Have You Ever Heard of Taiwan Before?: National Chiang Kai-Sek Memorial Hall: History, Architecture, Art, Leisure

Chiang Kai-Sek (1887-1975) was a Chinese political and military leader who served as the leader of the Republic of China (

Taiwan

) between 1928 and 1975. National Chiang Kai-Sek Memorial Hall, located in Zhongzheng District, Taipei, is a monument that built in his memory and now become one of the famous landmarks and tourist attractions in

Taiwan

. This tourist attraction can be directly reached by MRT to Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall station. In here you can understand more about one piece of

Taiwan

history through various museums inside the memorial hall and feel the serious and respectful atmosphere during the guard changing ceremony that take place every hour.

Bronze Statue of Chiang Kai-Shek

Guard Changing Ceremony

The inspiration source of Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall design comes from four famous architectural building in the world, Lincoln Memorial Hall in United States, Taj Mahal in India, Temple of Heaven in China, and Pyramid in Egypt. The number of stairs in front of the monument is 89, the same number as Chiang Kai-Shek’s age when he passed away. The main hall in 4^th floor, where the bronze statue of Chiang Kai-Shek located, has a special design of ceiling with a national flag symbol of white sun with twelve rays depicted on it. The top of monument’s hexagonal roof creates a shape of Chinese character 人 which means human and the whole picture of rooftop in a high sky symbolizes the unity of human and God.

Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall

National Flag Symbol in the Ceiling

Visit this monument will not only let us gain more knowledge about history and architecture, but also feel the beauty of art through various art exhibitions held in the monument gallery or in the National Theater and National Concert Hall. Step outside from the memorial hall, we will find a Freedom Square with various group of people each busy doing their activities there, such as students practicing street dance, charity foundation’s members promoting their charity activities, and a group of parents with their kids or couples busy feeding a flock of pigeon. In both side of the memorial hall, we can also find a beautiful park where we can just sit down or walk along to enjoy the view of a little fish pond with a white classic bridge, play with some cute cats, take pictures of sparrows flying around above the green grass, or feel happy by witnessing a little kid’s cutest smile while chasing and playing around with pigeons. It’s a place that will offer us knowledge of history, architecture, and art at the same time in one single leisure journey.