Approaching the Father of the Nation: A Visit to Wan Qing Yuan – Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall

As the Nanyang headquarters of the Chinese Tongmenghui, Singapore played a significant role in the Xinhai Revolution led by Sun Yat-sen. He successively planned three uprisings at Wan Qing Yuan, ultimately overthrowing China's feudal system and moving towards a republican society. Now, with the Go Singapore Pass, you can enter Wan Qing Yuan – Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall, enjoy the exhibitions with guided commentary, and gain a better understanding of the life of the Father of the Nation, Sun Yat-sen, and the stories behind the revolution.

This villa was purchased in 1905 by Zhang Yongfu as a residence for his mother to enjoy her later years, hence the name "Wan Qing Yuan" (meaning "Evening Glow Garden"). In the same year, Zhang Yongfu ceded Wan Qing Yuan to Sun Yat-sen for his revolutionary endeavors, and the three uprisings were successively planned there. After Zhang Yongfu sold Wan Qing Yuan in 1910, the villa changed hands several times. In 1937, six Chinese business leaders jointly bought back the villa and donated it to the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce, now known as the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Wan Qing Yuan first opened to the public as a memorial hall on New Year's Day in 1940.

Wan Qing Yuan was gazetted as a national monument in 1994. In 1996, the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry renamed it "Wan Qing Yuan – Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall" and announced its reconstruction and expansion plan. The memorial hall reopened to the public in 2001. In 2009, the chamber handed over management of Wan Qing Yuan to the National Heritage Board of Singapore. The board of directors of Wan Qing Yuan comprises the vice-chairmen and executive directors of the chamber, overseeing the operations of the memorial hall and formulating strategic directions.

In September 2011, Wan Qing Yuan underwent renovation. The new exhibition halls present Sun Yat-sen's and local supporters' contributions to the revolution from a more comprehensive perspective, highlighting the contributions of Singapore Chinese to the Xinhai Revolution. The exhibitions also detail the impact of the Xinhai Revolution on Singaporean society, including reforms in culture, education, and economic development. This distinguishes Wan Qing Yuan from Sun Yat-sen memorial halls in other countries. In 2014, Wan Qing Yuan enhanced the content of its permanent exhibition halls. The updated halls mainly display a series of artifacts provided by private individuals and community organizations, presented through multimedia formats such as holographic projections and 3D projections.

Regular ticket price: SGD 8 (approximately RMB 39, free with the Go Singapore Pass)

Address: 12 Tai Gin Road, 327874, Singapore

Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

How to get tickets: Present your pass at the Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall visitor center to redeem your ticket.

Apart from Wan Qing Yuan – Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall, the Go Singapore Pass allows you to visit many popular attractions in Singapore at a package rate, significantly reducing ticket expenses. The Go Singapore Pass has launched a Chinese website (gocitypass.cn/singapore/) and a WeChat mini-program, allowing you to view attractions, plan itineraries, and purchase passes all on your phone. After purchase, save the pass on your phone. When you arrive at each attraction's entrance, simply show and scan it, and you can enter without queuing for tickets. The pass is refundable within 14 days of purchase and valid for 2 years, so you need not worry about last-minute changes to your itinerary—it is the ideal choice for traveling to Singapore.