New Taipei City Martyrs' Shrine Introduction
The Martyrs' Shrine is a temple dedicated to the military personnel, police officers, and citizens of the Republic of China who sacrificed their lives and demonstrated significant loyalty and righteousness. Located next to the Huwei Fort in the Tamsui District, the shrine is surrounded by ancient trees and lush greenery. It was once the site of the Huwei Battle during the Sino-French War. After Japan occupied Taiwan, a shrine was built in Shōwa 14 (1939) to honor Emperor Meiji. Following Taiwan's restoration, the original structure fell into disrepair and became a ruin. In 1974, the New Taipei City Government demolished it and rebuilt it on the original foundation, retaining the scale of the previous shrine but adopting a traditional Chinese palace architectural style, resulting in the "New Taipei City Martyrs' Shrine." It pays tribute to many anti-Japanese martyrs. The shrine is surrounded by lush ancient pines, exuding a simple yet elegant ambiance, and stepping inside provides a sense of tranquility akin to that of idle clouds and wild cranes. Standing under the archway, one can listen to the sound of the wind through the pines and gaze at Guanyin Mountain, which is one of the eight scenic spots of Tamsui, known as "Pine Waves at the Martyrs' Shrine." However, the pine forest has long been lost due to pest damage.
