Shilin Residence_Shilin Residence Park

Shilin Residence Park covers approximately 12.9 hectares. Due to its location adjacent to Zhongshan North Road, providing quick access to the Presidential Office, and being embraced by the Fushan mountain range, its superior topography and excellent geographical location led to its use as the daily residence of the late President Chiang Kai-shek starting from 1950. Because the residence was established here, reconstruction and new construction were strictly prohibited in the surrounding areas. This allowed the Residence Park to maintain its original natural landscape, with chirping insects and singing birds, and beautiful scenery, making it an excellent place for suburban leisure and recreation. In 1996, the residence was first opened to the public for horticultural viewing and recreational use. The Rose Garden was Madam Chiang's favorite garden; the romantic and beautiful scenery in the Western-style garden is a popular spot for wedding photoshoots; the arched bridges, winding ponds, and flowing water in the Chinese-style garden evoke the feeling of being in an ancient Chinese courtyard. Shilin Residence Park is mainly divided into the Open-air Music Stage, Rose Garden, Themed Areas, Inner Garden, Main Residence, Hiking Area, Western-style Garden, Chinese-style Garden, Kuaige Hall, Xinlan Pavilion, Horticultural Exhibition Hall, and Ciyun Pavilion. Every March, visitors can admire nearly 100 varieties and about 2,000 blooming roses in Madam Chiang's favorite Rose Garden. The Themed Areas and Hiking Area are key exhibition zones meticulously planned for the annual Chrysanthemum Show and Tulip Exhibition. In the Western and Chinese gardens, beautiful seasonal flowerbeds can be enjoyed. Xinlan Pavilion and the Horticultural Exhibition Hall also host irregular horticultural and floral plant exhibitions according to different seasons, with various flowers blooming in rotation throughout the year to welcome visitors. Kuaige Hall served as the place for the Chiang family's worship and baptisms. Xinlan Pavilion, also known as Shoutin Pavilion, was built in 1950. It is a Chinese-style four-cornered building where President Chiang Kai-shek celebrated his birthday annually and where various flower exhibitions are held. Ciyun Pavilion, a two-story square pavilion, was built on Fushan by the late President in memory of his mother. Every year, Shilin Residence hosts various flower exhibitions at the beginning and end of the year, such as the Tulip Exhibition, Rose Exhibition, Orchid Exhibition, and Chrysanthemum Show. The most well-known are the Chrysanthemum Show and Tulip Exhibition, which create colorful display areas by combining flowers with garden landscaping. The Chrysanthemum Show, held in late autumn and early winter (November to December), is one of Taiwan's renowned flower exhibitions. By featuring large chrysanthemums, shaped chrysanthemums, small chrysanthemums, and herbaceous composites, combined with display structures and garden landscaping tailored to different annual themes, Shilin Residence is transformed into a grand garden, attracting visitors from all over. The Tulip Exhibition takes place every February after the Chinese New Year at Shilin Residence, showcasing a sea of over 100,000 tulips from the Netherlands and Japan. Exotic art installations are also set up, making visitors feel as if they are in a foreign country. Shilin Residence Park officially opened to the public in 1996. To provide more and better services, various planning and construction efforts have been actively strengthened, making it another popular recreational spot in Taipei City.