2-28 Peace Park

Lonely Planet review

At first glance the lovely 2-28 Peace Park doesn't seem more significant than any of the other dozen or so parks in Taipei. There's a band performance stage, some lovely shrines and pavilions, paths and playgrounds. But there is a certain air of solemnity to this place, for it is dedicated to the memory of a massacre that began on 28 February, 1947 (hence the 2-28), an event which heralded the start of Taiwan's martial-law era.

In the centre of the park stands the memorial itself, a steepled sculpture surrounded by three enormous cubes turned on their corners. The memorial is surrounded by a moat that is crossed by a bridge. In the early mornings, the park is a good place to watch people practising taichi and you can join in if you're so inclined. At night, it's said that 2-28 park is a popular cruising ground for gay men. This park is home to both the 2-28 Memorial Museum and the National Taiwan Museum.