, showcasing one of its major events.
The museum looks at Dr. Sun's revolutionary activities in Southeast Asia, the contributions of the Singapore Chinese to the 1911 Revolution, as well as the impact of the revolution on Singapore and the Chinese community in Singapore. Dr. Sun had many loyal overseas Chinese supporters such as Teo Eng Hock, Tan Chor Lam and Lim Nee Soon. These were affluent people, known as the Singapore Trio. They provided invaluable support in the form of fundraising activities and the dissemination of revolutionary principles and ideals. Due to the fact that there were 3 different groups that wanted power - the monarchists, the reformists, and the revolutionaries, tensions were high in, and the economic class division was at its highest in China. This tension meant that the outcome of the revolution in China affected the world stage today, and this memorial is a testament to the work done by Singaporeans, to change China’s political setting.
The museum also focuses on lesser-known details of the socio-economic changes brought about during that period. The 3D dioramas, old photos and relevant artifacts all tell a story that is extremely prominent in both Singapore and China’s history.
The Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial is rich in heritage and in remembrance of an important historical event and the figure that helped achieve it, the memorial hall is indeed a good place to spend an educational afternoon!
There were also some interesting quotes by the tour guide:
“Dr. Sun Yat Sen with the Singapore trio changed China’s political landscape for centuries to come.”
“Dr. Sen Yat Sen came with the idea that the Nanyang people could help out their families back home. That’s what made them join.”
The museum looks at Dr. Sun's revolutionary activities in Southeast Asia, the contributions of the Singapore Chinese to the 1911 Revolution, as well as the impact of the revolution on Singapore and the Chinese community in Singapore. Dr. Sun had many loyal overseas Chinese supporters such as Teo Eng Hock, Tan Chor Lam and Lim Nee Soon. These were affluent people, known as the Singapore Trio. They provided invaluable support in the form of fundraising activities and the dissemination of revolutionary principles and ideals. Due to the fact that there were 3 different groups that wanted power - the monarchists, the reformists, and the revolutionaries, tensions were high in, and the economic class division was at its highest in China. This tension meant that the outcome of the revolution in China affected the world stage today, and this memorial is a testament to the work done by Singaporeans, to change China’s political setting.
The museum also focuses on lesser-known details of the socio-economic changes brought about during that period. The 3D dioramas, old photos and relevant artifacts all tell a story that is extremely prominent in both Singapore and China’s history.
The Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial is rich in heritage and in remembrance of an important historical event and the figure that helped achieve it, the memorial hall is indeed a good place to spend an educational afternoon!
There were also some interesting quotes by the tour guide:
“Dr. Sun Yat Sen with the Singapore trio changed China’s political landscape for centuries to come.”
“Dr. Sen Yat Sen came with the idea that the Nanyang people could help out their families back home. That’s what made them join.”
Written 18 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeanette M
Cairns, Australia468 contributions
Apr 2018 • Solo
This is a half day day plan for your amusement:
Hop off the MRT at Novena & exit right. You'll soon be at Novena RC Church. Check out the very beautiful stained glass windows of Bible stories featuring Jesus... Then stroll 3 minutes and take a left turn on Balestier Rd. Stop at Loong Fatt's; 369 Balestier Rd (right side of the street) for the world's best 'tau sar piah' (a flaky pastry with a tau sar piah filling) they come in salty & sweet varieties. 80 cents each. Get a couple of each & try both. I think the salty ones are nicer. Cross to the other side of Balestier Rd & walk another 4 minutes & you'll see a sign for the Dr Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall; actually beautiful colonial villa Wan Qing Yuan, 1880's; Victorian Colonial in style. The admission is like $3 (free for Singaporeans & permanent residents) & well worth it for all the history, memorabilia and interesting facts surrounding the work of Dr SYS. There are ultra-clean toilets here, & you can refill your water bottle at the tap. You could easily spend 2 hours. Don't neglect to have a look at the garden surrounding the villa!
Then right next door is the Burmese Buddhist Temple. Check out the 2 enormous, beautifully carved 'chinthes' (guardian lions) at the front door. Remember to remove shoes & socks, & be very respectful & quiet, & have $1 or so at the ready for the donation box. On the ground floor there's an exquisite white marble Buddha statue (seated) with a halo of LEDs. Upstairs there's an impressive standing gold Buddha statue, also with a halo of LEDs. Very calm & serene. Lots of monks meditating, chanting or performing various quiet jobs around the temple.
