Grand Hotel, Taipei

The Grand Hotel, situated in the Zhongshan District, is a renowned landmark with a rich history. It was established back in May 1952, and the construction of its main building was completed on October 10, 1973. This iconic establishment is owned by the Duen-Mou Foundation of Taiwan, a non-profit organization, and has had the honor of hosting numerous foreign dignitaries visiting Taipei over the years.

The main building of the hotel is a remarkable example of Chinese classical architecture, standing impressively at a height of 87 meters (285 feet). It held the distinction of being the tallest building in Taiwan from 1973 to 1981.

After Chiang Kai-shek's 1949 retreat to Taiwan, a lack of five-star hotels in Taipei posed challenges for accommodating foreign ambassadors. To solve this, Chiang and his wife, Madame Chiang (Soong Mei-ling), decided to build a luxurious hotel on the old Taiwan Hotel grounds atop Yuanshan Mountain. This site once housed the Taiwan Grand Shrine during Japanese colonial rule. Chiang chose a Chinese palace-style design to showcase Chinese culture and luxury to the West, with architect Yang Cho-Cheng in charge of the plans. were entrusted to Yang Cho-Cheng, an architect based in Taipei.

The hotel's roof, adorned with vermilion columns, serves as a prominent symbol of Chinese architecture and culture. Inside, the hotel boasts an impressive collection of objets d'art, wall panels, paintings, carvings, and noteworthy dining establishments. Throughout the various structures within the hotel, one can frequently find intricate dragon motifs, earning the establishment the moniker "The Dragon Palace." Additionally, lion and plum flower motifs also feature prominently within the hotel's decor. Each of the eight guest levels represents a different Chinese dynasty, as evident in the murals and overall decor.