Grand Hotel Taipei Introduction
The Grand Hotel, established in 1952 (the 41st year of the Republic of China), is a majestic fourteen-story palace-like building located at the foothills of Yuanshan. It overlooks the Keelung River in the front, stands against Yangmingshan in the back, faces Songshan to the east, and gazes out towards Tamsui to the west. The hotel's grand red columns and golden tiles create a magnificent façade that emphasizes a sumptuous classical atmosphere, conveying the beauty of Chinese art and marking it as one of the iconic landmarks in Taipei, renowned worldwide. The Grand Hotel is the best choice for both tourists and business meetings from home and abroad. The beauty of Yuanshan lies in its majestic Chinese architecture and lavish classical elegance. Its mystery stems from its legendary historical background and tales of secret paths. The tranquility of Yuanshan is found in its distance from the hustle and bustle, while being near charming scenic views. Originally, the century-old golden dragon was just a bronze dragon placed in front of the Taiwan Shrine. During the expansion of the Grand Hotel, the original form was preserved and is now perfectly showcased in the Golden Dragon Restaurant, where it was coated with 24K gold during renovations in 1987. Notably, this coiling dragon has only three claws, a departure from the traditional four-clawed or five-clawed dragons of Chinese culture. The plum blossom coffered ceiling in the lobby's center features a plum blossom-shaped coffer adorned by five golden dragons circling a dragon pearl, symbolizing "Five Blessings Arriving at the Door." Surrounding the coffer, there are 23 golden dragons and 16 phoenixes; the number three is a homophone for "rise," implying progress, while the number 16, in conjunction with the large plum blossom, suggests "prosperity." The plum blossom coffered ceiling symbolizes the auspicious pairing of dragon and phoenix and carries profound meaning. The flying eaves and dougong brackets of the roof echo China's ancient civilization. Above the ridge, a row of crouching beasts rests on the protruding eaves, with chihui (a decorative roof ornament made of tiles) positioned between the main and vertical ridges; below the roof, the elaborate yet strong dougong structure stands out as one of the most remarkable aspects of Chinese architecture. The large glass doors at the main entrance of the Grand Hotel are elegant and proper. However, upon closer inspection, one can discover six hidden ancient characters inscribed on the door, which read "Long Live the Republic of China." This references the historical context during the reconstruction of the Grand Hotel, showcasing the designer's ingenuity and the transition of time. At the entrance to the Stone Gate, a large stone tablet stands with four powerful characters inscribed in cursive by Yu Youren, reading "Jiantan Shengji." After thorough verification, it has been confirmed that these four characters express the idea of Yuanshan as a sacred place, which has upheld the Grand Hotel’s revered status for over a century.
