Grand Hotel Taipei Introduction
The Grand Hotel, founded in 1952 (the 41st year of the Republic of China), is a fourteen-story palace-style building that majestically rises at the waist of Yuanshan, facing the Keelung River in the front, backed by Yangmingshan in the rear, looking towards Songshan in the east, and gazing at Tamsui in the west. The hotel's impressive exterior, with its red pillars and golden roof tiles, complements the luxurious classical atmosphere, conveying the beauty of Chinese art and making it one of the iconic landmarks of Taipei, renowned worldwide. It is the best choice for both domestic and international visitors looking for accommodations or business conference venues. The beauty of Yuanshan lies in its grand Chinese-style architecture and its magnificent classical charm, while its mystery stems from its legendary historical colors and secret path tales. The tranquility of Yuanshan is found in its distance from the hustle and bustle and its proximity to elegant scenic spots. The century-old golden dragon was originally a copper dragon placed in front of the Taiwan Shrine, and it was specially preserved in its original form when the Grand Hotel expanded its facilities, perfectly presented in the Golden Dragon Restaurant. During its renovation in 76 years, it was plated with 24K gold. Notably, this coiled dragon has only three claws, differing from the traditional four-claw or five-claw dragons in China. The plum blossom caisson in the center of the Grand Hotel lobby ceiling features a plum blossom design, with five golden dragons surrounding a pearl, symbolizing "five blessings arriving at the door." Though there are 23 golden dragons and 16 phoenixes surrounding the caisson, the number "3" plays on the homophone for "rise," indicating continuous progress, while "16" accompanied by the large plum blossom stands for "prosper," conveying the meaning of continuous success. The plum blossom caisson symbolizes the auspiciousness of dragon and phoenix, carrying profound significance. The flying eaves and bracket sets on the roof reflect the ancient civilization of China. A row of crouching beasts rests atop the projecting flying eaves, while the tail end between the ridge and the eaves is adorned with a decorative beast-shaped tile called a "chiwei." Below the roof, the magnificent yet exquisitely powerful bracket structure is one of the most remarkable aspects of Chinese architecture. The large floor-to-ceiling glass windows at the main entrance of the Grand Hotel are elegant and upright, but upon closer inspection of the patterns painted on the doors, one can discover six ancient characters hidden within, "Long Live the Republic of China." This recalls the historical context surrounding the reconstruction of the Grand Hotel, showcasing the transition of the times and the designer's creative ingenuity. At the stone steps leading to the Stone God Temple, a large stone tablet stands with the cursive script handwritten by Mr. Yu Youren, featuring the vigorous four characters "Jiantan Shengji" (Sword Lake Scenic Spot). Through various verification processes, these four characters express that the entire Yuanshan area is a sacred place, which is why it has maintained a prestigious status for a century.
