As 2025 unfolds, historic sites across Taiwan continue to reveal untold stories of resistance against Japanese colonial rule. From bullet-riddled artifacts to handwritten resistance plans, these locations serve as living classrooms for this year's visitors seeking to understand the island's complex past.
Baguashan: Ground Zero of Courage
The Baguashan Anti-Japanese Aggression Martyrs' Memorial Park in Changhua County stands as a powerful symbol of defiance. Local guides explain how in 1895, ‘Black Flag Army’ remnants and everyday residents transformed this hillside into a fortress, buying time for communities to organize resistance across the island.
Bones That Speak Volumes
The 1965 discovery of 679 sets of remains shocked modern residents of Taiwan. Forensic analysis confirmed these were fighters from the 1895 battle – ordinary farmers, merchants, and students who stood against imperial forces. Their memorial now hosts school groups studying cross-strait historical connections.
