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Perfectly Taipei - 25 Must-See City Highlights

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25 Must-See City Highlights
  • National Palace Museum

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    National Palace Museum

    Must-see: Modern technology meets ancient artifacts. Close-up interaction.

    The National Palace Museum has been applying digital innovation to its extensive collection for some two decades. The many new media art productions presented at the NPM in recent years spotlight some of the more significant items in the museum’s collection and promote cultural equality.

    In addition to the NPM’s high-resolution "Scroll Painting Animation" series, the results of the painting and calligraphy virtual-reality project, completed in 2016, are now used in educational promotion both in the museum and elsewhere. Video displays, sound, and virtual reality technology have transformed priceless museum items into accessible works of new media art. Some productions even bring people and animals in classic paintings “to life”, animating long-forgotten scenes and immersing visitors in the reality and experiences of times long past.

    The National Palace Museum is a classic Chinese palace-style building with emerald green tiles and yellow walls. The museum is home to the finest and most extensive collection of Chinese cultural treasures in the world. Make sure to include a visit to the National Palace Museum on your next Taipei City itinerary.

    Ideal for

    Visitors of all ages, families, and international tourists. This is a Muslim-friendly destination.

    For more information

    National Palace Museum

  • Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

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    Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

    Must-see: Escape the urban hustle, take a stroll down Hoop Pine Trail

    Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, an environmental education-certified facility, offers occasional horticulture and gardening classes. Hoop Pine Trail in the Hall’s “Tiger Back Zone” is highly recommended. The trail offers natural shade and is regularly brushed by cool breezes, giving the feel of a true forest trail. Listen to cicadas buzzing and birds chirping and singing, and enjoy a moment of tranquility here.

    Covering an area of 25 hectares, the Memorial Hall complex also includes the National Theater and National Concert Hall. The Memorial Hall building itself hosts a regularly changing schedule of art exhibitions and cultural activities. Also, learn more here about former ROC President Chiang Kai-shek and the modern history of Taiwan in the history gallery. If you visit during winter, make sure to enjoy the sakura cherry trees in full bloom!

    Ideal for

    International tourists and visitors of all ages.

    For more information

    Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

  • Xinyi Public Assembly Hall

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    Xinyi Public Assembly Hall

    Must-see: A rare chance to visit a 1950s-era military dependents' village

    The cultural and creative markets and secondhand bazaars held here on most weekends and holidays feature a kaleidoscopic array of artful creativity and youthful ingenuity. If you are lucky, you may catch one of the occasional music performances as well. The relaxed feel of this site echoes the ambiance of the former military dependents' village here.

    The serenity of this site contrasts markedly with the bustle of the surrounding Xinyi District. Xinyi Public Assembly Hall retains its original architectural stylings, which are typical of mid-20th century military dependents' villages. The site borders on Military Families Community Park, Jingxin Park, and Xinyi Elementary School. It is a good place to escape the bustle of the city and to catch a glimpse of the unique and once-prevalent culture that defined Taiwan's military dependents' villages.

    Ideal for

    Youth travelers, families, and senior visitors.

    For more information

    Xinyi Public Assembly Hall

  • Taipei Children's Amusement Park

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    Taipei Children's Amusement Park

    Must-see: Fun and convenient “smart” access.

    Your prepaid EasyCard is all you need to enter and enjoy all of the attractions at this fun-filled amusement complex. Use your EasyCard to purchase access passes, take premium rides, and shop at most of the park’s retailers.

    Unlike other amusement parks, the Taipei Children's Amusement Park uses a pay-as-you-go plan. Use the park’s exclusive app to make advance reservations for the most popular rides. The park has fun rides, free play areas, and a children's theater offering exceptional free shows on weekends and holidays.

    Ideal for

    Families and senior visitors. This is a Muslim-friendly destination.

    For more information

    Taipei Children's Amusement Park

  • TAIPEI 101 Observatory

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    TAIPEI 101 Observatory

    Must-see: One of the tallest buildings in the world; Taiwan's “window on the world”

    Taipei’s cityscape has never looked better! Catch the high-speed elevator (the world's fastest [2004-2015] according to the Guinness Book of World Records) to the 89th floor observation deck. From here, you have an unrestricted 360 perspective on Taipei City’s irrepressible vibe. Visitors from across the world come here to taste the surprise of Taiwan and appreciate life in Formosa.

    The tuned mass damper, a key architectural feature that keeps Taipei 101 stable during high winds and earthquakes, is not only the world's largest and heaviest skyscraper damper but also the first to be opened to the public.

