The Grand Hotel

The Grand Hotel was founded in the 41st year of the Republic of China (1952 AD). This fourteen-story palace-style building majestically stands on the slopes of Yuanshan, facing the Keelung River in the front, backed by Yangmingshan, looking towards Songshan in the east, and Danshui in the west. The hotel's grand exterior, with its red pillars and golden tiles, complements its magnificent classical ambiance, conveying the artistic beauty of China. It is one of Taipei's iconic landmarks, renowned worldwide, and an excellent choice for both domestic and international visitors seeking accommodation, tourism, or business meetings. The beauty of Yuanshan lies in its majestic Chinese-style architecture and opulent classical grandeur. Its mystery stems from its legendary historical background and tales of secret passages. Its serene tranquility comes from its secluded location away from the hustle and bustle, and its proximity to charming and picturesque scenery. The Hundred-Year Golden Dragon was originally a bronze dragon placed in front of the Taiwan Shrine. When the Grand Hotel expanded its premises, its original form was specially preserved and perfectly displayed in the Golden Dragon Restaurant. During renovations in 1987, it was plated with 24K gold. What is particularly unique about this coiled dragon is that it has only three claws, differing from the traditional four-clawed or five-clawed dragons found in China. In the center of the Grand Hotel's lobby ceiling, there is a plum blossom-shaped caisson ceiling. At the heart of the plum blossom, five golden dragons encircle a dragon pearl, symbolizing "five blessings arriving at your door." Around the caisson ceiling, there are 23 golden dragons and 16 phoenixes. The number "3" (from 23) is a homophone for "rise" (升), signifying continuous advancement. The number "16" accompanied by the large plum blossom (梅花) and "發" (prosperity) implies "prosperity all the way." Thus, the plum blossom caisson ceiling symbolizes auspiciousness with dragons and phoenixes, holding profound meaning. The flying eaves and dougong brackets of the roof eloquently express China's ancient civilization. A row of squatting beasts perches atop the projecting flying eaves on the hip ridges. Between the main ridge and the hip ridges are *chiwei*, tile-made animal-shaped ornaments. Below the roof, the magnificent yet intricately powerful dougong bracket system represents the most astonishing essence of Chinese architecture. The large floor-to-ceiling glass doors at the Grand Hotel's main entrance are elegant and dignified. However, upon closer inspection of the patterns painted on them, one can discover six hidden ancient characters that read 'Long Live the Republic of China.' Reflecting on the historical context during the hotel's reconstruction, this reveals a transformation in the times and the ingenious creativity of the designer. On the large stone monument erected at the stone step entrance in front of the archway, there are four bold characters in calligraphic cursive script, 'Sword Pool Scenic Spot,' personally penned by Mr. Yu You-ren, demonstrating vigorous and powerful brushwork. After extensive verification, these four characters convey the meaning that the entire Yuanshan area is a sacred place. This has contributed to Yuanshan's lofty status and enduring popularity for a century.