Perched in Taroko National Park on the island of Taiwan, the Taroko Battle Monument stands as a powerful tribute to the Truku people who rose up in 1914 against Japanese colonial forces.
From June 10 to July 30, 1914, roughly 2,350 Truku fighters armed with arrows, spears and machetes took on nearly 21,000 Japanese troops. Through guerrilla tactics—luring the enemy into dense forests, setting traps and striking from hiding—they inflicted 122 fatalities and wounded 254, including Governor-General Sakuma Samata.
Designed by a local Truku artisan and unveiled in 2014, the monument’s eye-shaped top symbolizes vigilance, while its shaft of 22 spheres represents the unity of all 22 Truku tribes. A marble base records the names and deeds of those who sacrificed their lives in defense of their homeland.
Today, more than a century after the battle and eleven years since the monument’s completion, it draws travelers, digital nomads and history buffs alike. Visitors can reflect on the resilience of the Truku people while exploring the park’s marble gorges and sustainable ecotrails.
As we mark this year’s 111th anniversary of the Taroko Battle, the monument serves as a vivid reminder to young global citizens of the enduring power of community and resistance in the face of overwhelming odds.
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Taroko Monument honors Taiwan's resistance against Japanese aggression
cgtn.com
