Inside the Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall 国立中正纪念堂

This is not my first time visiting the Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall. I have been here when I was a kid and it looks just like how it was back then. Granted I may have forgotten some details here and there but the most important feature of the hall is no doubt the statue of the man himself – Chiang Kai Shek. The statue is larger than life. Chiang Kai Shek sits on a massive chair while looking out the front door. There is a security cordon here so people can’t just get up to the statue. There is also military security here with regular changing of the guards which is also a sight to behold. I have seen one done in Sun Yat Sens memorial hall and it is pretty much the same as it is here. For me, it was a little too ceremonial and the guards took too long to get to their places.

Chiang Kai Shek is considered a controversial figure in the history of the island. Since fleeing from mainland China he ruled Taiwan with an iron fist and while this resulted in prosperity, there were reportedly a lot of people who suffered. Opponents were killed, basically dictator stuff. In recent years, the Taiwan government has sought to lessen the importance of Chiang Kai Shek while trying to honor him for his role in the existence of modern Taiwan. The result is this Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall.

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