Taipei CKS memorial Taiwan Postcard

The Chiang Kai‑shek Memorial Hall (中正紀念堂) in Taipei is a monumental tribute to Chiang Kai‑shek, the former President of the Republic of China. Designed by architect Yang Cho‑cheng, the hall's grand white façade and iconic blue octagonal roof symbolise the colours of the ROC flag. The main structure stands 70 metres tall and is accessed via two staircases of 89 steps—each representing Chiang’s age at his death in 1975. Inside, the lower level houses a museum chronicling his life and Taiwan’s history, while the upper level features an imposing bronze statue of Chiang, guarded by military honour guards with ceremonious changing rituals Nestled within Liberty Square, a sprawling 25‑hectare public plaza, the Memorial Hall is flanked by the National Theatre and National Concert Hall. Originally called “Chiang Kai‑shek Memorial Square,” it was renamed Liberty Square in 2007 to reflect Taiwan’s democratic evolution, though the hall retained its original name . The square has served as a focal point for democratic movements—from the Wild Lily student protests to more recent advocacy—symbolising Taiwan’s transition from authoritarian rule to vibrant democracy . In 2024, the government shifted honour guard ceremonies from inside the hall to the plaza, part of an ongoing effort to end the "veneration of authoritarianism" at the site Together, the hall and square embody Taiwan’s complex postwar history—reflecting both Chiang’s authoritarian legacy and the island’s ongoing pursuit of democratic ideals. Whether admired as architectural grandeur, contested as a symbol of past political control, or embraced as a public gathering space, the Chiang Kai‑shek Memorial remains a powerful site of cultural memory and civic identity.