    The outdoor observation deck on the 91st floor, rising 390 meters above the streets below, offers an experience that is typically windier and cooler than that found at street level. Look up to see the 101’s spire close up, rising to 580 meters above street level (note: the outdoor observation deck is closed during bad weather).

    Ideal for

    Youth travelers and international tourists. This is a Muslim-friendly destination.

    For more information

    TAIPEI 101 Observatory

  • National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall

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    National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall

    Must-see: National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall

    In addition to the well-known, hourly changing-of-the-guard ceremony, the SYS Memorial offers a regularly changing schedule of free, world-class public art exhibitions. Also, make sure to take advantage of the hall’s extensive public library / reading room and its collection of books on modern history and the social sciences. The Grand Hall, a multipurpose performance venue, regularly hosts the Golden Horse Awards ceremony and other theatrical and musical events.

    The Memorial Hall is set within verdant Zhongshan Park, which hosts tai ch’i and folk dance enthusiasts in the morning and happy families during the day and into the evening. The Memorial Hall was designed by celebrated architect Wang Da-hong. The building reflects Chinese architectural elements that give the hall its solemn, simple, approachable, and energetic character.

    Ideal for

    Families, youth travelers, senior visitors, and international tourists.

    For more information

    National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall

  • Taipei Astronomical Museum

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    Taipei Astronomical Museum

    Must-see: Exploring beyond our planet

    In addition to its exceptional exhibits on all things extra-terrestrial, this museum offers a fun ride into the solar system. This 200-meter ride takes visitors through the story of space exploration, accompanied by a stimulating panoply of visual, lighting, and sound effects. Learn about the solar system with a dash of science fiction added for fun!

    Taipei Astronomical Museum brings the universe to you. Enjoy the latest science-themed documentaries in the museum’s Imax theater and gaze into the night sky in the planetarium. The cosmic view created here is realistic, and interactive facilities give children and adults the opportunity to play and learn together.

    Ideal for

    Families and youth travelers.

    For more information

    Taipei Astronomical Museum

  • Taipei Zoo

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    Taipei Zoo

    The Taipei Zoo is the largest zoo in Southeast Asia. The size of the zoo complex and the large number of animals on display make it difficult to see everything in just one day. Before visiting, browse the map and the recommended itineraries on the official website to make sure your route takes you to everything you’d like to see.

    Ideal for

    Families, senior visitors, youth travelers, and international tourists.

    For more information

    Taipei Zoo

  • Songshan Cultural and Creative Park

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    Songshan Cultural and Creative Park

    Must-see: An 80-year old tobacco factory renewed and reinvigorated through cultural creativity

    The Songshan Cultural and Creative Park is housed in Taiwan’s first modern tobacco factory. Built in 1940, the abandoned facility was rededicated in 2011 as the Songshan Cultural and Creative Park. It regularly hosts city cultural and creative festivals as well as the Taipei Original Festival. Moreover, the diverse annual calendar of art exhibitions, cultural activities, and cultural performances has continued to breath vital new life into this historical site -- now considered one of the city’s key creative hubs.

    Take a stroll in the complex’s lush green spaces, enjoy the many local and international performances, feel the allure of youthful cultural-creative brands, and appreciate the new cultural and creative vitality that now infuses this historical site.

    Ideal for

    Families, youth travelers, senior visitors, and international tourists.

    For more information

    Songshan Cultural and Creative Park

  • Taipei Fine Arts Museum

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    Taipei Fine Arts Museum

    Founded in 1983, Taipei Fine Arts Museum (TFAM) is Taiwan’s first public arts museum. Designed by Architect E.P. Kao (Kao Erh-pan), TFAM is situated by River Keelung in Yuanshan area, right inside Fine Arts Park of Taipei Expo Park. Built in international modernist style, t the greyish white building has merged the spirit of Chinese traditional courtyard house to incorporate the form of traditional Chinese cross-shaped “dougong” brackets stacked on top of one another in an overall hashmark (#) structure, implying that arts museums are the running water of the Spring of Culture. The hall is bright and spacious with a 9-m high ceiling, which echoes with the display space 3 levels above ground and 1 level below ground, and has glass curtains replaced enclosed walls to let in daylight. The courtyard that draws in natural light creates a rhythm of light and shadow that shifts over time. The overall architectural design is grand and light-weight and integrates an artistic conception of literati and garden landscape.

    Ideal for

    Youth travelers, international tourists, and families.

