Memorial Hall
The main building is white with four sides. The octagonal roof rises 70 meters above the ground and is covered with blue glazed glass tiles. The blue and white colors of the building and the red colour of the flowerbeds echo the colours in the flag of the Republic of China. The octagonal shape picks up the symbolism of the number 8, a number traditionally associated in Asia with abundance and good fortune.
Two sets of white stairs, each with 89 steps to represent Chiang's age at the time of his death, lead to the main entrance. The main entrance features a pair of double doors, each standing 16 meters high and weighing 75 tons, that open into the main hall. A large bronze statue of Chiang Kai-shek dominates the main hall. The figure is shown smiling, seated and wearing traditional Chinese dress. Inscribed on the wall above and behind the seated figure are the Chinese characters for Ethics, Democracy, and Science. Inscriptions on the side walls read The purpose of life is to improve the general life of humanity and The meaning of life is to create and sustain subsequent lives in the universe. An elaborate caisson is set into the ceiling, decorated with the emblem of the Republic of China. Representatives of Taiwan's armed forces guarded the main hall during its open hours. Guards were changed in an elaborate ritual that attracts visitors.
The ground level of the memorial houses a library and museum documenting Chiang Kai-shek's life and career and exhibits related to Taiwan's history and development.
Official site:
Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall
The Gate of Great Centrality and Perfect Uprightness
This is the main entrance to the National Chiang Kai shek Memorial Hall for the late President Chiang Kai the greatest man to ever to Pesident of Taiwan in my opinion. It shares the grounds of the Chiang Kai shek Memorial Park with the National Concert Hall and National Theater and is one of the city's defining landmarks. A main gate, the Gate of Great Centrality and Perfect Uprightness (大中至正) was placed at the west end on Chung Shan South Road, with a Gate of Great Loyalty. The inscription on the main gate has been changed to Liberty Square (自由廣場) thanks to the worst president in Taiwan history Chen Shui-bian.
For details of the renaming and surrounding controversy:
Taiwanese government removes Chiang Kai-shek name from landmark memorial
Taiwan's National Theater (國家戲劇院) and National Concert Hall (國家音樂廳) are twin performing arts venues in downtown Taipei, Taiwan, operated by Taiwan's national government. The landmarks stand, respectively, on the south and north sides of the Liberty Square in front of the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, near Taiwan's Presidential Office Building. Together they are referred to by the acronym NTCH and represent facilities of the National Chiang Kai-shek Cultural Center. In 1975, the NTCH was designed by Ho-Mou Architect Firm with a total cost of NT$7 billion; a “German and Dutch Team” composed of Germany-based GNH and Holland-based Philips was in charge of hardware facilities such as stereos, stages and lighting. The entire project was completed in 1987, and the managing organization was named the National Chang Kai Shek Cultural Center (or generally known as the National Theater and Concert Hall). The NTCH features the traditional Chinese palace structure with gold glazed roof tiles and Chinese red colonnades. These cultural centers provide a backdrop to events on the square even as they host over 800 events annually.
The basement of one of the theater has a restaurant and gift shop. We went to have lunch at “Chun Shui Tang” Tea House.
Memorial Park
Yang's design placed the main building at the east end of the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Park (中正公園), covering over 240,000 square metres in Zhongzheng District. The monument, surrounded by a park, stands at the east end of Liberty Square. The structure is framed on the north and south by Taiwan's National Theater and National Concert Hall. The entire plaza is located within sight of Taiwan's Presidential Office Building in the Zhongzhen District of Taipei.
The ponds and parks surrounding the memorial and cultural centers feature well-maintained lawns, trees, and pathways. The ponds are filled with the colourful koi traditionally found in gardens in East Asia. On the right and left sides of the park are the Yunhan and Guanghua Ponds. The Yunhan Pond derives its name from the 4 Chinese characters: 「hanying yungen」 written by Chu Yi-hai, the Jianguo Luwang of the Ming Dynasty. The words 「Guanghua」,signify the Restoration of China. Each pond is 3000 square meters in size. Both ponds are man-made in irregular shape. The combination with artificial mountains, man-made waterfalls, and arch bridges, creates a beautiful scene.
I thought this was really neat, put in a $10NT coin and feed the koi! And yes those are mittens I am wearing, it was a very cold day.
Official sites:
National Theater and Concert Hall
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