Grass Mountain Chateau

The Grass Mountain Chateau, a building surrounded by a partially landscaped 7,200 square meters (78,000 sq ft) site, was built by Taiwan Sugar Corporation in 1920. The chateau served as a recreational facility for employees and hosted Japanese royalty.[1] Emperor Hirohito of Japan personally visited the residence and stayed there for 1 hour and 50 minutes, according to historical records.

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 both a historical museum and an art exhibition center, both of which are open to the public.[1]

On April 7, 2001 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.[1] Three days later the Taipei City Department of Cultural Affairs announced that the site would be restored at a cost of $US900,000.[2][3] On December 29, 2011, the chateau reopened.[4]