Shilin Residence_Shilin Residence Park Introduction
The Shilin Official Residence Park covers an area of approximately 12.9 hectares. Its location adjacent to Zhongshan North Road allows for quick access to the Presidential Office, and it is surrounded by the Fushan Mountain Range. Due to its advantageous terrain and excellent geographical location, it has been used as the official residence of former President Chiang Kai-shek since 1950. Because of the residence's establishment here, nearby areas are strictly prohibited from reconstruction or new construction, allowing the park to maintain its natural landscape, filled with the sounds of insects and birds, and beautiful scenery, making it an ideal place for leisure and recreation in the suburbs. In 1996, the residence opened for the first time for citizens to enjoy horticulture and recreation. The Rose Garden is Madame Chiang's favorite garden; the romantic scenery of the Western-style garden is the most common spot for newlyweds' wedding photos; the Chinese garden features arched bridges, winding ponds, and flowing water, reminiscent of ancient Chinese courtyards. The park is mainly divided into an outdoor music platform, Rose Garden, themed garden area, inner garden, main hall, walking area, Western-style garden, Chinese garden, Kaige Hall, New Lan Pavilion, horticultural exhibition hall, and Ciyun Pavilion. Every March, nearly 100 species of about 2,000 roses bloom in Madame Chiang's favorite Rose Garden; the themed garden area and walking area are重点 exhibition areas for the annual chrysanthemum and tulip exhibitions; the Western and Chinese gardens showcase beautiful seasonal flower beds; New Lan Pavilion and horticultural exhibition hall regularly feature horticultural flower displays according to different seasons, welcoming visitors year-round with various flowers. Kaige Hall is where the Chiang family held worship and baptism. New Lan Pavilion, built in 1950, also known as Shou Pavilion, is a Chinese square-shaped building, serving as the venue for Chiang Kai-shek's birthday celebrations and various flower exhibitions. Ciyun Pavilion is a two-story square pavilion located on Fushan, built by the former president in memory of his mother. The Shilin Official Residence holds various flower exhibitions at the beginning and end of each year, such as tulip exhibitions, rose exhibitions, butterfly orchid exhibitions, and chrysanthemum exhibitions, with the chrysanthemum and tulip exhibitions being the most well-known. The chrysanthemum exhibition, held in November to December, is one of the famous flower exhibitions in Taiwan. Using large chrysanthemums, shaped chrysanthemums, small chrysanthemums, and chrysanthemum herbaceous plants paired with different themed floral displays and landscape designs each year, the Shilin Official Residence transforms into a large garden, attracting tourists from all over. The tulip exhibition occurs every February after the Lunar New Year, showcasing over 100,000 tulips from the Netherlands and Japan, along with exotic installation art, creating an experience akin to being abroad. The Shilin Official Residence Park officially opened to the public in 1996, and to provide better services, it continuously enhances its planning and construction, becoming another leisure spot in Taipei City.
