National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall Introduction
Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall was built to commemorate the first President of the Republic of China, Chiang Kai-shek, who passed away in 1975. The construction began the following year under the Executive Yuan, with the design by Yang Cho-cheng, who also designed the Grand Hotel Taipei. The memorial is located on the former site of the Army Headquarters, which was the largest military district in Taipei at that time. It is said that gold transported from the mainland was stored here. The memorial hall features blue and white colors, which are the main colors of the national flag. The top dome of the hall is adorned with twelve rays of light representing the Blue Sky with a White Sun, and the statue faces west towards the Presidential Office and mainland China, each carrying special significance. As democratic progress and open thought have evolved, the square in front of the hall has become a gathering place for democratic movements. On both sides of the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall are the National Concert Hall and the National Theater. The theater serves as a venue for drama, dance, and various performances, frequently hosting major events such as Peking opera, dramas, and children's shows. The concert hall is one of the premier music performance spaces in Taiwan, regularly featuring chamber music and large orchestral events. The plaza in front of the two halls also hosts sporadic theatrical and musical activities, attracting numerous visitors. With its white walls and blue tiles, the structure stands 70 meters tall in the center of the memorial park, appearing grand from any angle. Foreign tourists visiting Taiwan, regardless of their itinerary, always make it a point to stop by for a visit. Beneath the memorial hall, there are exhibitions and displays, as well as a gift shop.
