Grass Mountain Chateau


The Grass Mountain Chateau is a former residence of late President of the Republic of China Chiang Kai-shek located in Beitou District, Taipei, Taiwan in Yangmingshan National Park.

History

Empire of Japan

The Grass Mountain Chateau, a building surrounded by a partially landscaped 7,200 square-metre site, was built by Taiwan Sugar Corporation in 1920. The chateau served as a recreational facility for employees and hosted Japanese royalty. Emperor Hirohito of Japan personally visited the residence and stayed there for 1 hour and 50 minutes, according to historical records.

Republic of China / Taiwan

When in 1949 the Republic of China government fled from Nanking to Taipei in Taiwan, Kuomintang leader Chiang Kai-shek claimed the chateau as his first official residence. The site served as Chiang's main residence for a year until a mansion closer to central Taipei could be completed. After the shift of Taiwan society to modern democracy in the 1990s, the chateau and its grounds served as a historical museum and art exhibition centre open to the public.
On 2001 April 7 at around 12:22 AM a large fire engulfed the main halls of the chateau. The Yangmingshan Fire Department had to call in other engines nearby Shilin and Shipai. The fire was put under control at around 1:20 AM but caused widespread damage. Taipei City officials reported the cause as arson, but stopped short of speculating that the motive may have been political. Three days later the Taipei City Department of Cultural Affairs announced that the site would be restored at a cost of $US900,000. On 29 December 2011, the chateau reopened.