1,600 Pandas Took Over Chiang Kai Sek Memorial Hall

Chiang Kai-shek (CKS) Memorial Hall is located in the heart of Taipei City, and it is easy accessible by metro and walk. The area is 250,000 square meters and it is the most popular attraction in the city for foreign tourists.

From March 14 to March 30, 1,600 pandas were displayed at the plaza of Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall.  They were initially displayed at the city hall plaza which is not far away. These pandas have been traveling all over the world since 2008 - more than 20 countries so far.  The event is funded and sponsored by WWF

So why 1,600 Pandas? The number was chosen to remind people that there are only 1,600 giant pandas remaining in the wild, who were also joined by 200 papier-mache Formosan black bears in an effort to raise awareness of the endemic Taiwan species.  Of the 1,600 of Pandas in the world, three live in Taipei Zoo in case you want to meet the real ones.

Who is Chiang Kai-shek?

Chinese military and political leader Chiang Kai-shek joined the Chinese Nationalist Party (known as the Kuomintang, or KMT) in 1918. Succeeding party founder Sun Yat-sen as KMT leader in 1925, he expelled Chinese communists from the party and led a successful unification of China. 

In 1937, Japan launched a full-scale invasion of China. When the United States came into the war against Japan in 1941, China became one of the Allied Powers. As Chiang's position within China weakened, his status abroad grew and in November 1943 he travelled to Cairo to meet US President Franklin D Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. His wife, Soong Mei-ling, travelled with him and became famous in the west as Madame Chiang.

In 1946, civil war broke out between the KMT and the Communists. In 1949, the Communists were victorious, establishing the People's Republic of China. Chiang and the remaining KMT forces fled to the island of Taiwan to established a government in exile which he led for the next 25 years. This government continued to be recognized by many countries as the legitimate government of China, and Taiwan controlled China's seat in the United Nations until the end of Chiang's life. He died on 5 April 1975.

About the CKS Memorial

The architecture of Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall is inspired by Tiantan in Beijing. The four sides of the structure are similar to those of the pyramids in Egypt. The material is white marble. The roofs are decorated with deep-blue glass as part of the reflection of blue sky and bright sun. It adds a touch of grandeur. The garden is planted with red flowers. As a whole, the colors of blue, white and red express the National Flag and the spirit of freedom, equality and brotherhood.

There is a change of the guard ceremony that happens hourly at the memorial hall, which is the white building at the centre of the square. The change of guard ceremony is quite impressive and you should probably plan to go earlier to secure a good spot.

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Wednesday, April 30, 2014  No comment

Taiwan's Annual Lantern Festival in Pingxi

It's that time of the year again, sending away 100,000 to 200,000 candle-lit lantern into a full moolit-sky with a dreams and hopes written on them.

People of Taiwan celebrates Lunar New Year for 2 full weeks.  Every year thousands of locals and tourists join the festival at Pingxi, a small rural town in the eastern part of New Taipei City in northern Taiwan for one of the largest celebration of the year.

You can buy one fully prepped lantern between $3 - $7. They are made out of oiled rice paper, sheepskin, bamboo filaments, silk or satin with a large candle situated in the bottom center.  Once you buy one for yourself, write your wishes and goals before lighting it up and launch it into the sky.

It's a truly breathtaking view and experience to be there in person to see thousands of bright colored lanterns slowly ascending into the night sky backdrop.



For 2014, the event is taking a place on three separate days with the last one being the highlight of the festival.

Feb. 3 - Jing Ton Elementary School
Feb. 8 - Pingxi Junior High School
Feb. 14 - Shifen Sky Lantern Squre

Hotel Deals in Taiwan

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Thursday, February 06, 2014  No comment

Experience the Magic of Nature at Yehliu Geopark, Taiwan

Yeliu is a cape of about 1,700 meters long formed by Datun Mountain reaching into the sea. When overlooked from above, the place is like a giant turtle submerging into the sea. Thus, it is also called "Yeliu Turtle".

"The Queen's Head" pictured above is one of the representative piece of art carved by the nature, it resembles a queen of ancient civilization.

There are many other amazing figures at the park such as Bean Curd, Dragon Head, Elephant Rocks, Beehive and Fairy Shoe along with many other artistically carved potholes.

Some of the rocks look similar to the ones at Arches National Park in Utah, but the process behind creating such a display was quiet different.  These rocks at Yehliu were formed as geological forces pushed Datun Mountain out of the ocean.

The place is also suitable for geological study and field research.  You can also visit a marine world in Yeliu. It is the first marine center in the country for exhibition of ocean evolution. It has the best sightseeing tunnel under sea, showing about 200 rare fish species and marine lives.

There are excellent shows of whales, dolphins and seals, such as diving, ballet on water and other talent shows. There is a stadium with 3,500 seats. On holidays, the place attracts many visitors for the show. When you visit Yeliu, don't forget to visit sea world and feel the marine wanders.

Yehliu Geopark is easily accessible from Taipei; it takes about one hour of ride on a bus from Taipei West Bus Station Terminal A.

If  you want to learn more about Yeh Liu Geopark, check out the official website.

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Wednesday, February 05, 2014  No comment