Keelung Zhongzheng Park

Date Captured

August 19th, 2023 at 07:50 UTC

Camera

DC-S5M2

Lens

LUMIX S 20-60mm F3.5-5.6

Aperture

ƒ / 6.3

Shutter Speed

1/1250 sec

Focal Length

22.0 mm

ISO

100

Exposure Value

15.6 EV

Download

3600 × 2400

The hill on the east side of Keelung Harbour, formerly known as Xiaojilongshan (小基隆山), first opened to the public in 1933, when Ishizaka Sōsaku (石坂莊作) built a private garden there and donated it to the city. The municipal government rebuilt the grounds in 1950 and named them for Chiang Kai-shek. The park climbs the slope in three terraces: the lowest holds Keelung Martyrs’ Shrine, converted from Keelung Shinto Shrine, along with sports facilities and children’s rides scattered among the trees; the Zhupu Altar occupies the middle terrace; and Dafo Monastery (大佛禪寺), a four-storey complex consecrated in 1969, crowns the summit. The 22.5 meter white statue of Guanyin on the monastery plaza was the tallest Buddhist image in Taiwan when it was unveiled, hollow inside and fitted with a stairway with viewing apertures in the eyes, and the plaza itself commands the most complete view of the harbour and city centre available from anywhere in Keelung.