Hop off the MRT at Novena & exit right. You'll soon be at Novena RC Church. Check out the very beautiful stained glass windows of Bible stories featuring Jesus... Then stroll 3 minutes and take a left turn on Balestier Rd. Stop at Loong Fatt's; 369 Balestier Rd (right side of the street) for the world's best 'tau sar piah' (a flaky pastry with a tau sar piah filling) they come in salty & sweet varieties. 80 cents each. Get a couple of each & try both. I think the salty ones are nicer. Cross to the other side of Balestier Rd & walk another 4 minutes & you'll see a sign for the Dr Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall; actually beautiful colonial villa Wan Qing Yuan, 1880's; Victorian Colonial in style. The admission is like $3 (free for Singaporeans & permanent residents) & well worth it for all the history, memorabilia and interesting facts surrounding the work of Dr SYS. There are ultra-clean toilets here, & you can refill your water bottle at the tap. You could easily spend 2 hours. Don't neglect to have a look at the garden surrounding the villa!
Then right next door is the Burmese Buddhist Temple. Check out the 2 enormous, beautifully carved 'chinthes' (guardian lions) at the front door. Remember to remove shoes & socks, & be very respectful & quiet, & have $1 or so at the ready for the donation box. On the ground floor there's an exquisite white marble Buddha statue (seated) with a halo of LEDs. Upstairs there's an impressive standing gold Buddha statue, also with a halo of LEDs. Very calm & serene. Lots of monks meditating, chanting or performing various quiet jobs around the temple.
Written 29 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
yewys
Singapore, Singapore134 contributions
May 2016 • Family
Went down to the Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall (Wan Qing Yuan) on 15/05/16. Beautiful grounds, and a very immersive experience about the trials and tribulations the revolutionaries had to go through, to found Modern China. I was pleasantly surprised to see that explanations were provided in English, and Chinese. Guided tours are also available. The Memorial Hall houses a collection of relics, paintings, calligraphies of Dr Sun, His compatriots, especially those from Singapore. The building has been carefully preserved and restored, housing collections of emblems, pins of the Chinese Community that supported the movement in the past. There was also a section devoted to the Chinese Newspaper Publishers of the past, which played a huge role in the revolutionary movement, housing printing presses in excellent condition.
Even if you are not keen on history, the grounds are beautiful. Free for Singaporeans.
Even if you are not keen on history, the grounds are beautiful. Free for Singaporeans.
Written 16 May 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NerinaMk
Singapore, Singapore11 contributions
Jun 2015 • Solo
I have always admired Dr Sun Yat Sen, the person who dared to initialise and carry out a revolution to overthrow the Qing Dynasty ruling China for more than 100 years. Not a small feat. For SG 50, a friend informed there was a launch bringing in more personal items belonging to Dr Sun's family members and entry was free, so I made it there.
I didn't expect anything. The bus overshot and I ended up at Balestier Food Market, had lunch before I walked over. The herbal chicken soup I ordered was good, so was the fried chempedak (a bit pricey though).
Crossing over I had to pass Zhongshan Park.The launch was going on there, also to commemorate the dumpling festival. The building was a heritage itself. As with most historical place, I walked through the hall taking in all the historical facts and made a mental note what happened then. After about an hour or so I came out, and walked over to the Myanmese Temple.
A moderate small temple. Quite impressive front facade. I just walked round it and left. This place is packed during religious activities.
Strolling back towards Balestier Road, I stopped by Zhongshan Mall. A small mall to browse through. There is a NTUC Finest in there.
Overall, quite a fruitful day to enjoy oneself....
I didn't expect anything. The bus overshot and I ended up at Balestier Food Market, had lunch before I walked over. The herbal chicken soup I ordered was good, so was the fried chempedak (a bit pricey though).
Crossing over I had to pass Zhongshan Park.The launch was going on there, also to commemorate the dumpling festival. The building was a heritage itself. As with most historical place, I walked through the hall taking in all the historical facts and made a mental note what happened then. After about an hour or so I came out, and walked over to the Myanmese Temple.
A moderate small temple. Quite impressive front facade. I just walked round it and left. This place is packed during religious activities.
Strolling back towards Balestier Road, I stopped by Zhongshan Mall. A small mall to browse through. There is a NTUC Finest in there.
Overall, quite a fruitful day to enjoy oneself....
