Chiang Kai-shek Memorial
Chiang Kai-shek Memorial in Taipei, Taiwan
Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Slideshow
Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Photo Gallery (Downloadable Pictures)
The National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall is a famous
monument erected in memory of Chiang Kai-shek, former
President of the Republic of China. It is located in Taipei,
Taiwan, China.
The monument, surrounded by a park, stands at the east end
of the Gate of Great Centrality and Perfect Uprightness. The
structure is framed on the north and south by the National
Theater and National Concert Hall. The entire plaza is
located within sight of the Presidential Office Building.
The main building of the memorial hall is white with four
sides. The octagonal roof rises 70 meters above the ground
and is covered with blue glazed 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 Kuomintang (KMT). Representatives of the
armed forces guard the main hall during its open hours. (The
branch of service represented changes periodically according
to a rotating schedule.) The changing of the guards take
place every hour, attracting many 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.
(Cultural China)
