Yat-Sen Park

The Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Park (逸仙公園) and Memorial House (國父史蹟紀念館) is a small complex built to commemorate Mr. Sun Yat-sen, the statesman who was known as the ‘Father of a Nation’. A short walk from Taipei station, outside of the plum viewing season it’s a surprisingly unvisited place considering its convenient location in the center of Taipei. Pop over and have a look if you have some time before your train.

The lack of crowds makes the traditional garden an excellent place to take photos. The garden houses a fine selection of plum trees, koi pond, curved stone bridges and other classical features you would expect from such a Japanese garden. During the Japanese rule of Taiwan, it actually used to be the site of a famous fine dining restaurant and hotel, and was named Umeyashiki, after the Japanese word for plum trees.

Not to be confused with the Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall, Sun Yat-Sen stayed here during one of his visits after the 1911 Xinhai Revolution that overthrew the Qing Dynasty. A revered figure on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, he was one of the most important revolutionaries and thinkers of Asia in the 20th century. The wooden house in the center of the park was the place that he stayed in, and is still decked out with tatami floors and old ornaments from his visit here.

How to get there

The Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Park is a short walk from Taipei Main Station, which is on the red and green lines of the Taipei Metro. Make your way through this mega complex of a station to exit M2, then walk down the road (you’ll see the expressway above) and you’ll soon see the traditional wall of the park. The entrance is around the corner on the main road.

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