Taoyuan Martyrs' Shrine and Cultural Park Introduction
The Taoyuan City Martyrs' Shrine, located on Hudi Mountain in Taoyuan City, was completed in 1938. Its predecessor was the "Taoyuan Shrine," built by the Japanese, and it is the most well-preserved shrine from the Japanese colonial period in Taiwan. The architectural style blends ancient Chinese Tang dynasty elements, Japanese influences, and modern Taiwanese styles, constructed with high-quality Taiwanese cypress wood. It was officially designated as a city historic site in 1994. Due to its unique historical and cultural significance, the shrine was selected 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, building about 200 shrines statewide, including the Taoyuan Shrine which was constructed during this time. It was strategically built on a mountain to overlook the southwestern Taoyuan urban area, with a view extending to the Chaozhong Shengwang Temple in the city center, symbolizing the protection of the people. Following Japan's defeat and the severing of Taiwan-Japan relations, many shrines faced demolition or renovation due to the lack of worshippers. In 1950, the Taoyuan Shrine was renamed Taoyuan County Martyrs' Shrine. Its Tang-style architecture and the use of quality Taiwanese cypress wood have been meticulously preserved under the premise of cultural and artistic protection, making it the only well-preserved shrine structure outside of Japan. The current Taoyuan Martyrs' Shrine and Cultural Park features a well-composed building scale, with structures including the "Main Hall" for personal spirit tablets, the "Worship Hall" for general public worship, the "Administrative Office" for priests or management staff, and the "Temizuya," where visitors can wash their hands and mouth before entering the shrine for worship. There are also torii gates, stone lanterns, Korean dogs, bronze horse sculptures, and a shrine approach among other facilities. The materials used include cypress and cedar, known for their fine textures, complementing the well-preserved large wooden structural system, with beams and columns fixed together through an embedded method, showcasing the craftsmanship and conveying the solemn beauty of the shrine cultural park. By following the terrain and climbing the stairs beside Chenggong Road, visitors can see the straight pathway leading to the shrine cultural park, which connects the main gate and the worship hall, extending all the way to Taoyuan Station. The surroundings of the shrine cultural park are filled with ancient cypress and pine trees, creating a tranquil environment, with lush greenery in front of the shrine that exudes an antique charm. During the early spring when cherry blossoms bloom, the romantic pink petals add a soft ambiance to the simple atmosphere of the shrine park. In autumn, visitors can enjoy the vibrant red maples around the garden and parking area, allowing for different seasonal landscapes throughout the year. If one pauses on the platform of the stairs in front of the worship hall, they can overlook the entire shrine, experiencing the serene atmosphere surrounded by greenery, making it an ideal spot for tourists to take photos and enjoy nature. (Some images provided by the Taoyuan City Government Confucius Temple and Martyrs' Shrine Management Office)