    For more information

    Taipei Fine Arts Museum

  • Ximen Red House

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    Ximen Red House

    Must-see: Immerse yourself in a century-old vestige of Taiwan's renaissance

    Ximen Red House in Taipei’s Ximending District was built in 1908 as Taiwan’s first government-built public market. Renowned Japanese Colonial Period architect Juro Kondo, working for the colonial government (Sotokufu), designed this building using an artfully integrated fusion of Western and contemporary Japanese elements. The brick building is architecturally interesting for its integration of two, distinctly different building elements – an octagonal hall and a cruciform main building. These two, together with adjacent north and south plazas, comprise today’s Ximen Red House venue.

    Ximen Red House has been repurposed several times over its career, starting as a public market and then used as a cinema, performance theater, and cinema again. In 2007, the Taipei City Department of Cultural Affairs commissioned the Taipei Culture Foundation to promote the site as a springboard for cultural-creativity promotion and retailing as part of efforts to revitalize Ximending District. Ten years on, Ximen Red House is now a nationally popular hub of youthful, creative vitality and a must-visit destination for culture, creativity, and art in Taipei City.

    Ideal for

    Youth travelers and international tourists.

    For more information

    Ximen Red House

  • Chiang Kai-shek Shilin Residence Park

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    Chiang Kai-shek Shilin Residence Park

    Must-see: Step into the joyful, carefree world of flowers.

    The horticulture experts that manage Chiang Kai-shek Shilin Residence Park carefully nurture and arrange live flower art that ensures this outdoor park is in beautiful bloom across every season. February features the Spring Festival flower and tulip show, amaryllis and rose shows are held during March and April, May features the annual orchid show, the Taipei bonsai exhibition takes center stage in September, and the much-anticipated chrysanthemum show runs from November through December. A regular calendar of seminars, music performances, and art and culture activities infuse this ‘garden paradise’ with even more vitality.

    Chiang Kai-shek Shilin Residence Park and its gardens, covering an area of 9.28 hectares, are a national heritage site that was once part of the private residence of former ROC President Chiang Kai-shek and his wife. For those wanting to recapture some mid-century nostalgia, cheongsam dresses are available for rent. Take time off while here to enjoy a light meal and coffee in the park’s café.

    Ideal for

    Senior visitors and families.

    For more information

    Chiang Kai-shek Shilin Residence Park

  • National Taiwan Museum

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    National Taiwan Museum

    Must-see: Stained-glass skylight radiates classic beauty

    The central hall, supported by 32 delicately decorated Corinthian columns and lit by an exquisite stained-glass skylight, is the focal point of this historic museum building.

    The museum is located a short walk from Taipei Main Station. The building reflects Greek Renaissance aesthetics and was built over a century ago to collect and display the nature and culture of Japan’s newly acquired colony of Taiwan. The museum collection today spans over 110,000 items, including precious native animals, plants, and minerals as well as one of the nation’s earliest and most extensive collection of ethnic and anthropological artifacts. The NTM is an easily accessible window onto Taiwan’s natural and cultural foundations.

    Ideal for

    Youth travelers and international tourists.

    For more information

    National Taiwan Museum

  • Taipei Confucius Temple

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    Taipei Confucius Temple

    Must-see: traditional Ya Music Dance recitals

    Ya Music Dance is a traditional dance set to music. Music students play traditional eight-sound instruments, while dancers perform while holding flutes. The ceremony performance, formal and elegant, is a rarely performed ancient ritual and an international heritage treasure.

    Taipei Confucius Temple, a city historical site, was designed by Wang Yi-shun, a renowned master from Xidi, Quanzhou in China. In addition to displaying cultural artifacts, the site also integrates innovative technologies, creating a multimedia interactive center that features the Zhou Dynasty Line Dance and a 4D virtual reality theater. This center helps visitors gain a deeper understanding of Confucius and the temple as well as of the fundamentals of traditional Chinese education.

    Ideal for

    Families, senior visitors, international tourists.

    For more information

    Taipei Confucius Temple

  • Huashan 1914 Creative Park

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    Huashan 1914 Creative Park

    Must-see: Diverse exhibitions and themed shops spotlight the leading edge of local cultural creativity

    Huashan 1914 Creative Park interweaves the original architectural stylings of this heritage winery site with new design aesthetics that give this park its unique charms.

    Creative Park shops showcase Taiwanese culture, with enough to see to spend an entire day! The park also has a cinema, a performance theater, and theme restaurants. Watch a movie, take in a play, or enjoy a concert while here.

    The park also hosts over a thousand art and cultural exhibitions each year, making it an important national venue for cultural activities. Non-profit organizations and individuals put on art and literature exhibitions and music performances that also add to the unique Taiwanese cultural-creative vibe of the Huashan 1914 Creative Park.

    Ideal for

    Youth travelers, senior visitors, families, international tourists.

