New Taipei City Martyrs' Shrine Introduction
The Martyrs' Shrine is a temple dedicated to the spirits of military personnel, police, and civilians who sacrificed their lives for the Republic of China and have significant acts of loyalty worthy of reverence. Located beside the Huwei Fort in the Tamsui District, the Martyrs' Shrine features ancient trees and lush greenery. It is situated on the historic battlefield of the Battle of Huwei during the Sino-French War. After Japan occupied Taiwan, a shrine was built in Shōwa 14 (1939) to honor Emperor Meiji. Following the restoration of Taiwan, this shrine fell into disrepair and became a ruin. In the 63rd year of the Republic (1974), the New Taipei City Government demolished it and rebuilt it on the original foundation, preserving the original scale of the shrine but adopting a Chinese palace-style architecture, becoming the "New Taipei City Martyrs' Shrine." It enshrines the spirits of many anti-Japanese martyrs. Surrounded by lush ancient pines, the shrine hall embodies simplicity and elegance. Entering it evokes a sense of tranquility, while standing beneath the archway, one can hear the whispers of the pines and gaze at Guanyin Mountain, which is one of Tamsui's Eight Scenic Views, known as "The Pine Waves of the Martyrs' Shrine." Today, the pine forest has been lost due to pest damage.
