228 Peace Memorial Park — Attraction in Taipei

The 228 Peace Memorial Park in Taipei holds a unique place in the city's history. While it serves as a solemn reminder of the tragic 228 Incident, it also boasts a lesser-known past as a significant gathering place for Taipei's LGBTQ community.

A Park Steeped in History

The park's serene atmosphere and well-maintained gardens belie its turbulent past. Once known as Taipei New Park, it served as a backdrop for the events of the February 28th Incident, a pivotal moment in Taiwan's history. Today, the park's monuments and museums offer a comprehensive look at this period and its lasting impact.

A Legacy of LGBTQ History

While the park's historical significance is undeniable, it's also interwoven with the story of Taipei's LGBTQ community. Before the rise of online spaces and designated bars, 228 Peace Memorial Park, particularly in the evenings, became a crucial gathering spot for gay men. The park's landscaping, with its secluded areas, offered a space for connection and community in a time when homosexuality wasn't openly accepted. Please note that the park is still a cruising spot for the LGBTQ community and supporters.

The Park Today

The park's role as a central LGBTQ hub has diminished somewhat. However, its historical significance for the community remains. Rainbow accents on the park gates during Pride Month serve as a subtle reminder of this past.

Exploring the Park:

Sobering History: Immerse yourself in the park's historical significance by visiting the 228 Memorial Museum and exploring the surrounding monuments.

Tranquil Escape: Take a stroll through the park's serene gardens and enjoy the calming atmosphere.

A Glimpse into the Past: While the park's role in Taipei's LGBTQ scene has shifted, it still holds weight for the community's history.

Overall

228 Peace Memorial Park offers a unique blend of historical significance and a fascinating link to Taipei's LGBTQ community. Whether you're interested in Taiwan's history or want a peaceful green space in the heart of the city, the park is...

Informations provided by Taiwan Tourism Bureau :

Taipei 228 Peace Park was called Taipei Park at first and then changed to New Park in the past. The park was established in the Qing Dynasty and is the oldest park in Taipei. After World War II, the KMT government took over Taiwan. However, economic monopoly and corruption of the government led to civil resistance. On February 27, 1947, people gathered in front of the police department but were shot by the soldiers. The next day, people gathered in the Taipei Park and broadcast the movement at the radio station. The KMT government used military force to restrain the protesters and arrested alleged participants afterward. In order to relieve this historic pain, the park was renamed to 228 Peace Park in 1996.

In order to remember the innocent people sacrificed in the event, a monument was set up in the park. Creator of the monument, Cheng Tze-Tsai, also suffered during the movement. He had studied in the USA in 1962 and learned the importance of democracy and freedom. Thus, when he came back to Taiwan, he decided to improve Taiwan human rights and independence. Cheng even tried to assassinate President Chiang Ching-Kuo when he visited the USA. Cheng became an exile for over 20 years ever since. The monument has detailed description of the 228 event in 1947, hoping that people can learn from this...

Good place for strolling around and walk peacefully. 228 Peace Memorial Park.

The park was originally established in 1900 as Taihoku New Park (臺北新公園; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Tâi-oân Sin-kong-hn̂g) during the Japanese colonial period, on former temple grounds. It was the first European-style urban park in Taiwan, placed on the grounds of the Governor-General's Office. In 1930, Taiwan's Japanese authorities established a radio station at the site designed by Kuriyama Shunichi (栗山俊一). The station initially housed the Taihoku Broadcasting Bureau, an arm of the Government-General Propaganda Bureau's Information Office. The following year, the Taiwan Broadcast Association was formed to handle island-wide broadcasts. The Taihoku Park radio station became the center of broadcast activity for the Association. In 1935, it was one of the sites used for The Taiwan Exposition: In Commemoration of the First Forty Years of Colonial Rule. After the handover of Taiwan from Japan to the Republic of China in 1945, the park was subsequently renamed Taipei New Park by the government.[citation needed] They renamed the broadcasting agency the Taiwan Broadcasting Company. The station became the primary broadcast organ of the Kuomintang government...