Grand Hotel Taipei is a palace-style hotel on the slope of Jiantan Mountain, rebuilt in its current form in 1973 with a 14-story, 87-meter main tower designed by architect Yang Cho-cheng — the tallest building in Taiwan from 1973 to 1981 — standing on the former site of the Taiwan Shrine.
The hotel's predecessor, Taiwan Hotel, was taken over by the Taiwan Chi-Tuo Association and renamed Grand Hotel Taipei on May 10, 1952. On October 10, 1973, the current 14-story Chinese palace-style main tower, designed by architect Yang Cho-cheng, was completed at 87 meters (285 feet) tall, making it Taiwan's tallest building from 1973 to 1981. The site was previously home to the Japanese colonial-era Taiwan Shrine.
Highlights of Grand Hotel Taipei
The exterior of Grand Hotel Taipei is defined by a Chinese palace-style aesthetic, with yellow glazed-tile roofs and vermilion columns as its core visual identity. Following the 1973 reconstruction, the hotel's height and scale gave it a landmark role on the Taipei skyline for decades, only relatively diminished with the construction of modern high-rises in recent years. The hilltop site was originally home to the Taiwan Shrine during the Japanese colonial period, layering that earlier history beneath the current structure.
Visitors do not need to be staying at the hotel to enter the lobby and admire the temple-style painted ceilings and dragon columns, though some areas are only accessible to hotel guests or restaurant diners. The hotel's legendary secret escape chutes are no longer entirely hidden — the hotel has released information about some of them and currently opens specific guided tour sessions for visitors to explore the passages. For registration details, check the hotel's official website. The hilltop view takes in the Jilong River, Expo Park, and the northern Taipei cityscape.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Visit
Practical Information
Getting There & Time
- Take the MRT Tamsui-Xinyi Line to Yuanshan Station, then walk or take a hotel shuttle (subject to that day's arrangements) about 10 minutes to the hotel.
- The lobby is open to the public. For details on which areas are accessible and guided tour schedules, check the hotel's official website. Some areas require a dining reservation or hotel stay.
Nearby Connections
- Taipei Fine Arts Museum (TFAM) and Expo Park are within walking distance of Yuanshan Station; an art exhibition can be added to the same day.
- Dalongdong Baoan Temple and Taipei Confucius Temple are about a 10-to-15-minute walk or YouBike ride away, suitable for combining with a historic Taipei itinerary.
Source: Architectural history and historic site information provided in context. Photos to be replaced with Dio's own shots.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Grand Hotel Taipei's main tower?
The main tower is 87 meters (285 feet) tall with 14 floors, completed October 10, 1973, and was once Taiwan's tallest building.
What stood on the Grand Hotel Taipei site before?
The site was originally the Japanese colonial-era Taiwan Shrine; it became Taiwan Hotel and was renamed Grand Hotel Taipei in 1952.
Who designed Grand Hotel Taipei's current building?
The current palace-style main tower was designed by architect Yang Cho-cheng and completed in 1973.
Sources
- 圓山大飯店 - 維基百科 — 建築高度、樓層、重建年份、前身台灣神社