Excursion Lungshan temple & c.k.s. memorial hall tour at Keelung

The West end of Taipei was once the center of political and economic activities of the city and where modern development started. This tour takes you through Taiwanese history, looking from the traditional beliefs of the late Qing dynasty, to the cultural shifts under Japanese ruling, then to the political landscape after the arrival of the Nationalist government in 1949.

Lungshan Temple

Lungshan Temple was founded in 1738 and dedicated to the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy (Kuan-in in Chinese, or Avalokitesvara in Sanskrit). Its architecture is a three-section design in shape. There are the front hall, the rear hall and the right/left dragons protecting the middle hall. The layout is square and serene. Due to natural disaster and damages caused by men, the temple was restored several times. The doors, beams, and poles are beautifully decorated. There is a pair of bronze dragon poles in the front hall, four pairs of dragon poles in the middle hall. The sculptures are delicate. There are also exquisite wood sculptures. Among them, the well and Budda setting in the main hall are highly appreciated. The temple has many Chinese poems, verses and lyrics on signs. These add a touch of literature in addition to the religious and sightseeing value.

Bopiliao Historical Block

At its peak during the late Qing Dynasty period (late 1800s), Bopiliao was one of the busiest and most prosperous commercial areas in Taipei, home to various merchants and was one of the major areas for the coal trade. During the Japanese occupation (1895-1945), new urban planning relegated the thoroughfare to a back alley as new roads were constructed to connect various parts of the city together in a more cohesive manner. This new connectivity within the city diminished the relevance of the area and it fell into disrepair.

The architecture of the area encompasses many different styles as Taiwan was passed from one colonial power to the next, including Southern Fujianese, Chinese Qing Dynasty, Japanese, ROC brutalist architecture influences, and modern Western architectural influences.

After exploring the area of Lunghsan Temple, rejoin your coach and transfer to C.K.S. Memorial Hall. En route to C.K.S. Memorial Hall, you will drive pass Presidential Square that is once the headquarters of the Japanese colonial administration in Taiwan. The building was declared a historic national monument in 1998.

C.K.S. Memorial Hall

Renamed the National Taiwan Democracy Memorial Hall, this white marble monument was built in honor of 'Generalissimo' Chiang Kai-shek to house the gigantic bronze statue of Taiwan's first president. The roof of this white marble structure is decorated with deep blue glass tiles, and the surrounding gardens have beautiful flowers year-round. An 89-step staircase on two sides leads to the upper level. The enormous ground floor hall features a museum where you can view exhibits showcasing Chiang's life.

After visiting C.K.S Memorial Hall, conclude the tour with a drive back to Keelung port.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion include: Taipei, Lungshan Temple, Presidential Square (Drive by), C.K.S. Memorial Hall

Note

Please note: At the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, an elevator is available to go up to the upper level. The tour sequence may vary. Poorly dressed visitors or those wearing slippers will be barred from entering the temple.