The National Theater and National Concert Hall stand on the east and west sides of Liberty Square respectively, both white buildings in the Chinese palace style and the highest-standard performing arts venues in Taiwan. They host music, theater, traditional opera, and international top-tier performing arts groups year-round, and also feature a Performing Arts Library and an outdoor plaza that are free to enter.
Highlights of the National Theater and Concert Hall
The two halls were designed by architect Yang Cho-cheng and officially opened in 1987. Their exteriors follow traditional Chinese palace layouts, forming a symmetrical composition with the main Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall building opposite. The National Theater's main auditorium seats approximately 1,500 and has a proscenium stage suited to opera, drama, and dance. The National Concert Hall's main auditorium seats approximately 2,000 and focuses on classical music performance, with acoustics designed to shoebox-hall specifications.
The basement level of the two halls houses a restaurant, a Performing Arts Library, and a bookstore — all open to general visitors even on non-performance days. The outer plaza regularly hosts outdoor arts events and pop-up performances, some of which are free, making it a composite space for leisure and cultural experience. Both venues also offer guided backstage tours that can be booked in advance for access to areas not normally open to the public.
How to make the most of your visit
Practical information
Getting there and time needed
- Take the MRT Tamsui–Xinyi Line to Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall Station; the plaza is about a 5-minute walk from the exit.
- For ticketing information and performance schedules, visit the National Theater and Concert Hall's official ticketing website. Dates and curtain times vary by program.
- On performance days, arriving 30 minutes early is recommended to complete entry procedures. Some performances do not allow latecomers to be seated once the show has begun.
Nearby connections
- The Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall plaza is adjacent; you can stroll the grounds before or after a performance or dine in the nearby Yongkang Street area.
- Zhongshan South Road has several bookshops and restaurants along the stretch, suitable for afternoon tea or dinner before an evening performance.
Source: National Theater and Concert Hall official information and public architectural records. Photos to be replaced with Dio's own shots.