Presidential Building, Taipei

2 more images

The National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall is a monument erected in memory of Chiang Kai-shek, former President of the Republic of China. A new name for the structure, National Taiwan Democracy Memorial Hall was announced by President Chen Shui-bian on 19 May 2007. At the entrance to the Memorial Park, the Gate of Great Centrality and Perfect Uprightness (‘å’†ŽŠ³) is a magnificent gate. The words ‘å’†ŽŠ³ contains two characters of the name of Chiang Kai-shek (’†³).

On Dec. 6 2007, the Memorial Hall was closed to the public at 9am for three days by order of the Ministry of Education to facilitate the replacement of the inscription on the main gate. The new inscriptions read Democracy Square. Pro-democracy supporters held a vigil at the Memorial Hall supporting the Ministry's decision while other groups of people protested the replacement of the inscription as they saw it as downplaying the legacy of Chiang Kai-shek. Kuomintang presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou (”n‰p‹ã) said at a separate setting that he would undo any removal or name change to the hall if he was elected President in 2008.

National Day or Double Ten Day is the last most important festival of the year in Taiwan. Double Ten Day observes the anniversary of the October 10 1911 revolution which led to the defeat of the dishonest Ching (Manchu) Dynasty and the Republic of China. The day is celebrated with impressive parades in front of Taipei's Presidential Office Building and the other events involve folk dances, dragon and lion dances, acrobatics and exhibits of marital arts.

I have never been inside the Presidential Building of the ROC, though I have seen it from the outside, and I do know that tours are offered. The Presidential Building has a distinctly Western look and feel, which helps you recognize that it was constructed by the Japanese during their occupation of Taiwan. Currently (August 2006), the president of the ROC has gotten himself into a rather uncomfortable situation, and everything concerning the president has become a touchy subject.

This building was built during the Japanese occupied period and served as the Governer's House. Ever since the Japanese's retreat, it became the office of the president (the current president is Chen Shui-bian). It is open for public visiting every weekday morning from 9 to 12. They often decorate the building during October 10 (Taiwan's National Day) and have a parade in front of the building.

Take a look at the workplace of Taiwan's president Chen Shui Bian.

Walk along the wide road that once staged a major protest during the March 20th presidential election whereby Mr Chen won "controversially".

The Presidential Office Building has been standing since 1919. And it has always been the office for the head of state since Japanese occupation.

It is a grand building, especially when you look at it from the 10-lane boulevard leading to the building.

We didn't get a chance to go inside (there are tours offer on weekdays, but you need to book in advance).

No camera is allowed during the weekday tours.

The Presidential Office Building faces the massive East Gate, one of five built as part of Taipei's original city wall. Built in the period of occupation by the Japanese, and at that time named the Supreme Office, every year at New Year and on national holidays there are parades, folk art demonstrations and other entertainment in the plaza in front of the building.

Partial Opening Every Week: Mondays to Fridays, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.

Full-house Opening: first Sunday every month, 8:00 AM to 16:00 PM

The Presidential Building
The Presidential Building used to be the Office of the Taiwan Governor-General during the Japanese occupation of Taiwan . Its construction began on June 1, 1912, and was completed in March 1919 . With the stage of the main entrance as its center , and with each floor in good formation , this solid building is well organized in structure , symmetric in shape , and distinctive in design .
Inside the building there are tall cylinders , refined ornaments , long corridors and exquisite arches , a building most influenced by English brick-built architecture during the period of Japanese rule .
During the final stage of World War II , bombardments seriously damaged the building . Reparative construction was completed in the year following Taiwan¡¦s retrocession to China in 1945 , and the building was renamed as Chieh Shou Hall in celebration of the 60th birthday of the then President Chiang Kai-shek . Since the Republic of China government moved to Taiwan in 1949 , this building has been used as the Office of the President. To date , it remains center of the nation's top leadership .