Taoyuan Martyrs' Shrine and Cultural Park Introduction
Located on Huto Mountain in Taoyuan City, the Taoyuan City Martyrs' Shrine was completed in 1938, originally built as the "Taoyuan Shrine" by the Japanese. It is the best-preserved Shinto shrine from the Japanese colonial period in Taiwan. The architectural style incorporates elements of ancient Chinese Tang-style, Japanese style, and modern Taiwanese architecture, constructed using high-quality Taiwanese cypress wood. In 1994, it was officially designated as a municipal historic site. Due to its unique historical and cultural value, the location was chosen as a filming site for the movie "KANO," allowing audiences to deeply experience the memories of the 1930s. During the Japanese colonial period, Japan implemented the Japanization movement in Taiwan, constructing around 200 shrines across the island, including the Taoyuan Shrine. It was strategically built on the mountainside, providing a distant view of the southwestern Taoyuan urban area, reaching the hospital of Kaichang Shengwang Temple in the city center, symbolizing the protection of the people. Following Japan's defeat in World War II and the severance of diplomatic relations with Japan, many shrines faced demolition or renovation due to a lack of worshippers. The Taoyuan Shrine was renamed Taoyuan County Martyrs' Shrine in 1950. Its Tang-style architectural features, combined with the use of high-quality Taiwanese cypress wood, have been meticulously maintained under the principles of cultural and artistic preservation, making it the only entirely preserved Shinto shrine in Taiwan and outside Japan today. The current Taoyuan Martyrs' Shrine and Shrine Cultural Park includes a well-preserved complex with the "Main Hall" for placing personal spirit tablets, the "Worship Hall" for public worship, the "Shrine Office" for priests or administrators' offices, and the "Chōzuya" for visitors to wash their hands and rinse their mouths before entering the shrine. Additionally, there are facilities such as a torii gate, stone lanterns, Korean dogs, bronze horse sculptures, and the approach to the shrine. The construction materials include cypress and cedar wood with fine textures, complemented by a well-preserved large wooden structural system. The beams and pillars are fixed using interlocking methods, showcasing the craftsman's ingenuity, emphasizing the solemn and simple beauty of the shrine cultural park. If you follow the terrain and climb the steps beside Chenggong Road, you will see the straight approach leading to the shrine cultural park, connecting the main gate and worship hall, which can extend all the way to Taoyuan Station. The surroundings of the cultural park are filled with ancient cypress and pine trees, creating a peaceful environment, with lush greenery in front of the shrine, exuding an antique charm. In early spring, when cherry blossoms bloom, the romantic pink petals add a delicate atmosphere to the shrine park. In autumn, the garden and parking lot around the shrine park display beautiful maple foliage, showcasing a different charm in each season. If you pause on the steps in front of the worship hall, you can overlook the entire shrine and experience the tranquility surrounded by greenery, making it the perfect spot for tourists to take photos and enjoy the scenery. (Part of the images are sourced from the Taoyuan City Government Confucius Temple and Martyrs' Shrine Joint Administration Office.)
