Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall

When it comes to Taipei, Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall (中正紀念堂) is definitely one of the landmarks you may associate with. Located right beside the MRT C.K.S. Station, now it has become a popular urban park for local people, which serves as an art-and-culture exhibition, ecological and life-long learning classroom, and a place to memorize our former president of Republic of China (ROC), Chiang Kai-Shek.

Chiang Kai-Shek (C.K.S.) succeeded the unfulfilled wishes of Dr. Sun Yat-Sen and strived for the modernization of the Republic of China. As a leader of Nationalist Party in the middle of 20th century, he led the wars in the east and north of China and fought against the Japanese and the Chinese Communist Party. After his death on 5th of April 1975, citizens and overseas Chinese proposed to establish a memorial hall to commemorate this leader. Later on, the government decided to take the idea from the architect Mr. Yang Zhao-Cheng and started the construction in 1976. Finally, the construction of Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall was completed and officially open to public in 1980.

Take a close look at this solemn Chinese-style architecture. Its exquisite design conveys the spirit of Chinese culture. The exhibition hall on the ground floor tells you about Chiang Kai-Shek’s life stories. As we get higher, galleries and exhibition rooms can be found on 2nd and 3rd floors. One thing that is especially worth mentioning is that you definitely cannot miss the must-see spectacle on 4th floor, the honor guard shift-changing performance. The show starts on the hour everyday from nine o’clock in the morning to five o’clock in the afternoon.

Beside the memorial hall itself, there are two giant and traditional Chinese palace-like buildings. They are the National Theater and National Concert Hall. These are the places for local people to enjoy the most brilliant performing arts shows. Moreover, the memorial park with its area of 250000 square meters is also a paradise for animals and plants in Taipei city. For a traveller, Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall will be an idea spot to discover the story of C.K.S. and explore the Taipei people’s strong vitality.

Notice:

The honor guard shift-changing performance starts on the hour everyday from 09:00am ~ 05:00pm.