Millions of people who mourned the passing of President Chiang Kai-shek on April 5, 1975, wanted to express their love and respect for the great national leader in a permanent way. This desire has been fulfilled recently by the official opening of the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall and Park, whose US$70 million cost was provided to a large extent by public donations.
As the concept of hall won immediate approval from the people, the government established a preparatory committee in June 1975. The site chosen was one of 250,000 square meters encompassed by Chungshan South Road, Hsinyi Road, Hangchow South Road and Aikuo East Road.
The preparatory committee eventually accepted plans submitted by architect Yang Cho-cheng, and ground was broken on Oct. 31, 1976, the 90th birthday anniversary of the late President. The Retired Servicemen's Engineering Agency of the Vocational Assistance Commission for Retired Servicemen of the Executive Yuan was appointed as contractor.
For the past three years, passersby could marvel as the hall progressively grew in stature, enveloped in its scaffolding like a pupa.
Dedication of the Memorial Hall and Park took place on the morning of April 4, Tomb Sweeping Day, and also the fifth anniversary of the death of the late President Chiang Kai-shek. The ceremony on the Chan Yan (Worshipping) processional aisle in front of the main building, revealed to the world one of the truly remarkable memorials of our time. The monument will undoubtedly take its place beside the Washington, Jefferson and Lincoln memorials in Washington and even the Taj Mahal in India.
During the solemn and impressive dedication ceremony, President Chiang Ching-kuo, son of the late President, pressed a button which opened the 16-meter high bronze gate to officially inaugurate the Memorial.
The architecture is in traditional Chinese style. The main gate facing Chungshan South Road is 30 meters high and 70 meters wide, with an awning of blue glazed tiles, and pillars and buttresses of white marble. The inscription above the portal consists of the four Chinese characters: Ta Chung Chih Cheng, meaning the "Great Golden Mean and Extreme Righteousness," and including the late President's name, Chung Cheng.
A white Chan Yan boulevard, 215 meters long and 40 meters wide leads from the main entrance on Chungshan South Road to the 70-meter-high memorial hall, the tallest building in Taipei, which stands in the center of the complex.
The construction of the imposing hall incorporates a blend of the classical Chinese architectural style with the most modern Western techniques. The dark blue double eaves which tilt upwards are covered by glazed tiles and the glistening golden cupola (Pao Ting) at the apex of the roof are patterned after the Temple of Heaven (Tien Tan) in Peiping. The square shape of the building represents the spirit of righteousness; and the three-tiered staircase, San Min Chu Yi (Three Principles of the People). On the roof of the main building, several inverted V's (resembling the Chinese character for man) meet at the center of the main building--all reaching to the sky, and symbolizing the great harmony between the people and heaven.
The major colors of blue and white used in the Memorial symbolize liberty and equality in the same way as the White Sun in the Blue Sky, which comprise the national flag of the Republic of China, and give the impression of peace and dignity. The golden cupola stands for the Golden Mean and the links between man and heaven.
On entering the main hall, the visitor first sees a bronze statue of the late President, created by Chen Yi-fan, standing 9.8 meters high. The statue is so lifelike that one almost expects a kindly word or a gesture of benediction from the late President. His will is inscribed on the base of the statue, and six big characters Lun Li (ethics), Ming Chu (democracy), and Ko Hsueh (science) are inscribed on the marble wall behind the statue. The late President's famous sayings: "To live is to seek a better life for all mankind; the meaning of life lies in the creation of a life beyond life" is engraved on the two sides of the main hall.
The ceiling is made of Chinese cypress timber bearing a design of squares in various sizes arranged in such a way that one is enclosed within another. The innermost square encompasses the White Sun in the Blue Sky.
The white marble walls, tawny Chinese cypress ceiling, and pink granite floor combine to give a feeling of sanctity, serenity and peace.
On the lower floor are exhibition rooms containing the Generalissimo's memorabilia, books, historical documents, and personal effects, and a 168-seat theater where documentary films of his life and times are shown.
As one enters the exhibition room, the first thing to come into view is a large oil painting showing Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the founder of the Republic of China, and the late President at the Canton Railway Station on their way north to Sao Kuan to work out the Northward Expedition campaign. The picture of the two great leaders sitting face to face in a train compartment was executed by artist Hsu Chiu-lin. On the opposite wall are hung paintings of the late President's temporary resting place at Tzu Hu, executed by famous local artists Ran In-ting and Chang Ta-chien.
The display demonstrates vividly the late President's simple way of life, his studies, his devotion to Christianity, his love for art and the people, and his desire to improve living standards in remote areas.
The Memorial Park is three times the size of Taipei New Park, which for many years has been the biggest green area in downtown Taipei. More than 100 species of indigenous and exotic flowers, trees and plants line the many pathways, ponds, bridges and resting places.
The park was designed by the most experienced horticulturalist in the country, Hu Kuo-li. On either side of the Chan Yan boulevard are two flower beds fashioned in successive ju yi (scepter) patterns. The flowers are scheduled to be changed every three to four months to provide a new vista for tourists.
A 110-meter long and 2.5 meter high embankment was constructed at the rear of the Memorial to connect with small man-made hills on both sides of the hall to form a hu pei (tiger back) chair, a unique feature in traditional Chinese landscape gardening. Evergreen trees have been planted to provide luxuriant forest views; broken up only by small pathways.
