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