    For more information

    Huashan 1914 Creative Park

  • Plum Garden

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    Plum Garden

    Must-see: Flourishing flowers and plants and lush trees show you the elegance of the garden

    The street-side wall of Plum Garden resembles a city battlement. The lush green trees in the backyard are elegant and secluded, overlooking the flowing waters of Beitou Creek. Sit at a corner of the garden to appreciate its tranquility and feel time seem to stop momentarily.

    Plum Garden was built in the late 1930s and is now a city historical site. Beitou Park, where Plum Garden is located, meanders along Beitou Creek and is an ideal place for a stroll. Taipei Public Library Beitou Branch, the country’s first green library, and Beitou Hot Spring Museum are both nearby and worth visiting.

    Ideal for

    Senior visitors, international tourists, families.

    For more information

    Plum Garden

  • Taipei Water Park

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    Taipei Water Park

    Must see: A historical setting of baroque buildings and turn-of-the-20th-century technology.

    Museum of Drinking Water:This neoclassical building bears a striking resemblance to an ancient Greek temple enhanced with contemporary Baroque-inspired flourishes. The row of Ionic columns out front are capped by pairs of horn-like volutes on their capitals. The building is a favorite spot today for wedding photographers.

    Guanyin Mountain Reservoir:The side of Guanyin Mountain by Xindian River is rich in water, animal, and plant resources. During the Japanese Colonial Period, British engineer William Burton recommended establishing a raw water intake along the side of Xindian River, a water purification plant in the foothills of Guanyin Mountain, and a groundwater pool on the mountain. This subterranean ‘water palace’ is an ideal place to learn about the history of water resources in Taiwan.

    Water Amusement Park:Open late May through early September. The large, shallow pool here is fun for kids of all ages. The amusement park is a multipurpose leisure attraction that delivers knowledge, fun, culture, history, education, and entertainment – A great venue for family get-togethers!

    Ideal for

    Families and youth travelers.

    For more information

    Taipei Water Park

  • Mengjia Lungshan Temple

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    Mengjia Lungshan Temple

    Must-see: Guanyin Bodhisattva and Yue Lao – Taiwan’s Cupid!

    During the Second World War, the Mengjia area was targeted by air raids that, while destroying the nave of this temple, left the statue of the seated Guanyin Bodhisattva untouched. This ‘miracle’ has since been followed by other propitious signs, which have helped make the temple a popular focus of traditional worship. In recent years, Yue Lao, the traditional god of marriage and love, has attracted many worshippers from Japan, making Lungshan Temple busier and more popular than ever.

    The Lungshan Temple building is styled in the classic courtyard ‘siheyuan’ format, with three front gates opening onto the main hall. The spiral caisson ceiling is designed and made without a single nail, demonstrating the great skills involved in its construction. The temple is national historic site. The beautiful sculptures here invoke visual and spiritual tranquility. The temple is a good place to learn more about Taiwanese folk culture.

    Ideal for

    Youth travelers and senior visitors.

    For more information

    Mengjia Lungshan Temple

  • Ketagalan Culture Center

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    Ketagalan Culture Center

    Must-see: A window on Taiwan’s indigenous cultures

    This center is a multipurpose venue featuring artifact displays, cultural education promotions, traditional knowledge education, and indigenous culture promotion. The space is available for gatherings, seminars, book readings. and studying and provides a permanent venue for sharing and sustaining tribal culture.

    The ten-story main building is imbued with indigenous vitality. Visitors may follow the Beitou hot spring waterway to discover a unique ecological corridor. In addition to enjoying the hot spring, visitors can appreciate and learn more about indigenous cultures and art and come to better accept and respect Taiwan’s diverse ethnic groups.

    Ideal for

    Families

    For more information

    Ketagalan Culture Center

  • Yangming Park

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    Yangming Park

    Must-see: The majestic music flower clock

    Stroll at the park and absorb the natural phytoncides in the air. Many tourists stop and enjoy the flower clock and its live, blooming flowers. The clock face is a lush, green lawn artfully planted with live, seasonal flowers. From 8 am to 5 pm daily, the clock marks every half hour with a beautiful tune.

    Part of the Tatun Volcano Group and with an elevation of 445 meters, the park was originally constructed during the Japanese Colonial Period as a private garden of the Japanese businessman Yoshinobu Yamamoto. After 1945, the park was bought by Haishan Coal Mine Company, which later donated the park to the Yangmingshan Administrative Bureau. The Taipei City Government later took over the park from the bureau. Enjoy the park’s gorgeous flowers in the spring, escape here from the heat of summer, view silver grass and maple leaves in the autumn, and take a dip in the area’s hot springs during the winter. The beautiful scenery awaits you here across all seasons.