Written 30 June 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
karhonleong
Singapore755 contributions
Nov 2013 • Solo
Dr Sun initially thought a reformation to create a constitutional monarchy was right for China, however after witnessing the many humiliating concessions given to foreign powers after each war, he changed to support a revolutionary movement to make China a republic, as he deemed the Qing court too corrupt for any improvements. He traveled overseas and raised funds, and made many friends with overseas Chinese and Japanese. This belief and execution of his revolutionary thoughts brought about mayhem in China and overseas. Empress Dowager Cixi sent assassins against him, when he was in Hong Kong, Singapore or in Japan. All failed, but many of his comrades died. He lead 11 revolutions in China against the Qing government, the last at Wuchang succeeded.
This memorial hall was his house when he was in Singapore. In it housed many pictures and stories about him, and other revolutionary characters, including some Japanese who were willing to die for him. Also included are reformist character Kang You Wei and others showcased. The funds collected for revolutionary movements were also used for anti-Japanese efforts during WW2, which showcased the efforts of Sun's successors in anti-Japanese efforts in Singapore. There are timelines of the history of China, Japan and Singapore, the stories about the cruelty of the Qing court, and how Japan prospered under the Meiji restoration, which inspired Dr Sun.
Opening hours 10.00am to 5pm, Locals can enter free, foreigners pay a small fee. No wheelchair facilities to go to 2nd level, so wheelchair bound visitors please take note.
This memorial hall was his house when he was in Singapore. In it housed many pictures and stories about him, and other revolutionary characters, including some Japanese who were willing to die for him. Also included are reformist character Kang You Wei and others showcased. The funds collected for revolutionary movements were also used for anti-Japanese efforts during WW2, which showcased the efforts of Sun's successors in anti-Japanese efforts in Singapore. There are timelines of the history of China, Japan and Singapore, the stories about the cruelty of the Qing court, and how Japan prospered under the Meiji restoration, which inspired Dr Sun.
Opening hours 10.00am to 5pm, Locals can enter free, foreigners pay a small fee. No wheelchair facilities to go to 2nd level, so wheelchair bound visitors please take note.
Written 14 December 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Xen_Paul
Melbourne, Australia496 contributions
Apr 2012 • Couples
The Sun Yat-San memorial hall is a wonderful look back a a truly people-led time in history when ideals and dreams stood for much. We were fortunate to have an excellent tour guide who was passionate and knowledgable. The tour took about an hour after which we were free to wander the rooms of this magnificent Villa. Take your time here as there is much to look at and ponder over.
Written 4 May 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gapman692002
Singapore, Singapore10 contributions
Nov 2011 • Friends
The Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall should be in the itinerary for both visitor to Singapore and fellow Singaporean looking for a leisure and relaxing place to spend time -- it traces Dr. Sun’s revolutionary activities in the Southeast Asian region and highlights the impact of the 1911 Chinese Revolution on Singapore as well as Singapore’s contributions to the Revolution.
A two-storey colonial-style villa featuring a number of bronze sculptures in the garden. located in the Balestier area. State-of-the-art display and interactive technologies with educational elements integrated into the galleries , the layout of the museum is spacious and the exhibits are excellent.
The museum makes an interesting day out for those interested in history and asian art as well as a great family outing to spend time together .
No restriction to photography however use of flash is not allowed.
Open: 9am - 5pm Tuesdays to Sundays. Saturdays 10am - 10pm. Closed on Mondays.
Location: 12 Tai Gin Road (off Ah Hood Road), Singapore 327874
A two-storey colonial-style villa featuring a number of bronze sculptures in the garden. located in the Balestier area. State-of-the-art display and interactive technologies with educational elements integrated into the galleries , the layout of the museum is spacious and the exhibits are excellent.
The museum makes an interesting day out for those interested in history and asian art as well as a great family outing to spend time together .
No restriction to photography however use of flash is not allowed.
Open: 9am - 5pm Tuesdays to Sundays. Saturdays 10am - 10pm. Closed on Mondays.
Location: 12 Tai Gin Road (off Ah Hood Road), Singapore 327874
Written 21 November 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Devin Lee
Singapore, Singapore528 contributions
Jan 2021 • Solo
Good place for history buffs to visit.
From how the Chinese in Singapore were instrumental in the forming of the modern Chinese republic to how certain Chinese figures contributed to the development of Singapore as well.
From how the Chinese in Singapore were instrumental in the forming of the modern Chinese republic to how certain Chinese figures contributed to the development of Singapore as well.
Written 19 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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