New Taipei City Military Hero Memorial Hall (Weapon Park) Introduction
The New Taipei City Martyrs' Shrine, originally named the New Taipei City Military Cemetery, is located at the foot of Datong Mountain in the Shulin District of New Taipei City, covering an area of 5.6 hectares. The shrine was completed in July 1959 and serves as a memorial site for deceased servicemen and veterans. The original military cemetery, in use for over twenty years, had become dilapidated, with its early structures falling apart and the columbarium no longer sufficient. In 1982, it was rebuilt on the same site and officially opened in March 1984. In June 1996, it was renamed the "New Taipei City Martyrs' Shrine," and after the county and city restructuring, it retained this name. During the spring and autumn ceremonies, any current servicemen who died in combat, due to illness, accidents, or veterans who retired under the law may have their remains interred at the Martyrs' Shrine upon the wishes of their families, who can apply to the Civil Affairs Bureau of New Taipei City Government. The spring and autumn memorial ceremonies for national martyrs are held at the shrine on March 29 and September 3 each year, where family members, military representatives, and organizational representatives are invited to participate in the offerings. The ceremony is presided over by the mayor, accompanied by various local leaders and elected representatives, with a solemn atmosphere. Built against the mountainside, the shrine has recently seen the Ministry of National Defense relocate many decommissioned land and air equipment, such as tanks, aircraft, and missiles, to the adjacent plaza for public viewing, thus it is also known as "Weapon Park." "Weapon Park" is currently the largest park in Taiwan displaying military equipment from the Ministry of National Defense, featuring impressive displays of various army, navy, and air force equipment. This includes the world's first fighter jet capable of twice the speed of sound (the TF-104G Starfighter), the anchors of the naval vessels Chin-Chao and Lu-Shan, the K30 single-barrel 5-inch gun, M166 mountain artillery, anti-aircraft guns, and missiles. These pieces of equipment have contributed to the nation's defense for decades and are mostly well-preserved, allowing even those who are not military enthusiasts to quickly understand the functions and historical significance of each weapon through physical displays and informational panels. The TF-104G Starfighter exhibited is a twin-seat trainer variant, used solely for training purposes. The Martyrs' Shrine is located at the foot of Datong Mountain, and its surrounding outer trails connect with nearby hiking paths. From the Dofu Trail, one can access the peaks of Sanjiao Pu Ding Mountain, Qinglong Ridge, Datong Mountain, and Nanliao Fude Temple, making it a popular hiking destination for day trips from the city suburbs. It attracts many visitors from September to December during the miscanthus season, offering scenic views for hikers!
