Taoyuan Martyrs' Shrine and Cultural Park Introduction
The Taoyuan City Martyrs' Shrine, located on Hutoushan in Taoyuan City, was completed in the 27th year of the Republic of China. Its predecessor was the "Taoyuan Shrine" built by the Japanese, making it the most well-preserved shrine from the Japanese colonial period in Taiwan. The architectural style blends ancient Chinese Tang dynasty, Japanese, and modern Taiwanese influences, constructed using high-quality Taiwanese cypress wood. It was officially designated as a city monument in the 83rd year of the Republic of China due to its unique historical and cultural value. The shrine was chosen as a filming location for the movie "KANO," allowing audiences to deeply experience the memories of the 1930s. During the Japanese colonial period, Japan promoted the Japanization Movement in Taiwan, constructing approximately 200 shrines across the island, including the Taoyuan Shrine, which was built at that time. The location was chosen for its mountainous setting, allowing for a distant view of the southwestern Taoyuan urban area, symbolizing the protection of the people as seen through the Kaizhang Shengwang Temple at the city center. Following Japan's defeat and the severance of diplomatic ties between Taiwan and Japan, most shrines faced demolition or reconstruction due to the lack of worshippers. In the 39th year of the Republic of China, the Taoyuan Shrine was renamed the Taoyuan County Martyrs' Shrine. Its Tang-style architecture, coupled with the use of high-grade Taiwanese cypress wood, has been carefully maintained under the premise of protecting its cultural and artistic value, making it the only fully preserved shrine building outside Japan. Today, the Taoyuan Martyrs' Shrine and Cultural Park features a complete building scale. The complex primarily consists of the "Main Hall," which houses individual spirit tablets, the "Worship Hall" for public ceremonies, the "Office," where priests or administrators work, and the "Chōzuya" for handwashing and rinsing before worship. Additionally, there are facilities such as torii gates, stone lanterns, Korean dogs, bronze horse sculptures, and the shrine approach. The building materials include cypress and cedar, with a refined texture, complemented by a fully preserved wooden structural system. The beams and columns are securely fixed, showcasing the craftsmanship and reflecting the solemn beauty of the shrine culture park. If you ascend the stairs beside Chenggong Road, you will see the straight approach to the shrine, connecting the main gate and the worship hall, which leads all the way to the Taoyuan Station. The areas around the cultural park are filled with ancient cypress trees, providing a serene environment, lush greenery in front of the shrine, and an antique atmosphere. During early spring, when the cherry blossoms bloom, the romantic pink petals add a delicate charm to the simple aura of the shrine park. In autumn, visitors can enjoy the beautiful red maple scenery in the garden and parking area in front of the shrine, showcasing different seasonal landscapes. If you pause on the stairs of the worship hall, you can overlook the entire shrine, feeling the tranquil atmosphere surrounded by greenery, making it an ideal spot for tourists to take photos and enjoy the outdoors. (Some images are courtesy of the Taoyuan City Government Confucius Temple and Martyrs' Shrine Management Office.)
