A Date with Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall

In April, 1975, the President Chiang Kai-shek passed away. In response to suggestions from all sectors, the funeral committee members decided to build the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, which I would like to introduce now, in order to commemorate the late president.

If this is your first time to visit to Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, you may be surprised at the spectacular buildings and the design of Chinese style. Actually we can focus on three points about the designing ideas of the memorial hall. The first one expresses the spirit of Chinese traditional culture. The second one is the emphasis on creative, sublime and unique style. And the last is the usage of the modern technology and the focus on economical and useful way. It is a really amazing spot that you can go to appreciate of Chinese culture and the atmosphere of the age.

Dividing the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall into many parts, we can see the main building, which has the impressive roof and many display rooms; the beautiful garden, where you can enjoy the peaceful landscape and take a walk on the little bridge. We can also see the square, the National Opera House, and the National Concert Hall inside.

Needless to say, the appearance is magnificent. The archway entrance is 30 meters high and 80 meters wide. Viewing the Hall from the Central Arch, visitors cannot help being awed by its grandeur. And there are two side entrances, which also has the special design, located at the road close to the archway entrance.

Maybe you would wonder, why did the architects build the memorial in this shape? What was the designing idea? What has been the meaning of this design? The answers are as below.

First, the Memorial Hall was established on three foundations with square platform. It is a symbol of “upright and honest”, which is the literal meaning of Chung-Jen, Chiang Kai-shek’s another name. You can see the eight-square and the “human” shape of colored glazes, numerous piles to the top of the roof. And the roof was made of sapphire glass. The wall of white marbles and the red “ru yi” pattern of Chinese blanket represent the spirit of Blue Sky, White Sun and Red Ground (freedom, equality and universal fraternity).

After knowing the brief history, the structure and the meaning of memorial hall, you may want to know what you can do in it. If you want to have an intellectual trip, you can visit the display rooms and have a guide to introduce the historic stuff in detailed. If you want to have some leisure time in it, you can just take a walk around it, or walk through the park, greeting the flowers and birds in the garden if you are fortunate enough. And you can also fly a kite in the square! This is the most wonderful place to fly a kite, because it’s really windy there. When you see your kite flying in the sky, you may feel so open-minded and relaxed. Believe it or not!

Hope you will have a wonderful time dating with Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall.