Important Information
Entry Fee | Free |
Hours | Daily: 9 AM–5 PM |
Address | No. 139, Beian Rd, Zhongshan District, Taipei City, 10491 |
Avg. Time Spent Here | <30 min |
Year Opened | 3/25/1969 |
Website | afrc.mnd.gov.tw |
The National Martyr’s Shrine came to in 1969 and its designers took inspiration from Beijing’s Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Forbidden City. This specific shrine’s dedicated to the 390,000 soldiers killed during the Chinese Civil War and when Taiwanese resisted the Japanese Empire’s rule.
To be qualified as a martyr, someone must have met one of these requirements:
- Died in a hazardous mission.
- Sacrificed their lives fulfilling their duty during a war.
- Sacrificed their lives for Republic of China (ROC) victory during a war.
This shrine’s an excellent place for history buffs.
What to Do
While here, check out these spots:
- Wing-rooms: 2 identical rooms flanking the shrine complex w/ interesting architecture.
- Bell & drum towers: Pavilions with a drum & bell.
- Shrine portal: Lion statues & other architecture.
- Gateway: Displays the following words based on soldiers who sacrificed their lives.
- Middle: Martyr’s Shrine.
- Left: Cheng Ren
- Right: Qu Yi
- Corridor: Hall surrounding the main palace.
- Military & civilian martyr shrine: Honors civilians & military personelle.
- Sanctuary: A room decorated with mythical beasts.
Then there’s the changing of the guard. Honor guards will perform drills once an hour for a few minutes between 9 AM and 5 PM.
How to Get There
Take the Taipei MRT Red Line to Yuanshan Station. From there, take Bus 208 to the Martyr’s Shrine Stop.