Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

A white marble memorial under a blue-tiled octagonal roof, reached by 89 steps — one for each year of Chiang's life.

The building is white with four sides and a blue octagonal roof. The number eight is linked in Chinese culture to good fortune. Two sets of white stairs, each with 89 steps, lead to the entrance. The hall opened on 5 April 1980, and in recent years it has also become a place that remembers Taiwan's martial law period.

What does the design mean?

The 89 steps stand for Chiang's age when he died. The roof's eight sides pick up the symbolism of the number eight, a number traditionally associated with abundance and good luck.

The architect, Yang Cho-cheng, won a design competition after Chiang died on 5 April 1975. His plan used many elements of traditional Chinese architecture, much like the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum in Nanjing, which the ruling party honoured as its founder's resting place.

What is inside?

The ground level has a library and a museum about Chiang Kai-shek's life and career, with exhibits on Taiwan's history and development. The upper level has the main hall, where a large statue of Chiang sits.

The memorial park covers more than 240,000 square metres and has gates on several sides, including the Gate of Great Centrality and Perfect Uprightness at the west end. The square has become a favourite place in Taipei for large gatherings.

On the globe

The model shows the white marble hall under its blue octagonal roof with the long stairs in front.