Architectural, Cultural sights in Taipei
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A
Lin Antai Old Homestead
This is Taipei's oldest residential building. The southern Fujian style 30-room house was built during the years 1783-87, near what is now Dunhua S Rd. It was gradually expanded as this wealthy merchant family grew. The home reached its present size in 1823.
However, the city also expanded and in the 1970s this historic home was slated to be destroyed as the road was being widened. Thankfully, public outcry saved it; the building was painstakingly dismantled and, in 1983, rebuilt on this field across from Xinsheng Park. Today the house is notable for its central courtyard, swallowtail roof and period furniture. We're not sure the Lin family would have wanted their house i…
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B
CKS Shilin Residence Park
Once upon a time this multifaceted botanical garden, the CKS Shilin Residence Park was part of the sprawling estate of Generalissimo and Mrs Chiang Kai-shek. They ruled the gardens with an iron hand, overseeing the pruning, weeding and other daily gardening tasks from their palatial home overlooking the estates, all the while dreaming of their inevitable triumphant retaking of mainland China.
When the Generalissimo died, Madame Chiang (who never much cared for Taiwan), wasted no time in moving her official residence to America. For decades the estate and the surrounding gardens were closed to the public.
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