On our way to Japan, we stopped over for a few days in TAIPEI, the capital of the Republic of China (ROC).
It was just after the Chinese New Year. Many shops were still closed and the whole city was rather empty, not the expected large crowds of people everywhere. This of course made sightseeing a bit of a more comfortable experience.
Our hotel was next to the 228 Peace Park (or 2/28 Peace Memorial Park). It is a nice, relaxing park with a lot of areas with different artwork. Although established in 1900, today’s name remembers the events unfolding on the 28 February 1947. A group of protesters, angry over a brutal police action against Taiwanese civilians, took over the radio station and used it to broadcast accusations against the Kuomintang government. The action formed part of a chain of events now referred to as the February 28 Incident.
Located at the confluence of the Tamsui and Keelung rivers, the center of worship here is Bao-an Temple, built in 1825. This is a large temple, and its construction was different; in addition, all of the wood and stone materials—and even the artisans—had to be brought over from mainland China. For these reasons, the temple required a full quarter-century to complete. In 2003, the temple was inducted into the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards for Culture Heritage Conservation.
This temple features the usual dragon pillars, and also a pair of stone lion that are not so usual. Normally, of the two lions (one male, one female) that guard a temple, the male has an open mouth and the female a closed mouth; here, however, both have open mouths. It is said that they are not lions at all but a “humane beast” and a “law beast,” stationed there as an appeal to respect the law and carry out good government.
The Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Park is a Chinese-style garden that occupies 25 hectares of space. The National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall is a national monument, landmark and tourist attraction erected in memory of Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, former President of the Republic of China. There are interesting exhibitions to visit. Free entry and also audio guides for the main exhibition are available free. The monument, surrounded by a park, stands at the east end of Memorial Hall Square.
Sun Yat-sen was a Chinese statesman, physician, and political philosopher who served as the first provisional president of the Republic of China and the first leader of the Kuomintang. The Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall is a memorial to the Republic of China’s National Father
Xingtian Temple (Hsingtien Temple). This temple is situated on a street corner near the center of the city. Sculptures of dragons feature prominently in this temple’s design. It covers over 7,000 square meters. This temple is devoted to Lord Guan, the Patron Deity of businessmen, military personnel and policeman.
The National Revolutionary Martyrs’ Shrine is a shrine in Zhongshan District, dedicated to the war dead of the Republic of China.
Built on a green hillside in 1969, the impressive National Martyrs’ Shrine is dedicated to the 390,000 soldiers killed in the service of their country during the War of Resistance against Japan and the civil war between the Chinese Republican and communist forces. A major attraction at the shrine is the hourly ceremony for the changing of the honor guard in front of the main gate.
The National Palace Museum has a permanent collection of nearly 700,000 pieces of Chinese exhibits and artworks, many of which were moved from the Forbidden City in Beijing, as well as other institutions throughout mainland China during the ROC retreat. These collections had been transferred to several locations before finally being established in 1965 at its present location here in Shilin, Taipei. The museum building itself was built between March 1964 and August 1965, with many subsequent expansions making it one of the largest of its type in the world.
We did not have time to visit the museum, where you could spend days marveling at the exhibits. We however had a stroll through the Zhishan Garden next to the museum.
Taipei is of course also famous for its many Night Markets. Food is everywhere…
The Presidential Hall Palace is the work place of the president of the Republic of China on Taiwan. The building, located in the Zhongzheng District in the national capital — Taipei, was designed by architect Uheiji Nagano during the period of Japanese rule of Taiwan.
TAMSUI is a district of New Taipei City, in north Taiwan. It sits at the confluence of the Taiwan Strait and the Tamsui River. Near the river, busy Tamsui Old Street is lined with shops, restaurants and vendors selling local specialties.
Founded by the Spanish, the hilltop Fort San Domingo (Hongmao Castle) was revamped by the Dutch and British.
Nearby in Tamsui is also the historic Hobe Ford with its military defense structures.
Next to the Hobe Fort is the Tamsui Peace Park. There was the Spanish, Dutch, Sino-French, First Sino-Japanese and the Pacific war. In every invasion, locals die defending their land. Tamsui Peace Park was erected for the sole purpose of commemorating those who bravely fought during the wars and died in Tamsui.
Here are a few final pictures from Taipei.