Shilin Official Residence

History

During the Japanese Colonial era on Taiwan, it was the location of the Shilin Horticultural Experimental Station. After the Republic of China lost the Chinese Civil War in 1949 and retreated to Taiwan, the property was requisitioned to the government and transformed into the residence of Chiang Kai-shek and Soong Mei-ling by architect Yang Cho-cheng. Construction was completed by the Continental Engineering Corporation. In the early days of the Republic of China on Taiwan, the residence was heavily militarized, fortified, and closed to the public.

Since 1996, the Residence has been open to the public and is a popular place for viewing the gardens. The gardens include both Chinese- and Western-style horticulture. In addition to the gardens, the official residence includes the former home of Chiang Kai-shek and Soong Mei-ling. The official residence is a two-story western-style home. The residence is currently open to the public as of January 2, 2011. In addition, the grounds include Madame Chiang Kai-shek's former Cadillac limousine, Chiang Kai-shek's personal Victory Chapel, and the Xinlan Pavilion (新蘭亭) with inscription by Yu Youren, which hosted Chiang's birthday celebrations. Former President Chen Shui-bian revealed that the grounds contain the entrance to a hidden tunnel that connects to the Presidential Office Building in Zhongzheng District, Taipei.

Famous guests

The residence has hosted famous guests and foreign dignitaries visiting Taiwan, including then President of the United States of America, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and U.S. Secretary of State John Foster Dulles. In 1971, Ronald Reagan stayed at the residence when he was in Taipei as the United States representative to the Double Ten Day Celebrations.

Gallery

File:Vestibule of Shilin Official Residence 20250723.jpg|Vestibule File:Small Living Room of Shilin Official Residence 20250723.jpg|Small Living Room File:Large Living Room of Shilin Official Residence 03 20250723.jpg|Large Living Room File:President Chiang's First Den (Bedroom) in Shilin Official Residence 20250723.jpg|President Chiang's First Den File:President Chiang's Second Den in Shilin Official Residence 02 20250723.jpg|President Chiang's Second Den File:Madame Chiang's Bedroom in Shilin Official Residence 05 20250723.jpg|Madame Chiang's Bedroom File:Madame Chiang's Studio in Shilin Official Residence 20250723.jpg|Madame Chiang's Studio File:Madame Chiang's Study in Shilin Official Residence 20250723.jpg|Madame Chiang's Study File:President Chiang's Study in Shilin Official Residence 01 20250723.jpg|President Chiang's Study File:Banquet Hall of Shilin Official Residence 02 20250723.jpg|Banquet Hall File:Dining Room of Shilin Official Residence 20250723.jpg|Dining Room File:Corridor of Shilin Official Residence 03 20250723.jpg|Corridor

Transportation

The residence is within walking distance of Shilin Station on the Taipei Metro.

References

References

1. "Shilin".
2. "a1、Shihlin residence 林園藝管理所 – kiyoko_lee的網誌 – udn部落格".
3. link. zh-tw. 64年04月05日 因突發性心臟病於臺北士林官邸逝世。
4. "Chiang Kai-shek (1st – 5th terms)".
5. link. zh-tw. 想想論壇 Thinking Taiwan. zh-tw. 記得當時官方公布蔣介石去世時間是1975年4月4日晚間11點50分，目前中正紀年堂「總統紀念辦公室」牆上的時鐘即停在該時間。依華人干支紀時之法，子時為半夜十一點到一點，如果蔣介石真的如官方所稱死於4月4日的子夜11:50，那麼依民俗，他是可以算4月5日死的。
6. "www.chinapost.com.tw".
7. [http://sinotour.com/tourguide/taipei/chiang-kai-shek-shilin-residence.html Shilin Official Residence] {{webarchive. link. (November 28, 2010)
8. "www.chinapost.com.tw".
9. [http://tcgwww.taipei.gov.tw/ct.asp?xItem=1100563&ctNode=30280&mp=100002 Famous Guests]
10. Taylor, Jay. (April 15, 2009). "The Generalissimo: Chiang Kai-shek and the Struggle for Modern China". Harvard University Press.