From Liberty Square to the Changing of the Guard Ceremony, a Review of the Chungjeong Memorial Hall

The Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall is located very close to Taipei Main Station (臺北車站). Just one stop away on the MRT: take the Tamsui-Xinyi Line or the Songshan-Xindian Line and get off at Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall Station. The journey takes about 2-3 minutes, and the plaza opens right out from the station, making it easy to find your way around. It's also a pleasant 15-20 minute walk, so if the weather is nice, it's a great option for a leisurely stroll while taking in the views of Taipei City. The Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall is a national memorial hall, completed in 1980 to commemorate Chiang Kai-shek, the first president of the Republic of China. The magnificent 70-meter-tall white main building and blue octagonal roof are striking, a modern interpretation of traditional Chinese architecture that is truly captivating. A sign reading "Freedom Square" hangs at the main gate, and the National Theater and the National Concert Hall are symmetrically located on either side of the square. Every hour on the hour, a guard-changing ceremony takes place inside the main building, and the precise and measured movements are quite a sight to behold. Inside, historical materials and exhibits related to Chiang Kai-shek are displayed, and throughout the building, visitors can glimpse Taiwan's modern and contemporary history. I visited late in the afternoon, and the cloudy sky made the building's grandeur even more dramatic. The moment I walked through the main gate of Freedom Square and into the main building was truly impressive. Climbing the stairs and entering the main building, I was particularly struck by the massive statue of Chiang Kai-shek. The exhibition hall displayed documents and photographs from the period. If you're interested in history, I highly recommend taking the time to explore. #OverseasTravel