Taipei, Taiwan (April 12, 2024)

On April 3rd, a 7.4 magnitude earthquake hit Taiwan killing 18 and injuring 1,100. Even though the earthquake epicenter was 100 miles south of Taipei, strong shaking and aftershocks were felt in Taipei. We, however, didn’t see any evidence of earthquake damage.

National Palace Museum

The permanent collection in the National Palace Museum contains 700,000 priceless Chinese art, spanning 8,000 years of Chinese history. Our guide adeptly steered us through the extensive collection pointing out the most treasured artifacts and artworks.

This “Jadeite Cabbage” is considered to be the “most famous masterpiece” of the entire museum. It’s only 7.4 by 3.6 inches, not much larger than a human hand. Carved from a single piece of half-white, half-green jadeite. Notice the wonderful camouflaged katydid within the leaves at the top.

This 19th century sphere was carved from a single solid piece of elephant ivory. There are 18 concentric balls inside, and each ball moves freely!
Mind-blowing!!

This famous “Meat-Shaped Stone” is made from banded jasper which accumulates in layers over many years. Bears resemblance to braised pork belly (Dongpo pork braised in soy sauce). The carver stained the the top to look like red pork rind. Ch’ing Dynasty (1644-1911)

“Mao Gong ding” bronze tri-pod vessel is over 2700 years old. Famous for the 500 characters inscription on the inside; said to be the longest inscription of its kind today.

Scroll painting of peonies and insects by Qing Julian (1811-1889), a painter and calligrapher in the late Qing Dynasty.

Lungshan Temple

Lungshan Temple (1738) is a Buddhist temple, home of the gilded Goddess of Mercy, Guanyin.

National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

The National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall was built in honor of Chiang Kai-shek (1887-1975), the former President of the Republic of China (ROC) in mainland China (1928-1949). After his defeat in the Chinese Civil War by the Chinese Communist Party in 1949, he led the ROC on Taiwan until his death in 1975.

Statue of Chiang Kai-shek in the Memorial Hall

National Revolutionary Martyrs’ Shrine

The National Revolutionary Martyrs’ Shrine is dedicated to the war dead of the Republic of China, and contains the spirit tablets of about 390,000 persons killed in various wars and other engagements. Even though the shrine is located in Taiwan, most of the soldiers killed were born on mainland China.

Jiufen

Jiufen is a coastal town 35 miles from Taipei, built on a mountain slope. It was once a mining town after gold was discovered there in 1893. Now, though, it is a popular tourist destination due in part to its resemblance to the downtown in the anime movie “Spirited Away” (2001) by the animator Hayao Miyazaki. Even though Miyazaki denied that Jiufen was the model for his film. The steep narrow streets are lined with food and souvenir stalls, and traditional teahouses.

Yehliu Geopark

Yehliu is a small peninsula off the northeast coast of Taiwan. The Yehliu Geopark is a tourist destination due to the unique rock formations that resemble faces, ice cream cones and giant sandals. The most selfies are taken in front of the “Queen’s Head” which looks like an Egyptian Queen.

2 responses to “Taipei, Taiwan (April 12, 2024)”

Morgan Craft

June 5, 2024

Such vivid imagery. I so want to go!

Mary Nonamaker

June 6, 2024

Fantastic jade, bronze and ivory carvings!
Hope we get to visit the National museum this December!Longstanding Temple looks fascinating acting too!