A cloister topped with blue glazed tiles has been constructed around the enclosed area to provide shelter for visitors. In the wall, windows in 18 patterns fashioned in the style of traditional Chinese lanterns, provide an elegant and antique touch to the Memorial.
Two smaller ceremonial arches have been erected. The one facing Aikuo East Road has been dubbed Ta Hsiao (Great Filial Piety) Gate, and the other facing Hsinyi Road is named Ta Chung (Great Loyalty) Gate.
The completion of this majestic building has been made possible by the use of innovative architectural and engineering technology. The main hall itself is the first building of its size in the Republic of China which has not required the use of even one pillar or buttress. The Memorial is twice as earthquake-proof as ordinary buildings, and can withstand the strongest winds without suffering damage. Special emphasis has been placed on the construction of joints, and the RSEA engineers made use of the Vermont flat bar and slot method to lay marble on the wall.
In addition, a specially designed illumination system has given the hall an ethereal look at night.
The wholehearted support of the people of the Republic of China has played a big role in making the completion of the memorial possible. For instance, the two boulevards running parallel to the Chan Yan processional boulevard are made of granite donated by military servicemen and residents of the Kinmen area.
The most renowned Italian expert in glazed tiles was invited to the Republic of China to help local tile manufacturers improve their techniques. One manufacturer imported US$170,000 worth of machinery to mix the ceramic clay more evenly.
Following the completion of the first phase of the project, the second phase, involving the building of the National Opera House and Concert Hall on either side of the approach to the Memorial Hall, and an underground parking lot for 600 vehicles, will begin. After this stage is completed, Taipei will have a new center for culture and arts, whose contribution will be in keeping with the architectural and aesthetic dimensions of the project. The world is full of parks and monuments. But there is probably none with a nobler purpose and aspect than the one dedicated to the beloved late President of the Republic of China, Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek.
[Picture Caption]
Dedication of the Memorial Hall and Park (1) took place on April 4, 1980, the fifth anniversary of the death of President Chiang Kai-shek. The ceremony was presided over by President Chiang Ching-kuo (2). A guard in front of the Memorial (3). The first thing to come into view as one enters the exhibition room is a large oil painting showing Dr. Sun Yat-sen and the late President sitting face to face in a train compartment at the Canton Railway Station (4).
1 & 6. Specially designed illumination system gives the Memorial an ethereal look at night. 2-5. Scenes from the memorial dedication ceremony.
1. The bronze statue of the late President is so lifelike that one almost expects a kindly word or a gesture of benediction. 2. The ceiling is made of Chinese cypress timber. The innermost square surrounds a design of the White Sun in the Blue Sky. 3. Ceiling detail on the ground floor just outside the exhibition room. 4. Indigenous and exotic trees and plants line ponds and bridges to provide a comfortable place of recreation for people in the downtown area of Taipei.
The exhibition rooms contain some 300 pieces of the Generalissimo's memorabilia, books, historical documents, and personal effects. Pictures from left: Medal and flag of the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, commanding saber, uniform and cape.
Opposite: A view of the imposing Memorial Hall. Above right: Counters in the exhibition room. Below right: The 168-seat theater where documentary films of the Generalissimo's life and times are shown.
Right: A classical and graceful cloister has been constructed around the enclosed area to provide shelter for visitors. Below: On either side of the Chan Yan (Worshipping) processional boulevard are flower beds fahioned in successive ju yi ( scepter) patterns. Opposite: For the past three years, the hall has grown in stature, enveloped in its scaffolding like a pupa.
Dedication of the Memorial Hall and Park （1） took place on April 4, 1980, the fifth anniversary of the death of President Chiang Kai-shek. The ceremony was presided over by President Chiang Ching-kuo （2）. A guard in front of the Memorial.
A guard in front of the Memoria.
The first thing to come into view as one enters the exhibition room is a large oil painting showing Dr. Sun Yat-sen and the late President sitting face to face in a train compartment at the Canton Railway Station （4）
Specially designed illumination system gives the Memorial an ethereal look at night.
Scenes from the memorial dedication ceremony.
Scenes from the memorial dedication ceremony.
Scenes from the memorial dedication ceremony.
Scenes from the memorial dedication ceremony.
Specially designed illumination system gives the Memorial an ethereal look at night.
he bronze statue of the late President is so lifelike that one almost expects a kindly word or a gesture of benediction.
The ceiling is made of Chinese cypress timber. The innermost square surrounds a design of the White Sun in the Blue Sky.
Ceiling detail on the ground floor just outside the exhibition room.
Indigenous and exotic trees and plants line ponds and bridges to provide a comfortable place of recreation for people in the downtown area of Taipei.
Medal and flag of the commander-in-chief of the armed forces.
Medal and flag of the commander-in-chief of the armed forces.
A view of the imposing Memorial Hall.
Counters in the exhibition room.
The 168-seat theater where documentary films of the Generalissimo's life and times are shown.
A classical and graceful cloister has been constructed around the enclosed area to provide shelter for visitors.
On either side of the Chan Yan （Worshipping） processional boulevard are flower beds fahioned in successive ju yi （ scepter） patterns.
For the past three years, the hall has grown in stature, enveloped in its scaffolding like a pupa.
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