Shilin Residence_ Shilin Residence Park Introduction
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 topography and excellent geographical position, it has served as the residence of former President Chiang Kai-shek since 1950. Because the official residence is located here, nearby areas are strictly prohibited from redevelopment and new construction, allowing the park to maintain its original natural scenery, filled with the sounds of insects and birds, making it an excellent place for leisure and recreation close to the city. In 1996, the residence was opened to the public for gardening appreciation and recreation. The Rose Garden is Madame Chiang's favorite garden; the romantic scenery of the Western-style garden is a popular spot for couples' wedding photos; the Chinese garden features arched bridges, winding ponds, and flowing water, giving visitors the feeling of being in an ancient Chinese courtyard. The park is primarily divided into an open-air music stage, a rose garden, themed gardens, an inner garden, the main building, a walking area, a Western-style garden, a Chinese garden, the Kaige Hall, the New Lanting Pavilion, the Horticultural Exhibition Hall, and the Ciyun Pavilion. Every March, nearly 100 varieties and about 2,000 rose blooms can be admired in Madame Chiang's favorite Rose Garden; the themed gardens and walking areas are key exhibition areas for the annual Chrysanthemum and Tulip Exhibitions; beautiful seasonal flowerbeds can be enjoyed in both the Western and Chinese gardens; the New Lanting Pavilion and Horticultural Exhibition Hall also host periodic gardening and floral exhibitions based on different seasons. Every year, various flowers take turns to welcome visitors throughout the year. The Kaige Hall is where the Chiang family held worship and baptism. The New Lanting Pavilion, built in 1950, also known as the Shou Pavilion, is a square Chinese-style structure where Chiang Kai-shek celebrated his birthday and hosted various floral exhibitions. The Ciyun Pavilion, built on Fushan, is a two-story square pavilion constructed by the former President in memory of his mother. The Shilin Official Residence hosts several floral exhibitions at the beginning and end of each year, such as the Tulip Exhibition, Rose Exhibition, Butterfly Orchid Exhibition, and Chrysanthemum Exhibition, with the most famous being the Chrysanthemum and Tulip exhibitions, which create a colorful display with flowers and park landscaping. The Chrysanthemum Exhibition in November to December is one of the most renowned flower exhibitions in Taiwan. Through a combination of large chrysanthemums, shaped chrysanthemums, small chrysanthemums, and other chrysanthemum family flowers, along with different themed displays each year, the Shilin Official Residence is transformed into a large garden that attracts tourists from all over to admire. The Tulip Exhibition takes place every February, after the Spring Festival, where over 100,000 tulips from the Netherlands and Japan are displayed, accompanied by exotic installation art that makes visitors feel as if they are abroad. The Shilin Official Residence Park officially opened to the public in 1996, and to provide better service, it actively strengthens various arrangements and construction planning, becoming another leisure spot for the public in Taipei City.
