The Xinhai Revolution of 1911 is the single most important event in modern Chinese history, one that ushered in new, modern ideals for the governance of the nation and dispatched the Qing dynasty. The revolution set in motion a chain of events that led to civil war on the mainland, war with Japan and, eventually, the rise of the Communist Party as the architect of New China. The revolution's most important rebellion, the Wuchang Uprising, took place in Wuhan. Last year, the city celebrated the uprising in grand fashion, inaugurating a slew of museums and tourism sites and promoting the ideals of the revolution. The Wuchang Uprising began when Qing authorities tried to nationalise railway projects in Sichuan, Hubei and Guangdong provinces, and use funds gained to pay reparations to foreign powers that were occupying parts of China at the time. Chinese across the country rebelled against perceived weakness by the Qing and the rebellion reached a head in Wuhan. There, revolutionary and general Huang Xing helped stage a coup along with the New Army and locals that wrested control of the city from the Qing government. After several months of negotiations, Emperor Puyi was forced to abdicate, and China belonged to the revolution. Today, the country celebrates the Wuchang Uprising as the first step towards the creation of modern-day China. Sites such as the Memorial Hall of the Xinhai Revolution and Wuchang Uprising, the Uprising Gate and the Chungshan Gunboat Museum provide a glimpse. The city also has bronze statues of Dr Sun Yat-sen, the "Father of the Revolution", and Li Yuanhong, who helped lead the uprising and the local provisional government that followed.