Grand Hotel Introduction
The Grand Hotel Taipei was established in 1952, the 41st year of the Republic of China. This fourteen-story palace-style building stands majestically at the waist of Yuanshan, facing the Keelung River in front, backed by Yangmingshan, overlooking Songshan to the east, and Tamsui to the west. The hotel’s striking red columns and golden roof create a grand atmosphere, reflecting the beauty of Chinese art and making it one of Taipei's iconic landmarks, known worldwide. It is the best choice for accommodation and business meetings for both domestic and international visitors. The beauty of Yuanshan lies in its magnificent Chinese architecture and luxurious classical style, while its mystery is imbued with legendary historical colors and tales of secret paths. The tranquility of Yuanshan is found in its distance from the hustle and bustle, complemented by elegant scenic spots nearby. The century-old Golden Dragon originally stood in front of the Taiwan Shrine; it was preserved in its original form when the Grand Hotel added new halls and is perfectly presented in the Golden Dragon Restaurant. During its renovation in 1976, it was gilded with 24K gold, and uniquely, this coiled dragon has only three claws, differing from the traditional four or five-clawed dragons of China. In the center of the Grand Hotel Taipei's lobby ceiling is a plum blossom-shaped caisson. Five golden dragons circle a dragon pearl at the center of the plum blossom, symbolizing "Five Blessings Arriving." Although there are 23 golden dragons and 16 phoenixes encircling the caisson, the number "3" is phonetically similar to "growth," indicating continuous progress, while "16" aligns with the large plum blossom for "prosperity," suggesting an auspicious journey ahead. The plum blossom caisson symbolizes the harmonious union of dragons and phoenixes, carrying profound meaning. The flying eaves and dougong structure of the roof reflect the ancient civilization of China. A row of crouching beasts perches atop the protruding flying eaves, while the decorative ridge beast, made of tiles, is placed between the main ridge and the vertical ridge. Below the roof, the luxurious yet delicately powerful dougong structure showcases one of the most remarkable features of Chinese architecture. The large floor-to-ceiling glass windows at the main entrance of the Grand Hotel Taipei are elegant and dignified. However, a closer observation reveals six ancient characters hidden in the patterns on the door: "Long Live the Republic of China," reflecting the temporal context during the reconstruction of the Grand Hotel and the thoughtful creativity of the designer. The large stone tablet at the entrance of the Shigandang archway bears the cursive script penned by Mr. Yu Youren, with the powerful four characters "Jiantan Shengji." This inscription has been verified as conveying the idea that the entire Yuanshan area is a sacred place, which has maintained its esteemed status for over a century.