    Ideal for

    Families, senior visitors, youth travelers.

    For more information

    Yangming Park

  • Taipei Botanical Garden

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    Taipei Botanical Garden

    Must-see: Breathing with plants at Nanmon-cho 323

    This garden once belonged to the Taiwan Forestry Research Institute’s dormitories. After renovations in 2014, the facility was opened to the public. A Japanese rock garden was also added to give a hint of its glorious past. At present, a variety of plant promotion activities are held here from time to time, and occasional exhibitions add a sense of history, culture, and humanity.

    Taipei Botanical Garden is truly an urban oasis – a quiet and comfortably getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city. In summer, there are lotus flowers in full bloom and, in winter, bare tree branches and empty courtyards envelop the park with a stark beauty. This large public garden features thousands of plants from around the world. It is an ideal venue for families to stroll and relax, especially on weekends and holidays.

    Ideal for

    Families and senior visitors.

    For more information

    Taipei Botanical Garden

  • Dalongdong Baoan Temple

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    Dalongdong Baoan Temple

    Must-see: World-class religious culture

    Baoan Temple has gradually evolved from a local temple into a major venue of religion, culture, education, and art. The temple today is an important engine driving the revitalization of local culture in the city. The seven murals in the cloister of the main hall, painted by internationally acclaimed traditional artist Li-Shui Pan, attract domestic and foreign visitors alike.

    Every March 15 of the lunar calendar, the birthday of the Baosheng Emperor, marks the start of a two-month culture festival at Baosheng Temple that includes a pilgrimage, performing arts events, Taiwanese opera performances, and much more. This festival is one of the most lively and popular temple fairs in northern Taiwan, attracting visitors from far and wide to enjoy the festivities.

    Ideal for

    Youth travelers and international tourists.

    For more information

    Dalongdong Baoan Temple

  • Beitou Park Outdoor Hot Spring Bathing Pool

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    Beitou Park Outdoor Hot Spring Bathing Pool

    Must-see: Relaxing outdoor hot spring bathing at a great price

    The six hot spring pools here offer temperatures from hot to comfortably warm. Relax in the one that is perfect for you. The hot spring water used at Beitou Park Outdoor Hot Spring Bathing Pool is piped constantly in from the geothermal valley nearby. The blue sulfur (chloride ion sulfate) spring water is strongly acidic, with a PH value of 1 ~ 2. The trace amounts of radium in the water justify its identification as a radium hot spring as well.

    Want to experience an open-air bath pool? Immerse yourself in the hot spring here brushed by natural breezes. Visit at night to relax under the moon and stars. Relax and heal your body and mind.

    Ideal for

    Senior visitors and families.

    For more information

    Beitou Park Outdoor Hot Spring Bathing Pool

  • National Taiwan Science Education Center

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    National Taiwan Science Education Center

    Must-see: Experience the thrill of riding through the air

    The center features the first airborne bicycles in Asia. Riders get a one-of-a-kind view of the center as they pedal across a wire suspended 5-stories up in the air. The ride also teaches the principles of leverage and tension – making the experience both educational and entertaining.

    The center also has a 3D theater, surround-sound theater, and earthquake theater. The design of the chairs immerses visitors in the experience. The center also has a library that provides information and resources on science education. The center caters to readers of all ages and turns difficult chemistry concepts into interesting interactive games -- integrating science into daily life.

    Ideal for

    Families

    For more information

    National Taiwan Science Education Center

  • National Revolutionary Martyrs' Shrine of the R.O.C

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    National Revolutionary Martyrs' Shrine of the R.O.C

    Must-see: The five enigmatic lines in the floor

    The Martyrs' Shrine is guarded by ceremonial troops from the Republic of China Army, Navy and Air Force. The hourly handover and rifle drill are conducted every day on the hour. The powerful pace and uniform movements reflect the strict discipline and unflinching commitment of the guards and the highest respect of the nation for its martyrs. The ceremonial route is now indelibly rutted by the passage of an untold number of honor guards – creating a must-see part of any visit.

    The National Revolutionary Martyrs' Shrine was built in 1969. The majestic architecture symbolizes sacrifice and honor. The martyrs who are honored in the shrine all demonstrated their sense of responsibility and adventurous spirit in giving the ultimate sacrifice to their country. The shrine is worth visiting in order to better understand the stories of these martyrs and of the early, tumultuous years of the Republic of China.

    Ideal for

    International tourists and youth travelers

    For more information

    National Revolutionary Martyrs' Shrine of the R.O.C

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