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==