Travel is not just about seeing scenery. Visits to human rights memorials and sites of injustice offer a profound journey of reflection—a fresh look at history. This month we invite readers to experience this kind of “dark tourism.”
In Taipei, we follow architectural and cultural historian Ling Tzung-kuei into sites of injustice and other locations that symbolize authoritarian rule. We also go to the site of the Lin Family Murders, now transformed into the Gikong Presbyterian Church, which has been named a “site of significance for transitional justice.” There one can sense how the light of justice shines through the wounds of the past, and see the forgiveness and hope engendered by faith.
At Taipei’s Jing-Mei White Terror Memorial Park, we hear retired physician John Chen, a former political prisoner, describe in his own words his years behind bars and what he witnessed firsthand. Through the efforts of White Terror researcher Lin Chuan-kai, we also come to understand the complex human experiences embedded in historical sites of political injustice.
In Tainan, we follow the “Road of Justice and Courage,” which honors attorney Tang Te-chang, who sacrificed himself to protect others during the February 28 Incident of 1947. The Tainan City Government has even provided route markers embedded in sidewalks, where travelers can scan QR Codes to create a self-directed tour.
Through a walking tour of the major sites associated with the Kaohsiung Incident, following a route that traverses the Dagangpu area and the Gushan Tunnel, we gain a deeper understanding of the courage of those who fought for freedom back in the day, and see how Kaohsiung has been transformed into a city of human rights.
Besides historical sites, there are also all kinds of musical compositions, stage works, and films created by artistic and cultural innovators which transform the solemn memories of history into creative works that ensure that the past is not forgotten.
Emerging from the darkness of history, this issue we also bring you a story about the 2026 Taoyuan Land Art Festival. Centered on Taoyuan’s “Pearl Coast” tourism corridor, it displays works by artists from 13 countries, some co-created with local communities. Reconnecting art with the land, it offers a new landscape of co-existence between people and nature.
The accumulated impact of history is what creates resilience in a land. We sincerely invite you join us in visiting Taiwan’s human rights landmarks. As we revisit historical tragedies, we also gain a fresh perspective on our precious democracy and freedom.
