The design was chosen by public contest
Although the original groundbreaking ceremony officiated by Chiang Kai-shek took place in 1965, it wasn’t until a year later that the winning design was chosen. Architect Wang Ta-hung’s design was chosen, but then modified by Chiang Kai-shek himself. The Hall was finished in 1972.
Chiang Kai-shek’s funeral took place there
When Sun’s protégé Chiang Kai-shek passed away, the memorial hall was considered a fitting venue for the funeral. It wasn’t a traditional Chinese burial, as Chiang’s wishes were that he would eventually be laid to rest in mainland China once the KMT had retaken control there – a wish that would never come true.
It’s not just a hall
The park surrounding the hall is a hugely popular place for locals to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city. It’s not uncommon to see people flying kites, doing exercise, or just relaxing in the landscaped grounds. The garden is 110,000 square meters in size and features Lake Cui and Xianshan Bridge.
Seeing the changing of the guards
The changing of the guards that takes place at Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall is the most popular stops for tours of the city, so you can expect to see large crowds. Here at Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial, it’s a little quieter but just as impressive. The change takes place every day from 9am to 5pm on the hour.
It’s also a library
The library in the memorial hall is home to an incredible selection of books and manuscripts, none of which can be taken out of the building. There are very strict rules, and each visitor must leave their ID at the front desk before entering. It’s a strange practice, but one that none of its visitors seem too bothered by.