Chung Cheng Memorial Hall

The National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall is a famous monument erected in memory of Chiang Kai-shek. The octagonal roof rises 70 meters above the ground. The shape picks up the symbolism of the number 8, abundance and good fortune.

The National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall
-we counted the steps as we climbed up to find out the age of Chiang


The main hall of the Memorial Hall
-It has a statue of President Chiang Kai-shek.
-we were not allowed to go near the statue or the guards

Main gate at Liberty Square
-view from the main hall of the Memorial Hall


Two sets of stairs, each with 89 steps to represent Chiang's age at the time of his death, lead to the main entrance.

The main entrance features a pair of double doors, each standing 16 meters high and weighing 75 tons, that open into the main hall.

A large bronze statue of Chiang kai-shek dominates the main hall. The figure is shown smiling, seated and wearing traditional Chinese dress. Inscribed on the wall above and behind the seated figure are the Chinese characters for Ethics, Democracy, and Science. Inscriptions on the side walls read The purpose of life is to improve the general life of humanity and The meaning of life is to create and sustain subsequent lives in the universe.

the guards on duty

Representatives of the armed forces guard the main hall during its open hours. The changing of the guards takes place every hour, attracting many visitors.
http://en.wikipedia.org

Comments

  1. CH VoonApril 4, 2010 at 1:18 PM

    i am pity those guards who always stand there and do nothing. it is eeasy job but not suitable for mee.

    ReplyDelete
  2. MeRyApril 4, 2010 at 1:54 PM

    Nice pics..

    ReplyDelete
  3. VickiApril 4, 2010 at 3:03 PM

    Great photos. It looks like an incredible place.

    ReplyDelete
  4. TekkausApril 4, 2010 at 3:22 PM

    So huge. :p The guards....I salute them. If I were them...I would have fallen asleep.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Angie's RecipesApril 4, 2010 at 4:23 PM

    You have been everywhere!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪April 4, 2010 at 4:28 PM

    Those guards look like toys soldiers

    Happy Easter

    ReplyDelete
  7. LifeRamblingsApril 4, 2010 at 5:35 PM

    hope you had a blast in taiwan.

    ReplyDelete
  8. KelvinApril 4, 2010 at 5:49 PM

    U should tease the guards haha:D

    ReplyDelete
  9. uLi.佑莉April 4, 2010 at 5:50 PM

    Salute to the guards!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. CheaHSanApril 4, 2010 at 6:22 PM

    I wonder any of the guards ever sneezed before? If they laugh will land up in deep trouble.

    ReplyDelete
  11. AnonymousApril 4, 2010 at 6:34 PM

    Beautiful photos, wenn. Glad you're back, and Happy Easter!

    ReplyDelete
  12. MODERN ROBINSON CRUSOEApril 4, 2010 at 6:51 PM

    Happy Easter, Wenn - Learnt of no.of steps that is equivalent to his age!

    The guards kinda like the England's guards (from Mr bean's movie) ~ serious & discipline as sentinel

    ReplyDelete
  13. smallkucingApril 4, 2010 at 7:06 PM

    I had no ideal Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall is so big

    As for the changing guard thing, KL istana also have but I havent seen yet

    ReplyDelete
  14. This Is My Blog - fishing guyApril 4, 2010 at 7:41 PM

    Wenn: What great photos from the hall. It reminds me of our Lincoln Memorial.

    ReplyDelete
  15. ReanaclaireApril 4, 2010 at 7:55 PM

    i heard that those who stand on guard are normally newly recruits.. like sort of training for them..

    ReplyDelete
  16. VanillaSevenApril 4, 2010 at 10:33 PM

    I wonder what if the guards need a toilet break?

    ReplyDelete
  17. Alice LawApril 4, 2010 at 10:36 PM

    Wonderful shots! Do you own a studio? Your pictures are beautiful! ^-^

    ReplyDelete
  18. catApril 4, 2010 at 11:09 PM

    Thank you for this lovely tour of a place I will probably never have the opportunity to visit :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. khengsiongApril 5, 2010 at 8:31 AM

    Chiang Kai-shek used to be a hero in Taiwan, but now he is seen by many as a dictator. Wondering if the memorial would be renamed sometime in future...

    ReplyDelete
  20. foongpcApril 5, 2010 at 11:44 PM

    I like the shape of the roof! Yes, it symbolises wealth and fortune! : )

    ReplyDelete
  21. SJB aka SUELYN J-B.April 8, 2010 at 6:33 AM

    Interesting hall.

    ReplyDelete

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