In the wake of Chiang Kai-shek's death on April 5,1975,
Chinese communities at home and abroad generously donated funds for the
government to build the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall as an expression
of their high esteem for the late President and as a way of eternally
cherishing his memory. The ground-breaking ceremony took place on
October 31,1976, construction commenced in November 1977 and was
completed in March 1980, and the hall was officially opened on April 5
the same year.
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The C.K.S.
Memorial Hall occupies an area of 250,000 square meters, and its
majestic main gateway on Chung Shan South Road, the Gate of Great
Centrality and Perfect Uprightness, stands 30meters tall. The hall is
also flanked by two side entrances: the Gate of Great Loyalty on Hsin Yi
Road to the north, and the Gate of Great Piety on Ai Kuo East Road to
the south. Surrounded by a 1,200-meter covered walk, the parklike
grounds include magnificent ornamental red flowerbeds, tree-lined
avenues and green lawns on both sides of the Boulevard of Homage
together with winding pathways, Plantations, two carp lakes, three
exercise areas, two cobblestone and three rockeries. The garden layout
blends nature and cultural space in a style that ref1ects the Chinese
aesthetic of "heaven and man at one", forming an oasis of tranquillity
amid the modern city bustle. Situated at the heart of Taipei city, the
C.K.S. Memorial Hall's majestic architecture is typically Chinese while
also incorporating features of memorial halls in other countries. The
National Theater's palace roof, the National Concert Hall's
hip-and-gable roof and the Memorial Hall's octagonal roof complement one
another in a vibrant salute to the spirit of Chinese culture. The C.K.S.
Memorial Hall, 70meters high, is capped by a steeply-pitched octagonal
roof clad in blue-glazed tiles. Its solemn white marble walls are
colorfully set off by the red flowerbeds in front of the hall. The
hall's upper floor houses a bronze statue of Chiang Kai-shek, behind
which stands the inscription: "Ethics, Democracy, Science"-the essence
of the Three Principles of the People and of Chiang Kai-shek's political
thinking. The walls to each side are inscribed: "Life's purpose is to
further the general life of mankind; Life's meaning is to create that
life by which the universe is sustained", embodying the ideals and
motives of Chiang Kai-shek's lifelong struggle. The bronze double doors
from an arch 16 meters high and weight 75 tons; The hall's ground floor
contains relics exhibition rooms, a film theater, two art galleries, a
library, an audio-visual center and the C.K.S. Memorial office. Over the
years, Taipei's majestic C.K.S. Memorial Hall has become a major city
landmark. Its lively social education program and its promotion of
social activities have also made it into m ideal leisure park for
Taipei's citizens, as well as an excellent place to immerse yourself in
culture. |