【中正紀念堂】Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in Taipei
Located in the busy city of Taipei, the past and the present blend together at the famous Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall. This well-known memorial of Taiwan is not just a place to visit — but also has a rich history and importance to how Taiwan became Taiwan now.
The Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall was built to honor the former president of Taiwan, Chiang Kai-Shek. Chiang Kai-Shek (蔣介石) is also known as Jīang Jìeshǐ in Mandarin.
The memorial’s stunning Chinese architecture impresses visitors from all over the world, and its history adds depth to the experience. Like many old buildings, its journey to greatness is marked by stories of struggles and successes, creating a memorable tale. 🏛️
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getting there
It’s super convenient to get to Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall.
Here are a couple of options:
BUS
Get off at the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall stop and you can walk on over
Take the fast MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) to Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall.
After a quick walk from the station, you'll arrive at the majestic memorial.
If you feel like biking when the weather is nice, there’s a bike station located just right outside the memorial so you can park your bike conveniently and walk right in
🧮 TIP
Purchase a Easy Card for a seamless access to Taiwan’s public transportation 🚲🚇🚌
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brief history
The Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall was built to honor President Chiang Kai-Shek after he died on April 5, 1975.
The Executive Yuan decided to construct the memorial with the assistance of architect Yang Cho-cheng. He incorporated many elements of traditional Chinese architecture to mimic the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum in Nanjing, China.
The Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall was opened to the public five years later on the day he passed as a tribute to his lasting impact.
In 1949, after Japan left Taiwan and the KMT (Kuomintang) government moved to Taiwan, Chiang Kai-Shek became the leader. His mission was to take back China from the CCP (Chinese Communist Party).
Initially, Taiwanese people were happy about being a part of China but soon became dissatisfied with the way the Kuomintang (KMT) was ruling them.
While Chiang Kai-Shek's leadership boosted Taiwan's economy in the 1970s and 1980s, it was also marked by the tragic 228 White Terror incident and the following period of severe oppression. During this time, more than 10,000 Taiwanese people died, showing the difficulties of a government that had a lasting impact on the island's history.
In the 1990s, Taiwan shifted from an authoritarian government to a more liberal democracy. They closely examined Chiang Kai-Shek's rule and noticed he had violated human rights during the martial law era.
Now, Taiwan is currently still deciding whether this historical memorial hall should still be put up in Taiwan with Chiang Kai-Shek in the hall. A lot of Chiang Kai-Shek’s statues were slowly removed all across Taiwan and placed in the mausoleum of Chiang Kai-shek.
💡 PRO TIP
The soldiers change positions every hour. Many people will wait inside to watch, so be sure to arrive early to find a good spot!
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“Liberty Square” archway
The entrance archway with Chinese traditional characters saying 'Liberty Square' allows you to enter the plaza.
The arch is tall and stands like a protector, welcoming people to the impressive memorial ahead.
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climb up the stairs
At the memorial, there are two sets of stairs with a total of 89 steps leading into the hall.
Inside, you'll find the magnificent bronze statue of Chiang Kai-Shek in the main hall. The 89 steps symbolize Chiang Kai-Shek's longevity and his influence on Taiwan.
The view from the top is stunning, especially on a clear day.
TIP 👟
Wear your comfy shoes because you’ll be walking around a lot!
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memorable moments
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VISIT
HOURS
Monday - Sunday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall is free to visit
LOCATION
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Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall: From Authoritarianism to De-authoritarianism
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check out my Taichung travel vlog
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