The National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall (中正紀念堂) is a prominent landmark and is also one of the popular destinations in Taiwan, which attract thousands of visitors every year.
The spectacular memorial hall was built in 1976 and opened in 1980 to commemorate the former Taiwan President Chiang Kai-shek after he passed away.
It’s an impressive monument and well worth a visit, there are 5 things you should know about Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall before you go there.
- Why Should You Go?
- When Should You Go?
- How to Get There?
- Where to Eat near Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall?
- What About Tonight?
Why Should You Go
The Chiang Kai-shek Memorial park covers an area of 250,000 square meters; besides CKS memorial hall, there are the National Theater, the National Concert Hall, Liberty Square Arch, Liberty square, gardens, pavilions, and verandah.
The 249 feet tall Chiang Kai-shek memorial hall is designed to the white square body and the blue octagonal roof, which represent blue sky and white sun, both symbolize freedom and equality respectively.
Two sets of 89 marble steps represent Chiang’s death aged 89 and lead up to the main hall where contains an imposing bronze statue of Chiang Kai-shek sitting inside the memorial chamber, 20.7 feet tall and weighs 21.25 tons.
Three word inscribed on the wall behind the statue are Ethics, Democracy, and Science, which are the essence of Three Principles of the People.
Look up at the ceiling, you will see a national emblem of Taiwan on the top.
There are hourly military honor guards shift-change ceremony from 9 am to 5 pm and is worth watching.
You can go down to the exhibition halls on the first floor which displays many artifacts, photographs, and important documents about Chiang Kai-shek, you will thoroughly understand his life and story.
Besides CKS memorial hall, you will see two traditional Chinese palace buildings on both sides of the memorial hall, they are the National Concert Hall and the National Theater for public to enjoy the concerts and opera.
When Should You Go
The Chiang Kai-shek memorial hall hours of operation open daily from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, excluding February 28th, Chinese New Year’s Eve and the first day of the Chinese New Year.
Visitors still can visit the memorial park from 5:00 am to 12:00 am daily, including holidays.
Tips:
Come to the Chiang Kai-shek memorial park in the night after the rain, you will definitely see the extraordinary beautiful water reflection of the Liberty Square Arch and memorial hall.
How to Get There
Take Red Line (Tamsui-Xinyi Line) to [ R08 ] / Green Line (Songshan-Xindian Line) to [ G10 ], Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall Station, Exit No.5.
TIPS:
I strongly recommend that you get two useful tools to make your travel go smoothly:EasyCard & 4G SIM Card.
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Where to Eat near Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall
Jin Feng Braised Pork Rice (金鋒滷肉飯)
Braised Pork Rice (Lu Rou Fan) is a local Taiwanese dish you can find at any restaurants and street food stalls around Taiwan, among them, Jin Feng Braised Pork Rice might be the most famous in Taipei.
The signature dish, Braised Pork Rice, which has a generous amount of rice served with a slice of pickled cucumber and the tender braised pork on the top; when the meat melted into the hot rice below make this dish mouth-watering. There are three options: small, medium and large bowl, priced at NT$30($1), NT$40($1.3), and NT$50($1.6).
- Avg. Cost:NT$30~100 ($1~3.2)
- Get Location
- Tel:+886 2 2396-0808
- Hours:Mon – Sun 08:00~01:00
Ebisu Curry&Coffee
Ebisu Curry is a lovely and Japanese atmosphere restaurant specialized selling great and affordable curry dishes, you must try “Dry Curry”, a special curry dish contains less liquid than the widely popular curry but delectable.
- Avg. Cost:NT$115~160 ($3.7~5.1)
- Get Location
- Tel:+886 9 37-638-027
- Hours:Mon – Sun 11:00~14:30 \ 16:30~20:00
Hehuan Sliced Noodles (合歡刀削麵)
Located on the second floor of Nanmen Market, Hehuan Sliced Noodles is well-known for the traditional hand-sliced noodle, although always draw huge crowds queued for it at mealtime,
- Avg. Cost:NT$60~110 ($1.9~3.5)
- Get Location
- Tel:+886 2 2396-4592
- Hours:Tue – Sun 10:30~20:00 | Mon Closed
Fujing Gnocchi (福井麵疙瘩)
Fujing Gnocchi has been serving many locals with the freshly handmade gnocchi dishes for many years, the dishes are simple and affordable, there are three options you can match with your gnocchi: seafood, lean meat, and pork liver.
Don’t forget to add chili bean sauce to your gnocchi making it more tasty.
- Avg. Cost:NT$70~130 ($2.3~4.2)
- Get Location
- Tel:+886 2 2351-9136
- Hours:Mon – Sat 11:00~14:30 / 17:00~20:30 | Sun Closed
Bean Taste (豆味行)
Bean Taste is a famous shop selling both savory snack and sweet dessert, you can taste the delectable Tempura and have a tofu pudding for afters.
- Avg. Cost:NT$60~105 ($1.9~3.4)
- Get Location
- Tel:+886 2 2351-8939
- Hours:Mon – Sat 11:15~21:00 | Sun Closed
Cafe de Gear
Cafe de Gear is a coffee shop converted from a western old house, which is full of nostalgic vibe and design, and there is an outdoor area on the first floor so that you can enjoy the cup of coffee and chill up at the moment.
- Avg. Cost:NT$140~320 ($4.5~10.1)
- Get Location
- Tel:+886 2 2356-3389
- Hours:Mon – Fri 11:00~21:00 |
Sat – Sun 09:30~21:00
Tiger Coffee (虎記商行)
The small old house was converted into a coffee shop and still remained some old-style, with many different totems painted on the wall makes people feel like walking into the fantasy space.
There is no Wifi and socket available because the owner hopes the customer quietly enjoy a cup of coffee and interact with people rather than media.
- Avg. Cost:NT$120~300 ($3.8~9.6)
- Get Location
- Tel:+886 2 3343-3508
- Hours:Tue – Sun 12:00~20:00 | Mon Closed
What About Tonight?
Revolver
Revolver is a small but popular bar with live music on the second floor also, they have great live music events every night and offer a wide selection of beer, just make sure you go there during the happy hour(daily 18:30 – 21:30).
- Avg. Cost:NT$80+ ($2.6)
- Get Location
- Tel:+886 2 3393-1678 | 2341-7375
- Hours:Mon – Thu 18:30~03:00 | Fri – Sat 18:30~04:00 | Sun 18:30~01:00
See Also:
Best Bars in Taipei – Secret Hidden Bars You Can’t Miss
The Best Place for Cocktails – Most Popular Taipei Bars
I hope you enjoyed reading this post. Tell us what is your most favorite part? What kind of food you would like to try? If you have any questions on your trip to Taipei, please leave in the comments below, I will be more than happy to help you out:)