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As a leader in the overthrow of the Qing dynasty, Dr. Sun Yat-sen (孫逸仙) is considered widely to be the founder of modern China and is well-respected in both mainland China and Taiwan. Although he was born in south China — or possibly Hawaii should (likely fake) paperwork be believed — and spent most of his life in exile outside of the Chinese sphere of influence, Taiwan formally considers him to be the "national founding father" of the country.

The National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall (國立國父紀念館) mostly is an events center and is home to the world famous Shen Yun dance group and symphony orchestra. There actually are four Shen Yun groups, the original in Taipei and three affiliated touring groups (two in the US and one in Europe); so if you can't manage to fit in a performance in Taipei, perhaps you can do so closer to home.

As a tourist attraction, the building itself is modest and is placed in what amounts to a massive, unpleasant car park full of tour buses. Out of respect for Sun Yat-sen, try to overlook the hordes of selfie-stick wielding tourists and make your way inside for a small permanent exhibit on the man himself as well as a collection of modern art galleries upstairs that are updated regularly. There also is a popular changing of the guard ceremony every hour on the hour inside. Try not to get hit in the face with a selfie-stick.

When you get tired of the scrum, retreat to the restful Zhongshan Park (中山公園), sometimes spelled Chunshan, in the southwest corner of the facility. Centered around Lake Tswei (翠湖) — or Green Lake — and hosting a mix of quieter, contemplative tourists and neighborhood residents doing exercises and walking the family dog and the like, it's much nicer than standing in the asphalt parking lot.

Walk to Songshan Cultural and Creative Park

Another must-see attraction — which travelgasm.com has grouped with the National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall because it is a short walk away and of similar cultural character — is the Songshan Cultural and Creative Park (松山文創園區). We've mapped out an efficient route between the two attractions that minimizes the time you have to spend on large unpleasant streets in the area in favor of smaller ones that are more friendly for walking.

First opened in 2012 in a cluster of renovated buildings formerly housing a 1937 tobacco factory and with the goal of becoming the "Creative Hub of Taipei," the architecturally interesting Songshan Cultural and Creative Park is a delightful mix of museum, performance venue, art gallery, and other creative pursuits with a variety of locally designed creative gifts to buy. Although it's a similar idea to the National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, it's much younger and hipper. There is another pleasant lake on the grounds, too, albeit one that is an "Eco Park" and intentionally less manicured than Zhongshan Park.

Where to Eat Nearby

To eat nearby, the neighborhood to the west — wedged between the Cultural and Creative Park and a large high school — is a good option with walkable alleyways of small, trendy, and creative restaurants at mostly inexpensive prices. From Ba Fang Yun Ji (八方雲集) for Taiwanese dumplings to Patisserie ALEX for French-inspired coffee and dessert, this neighborhood has a wide range of options all times of day (although note that both the National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall and Songshan Cultural and Creative Park close at 6 PM).

How to Get Here: Take the Blue Line (Line 5, Bannan Line) to Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall Station (國父紀念館), Exit 4. If you walk to the Songshan Cultural and Creative Park, the nearest metro station to leave is Taipei City Hall (市政府), Exit 1.

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