Stepping into the Palace Wedding of the Movie Double Happiness: The Crimson Pillars, Secret Tunnels, and Legendary Eras of The Grand Hotel Taipei, the most iconic historical hotel in Taiwan

A Contemporary Dragon Palace Nestled on Mount Jiantan — The Ultimate Encounter of Eastern Aesthetics and Sovereign Hospitality

If Regent Taipei represents the sleek, modern, and cosmopolitan luxury of Taipei’s urban core, then The Grand Hotel Taipei, perched grandly on the slopes of Mount Jiantan overlooking the entire Taipei Basin, represents the city’s majestic, awe-inspiring, and irreplaceable historical gravity.

In director Joseph Hsu’s film Double Happiness (《雙囍》), the intense, emotional wedding banquet — a battlefield of traditional family values and modern cultural collisions — was filmed on-site right here at The Grand Hotel. From the breathtaking, palatial lobby and the exclusive bridal suites to the magnificent Grand Ballroom, the hotel’s deep, passionate crimson palette perfectly mirrored the complex love and friction within a traditional family. Today, this landmark is no longer just a secretive sanctuary reserved for visiting heads of state; it is a living palace of contemporary culture open to all.

the film Double Happiness

The “First State Guesthouse” of Taiwan’s Modern History

The historical roots of The Grand Hotel date back to the Japanese colonial period, when the site was occupied by the Taiwan Grand Shrine. After World War II, to create a dignified venue capable of hosting international dignitaries on a state level, Madame Chiang Kai-shek (Soong Mei-ling) and her committee took over management, officially founding The Grand Hotel in 1952.

The iconic 14-story, palace-style main building we know today was designed by the renowned architect Yang Cho-cheng and officially inaugurated on National Day in 1973. Featuring crimson pillars, golden roof tiles, and sweeping, bracketed eaves, it stands as one of the tallest examples of traditional Chinese architecture in the world and was the absolute defining landmark of Taipei in the 1970s. This palace has hosted countless world leaders, including U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower and Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. Walking down the vast corridors lined with plush red carpets, every step feels like an echo of history turning.

Three Must-See Mystical Highlights: The Plum Blossom Caisson, the Century-Old Golden Dragon, and Secret Tunnels

The Grand Hotel is far more than a place to sleep; it is a living museum housing three legendary architectural treasures:

1. The Plum Blossom Caisson Ceiling: Upon entering the main lobby, look up to see an incredibly intricate plum blossom-shaped caisson ceiling. At its center, five golden dragons surround a pearl, symbolizing “Five Blessings Entering the Gate.” Surrounding them are 23 golden dragons and 16 phoenixes, traditional homophonic symbols for upward mobility and everlasting prosperity.
2. The Century-Old Golden Dragon: Located in front of the Golden Dragon Restaurant, this dragon is a rare artifact preserved from the former Taiwan Grand Shrine. Uniquely, it features three claws (whereas traditional Chinese Imperial dragons have four or five), standing as a quiet witness to the site’s century-long transformation from a sacred shrine to a state guesthouse. Today, the fountain has been plated in 24K gold, making it a favorite spot for travelers to pray for fortune.
3. The Half-Century-Old Secret Escape Tunnels: To guarantee the safety of heads of state during emergencies, the first general manager, Ms. Kung Ling-wei, covertly invited WWII bunker engineers to construct two underground escape tunnels beneath the hotel. The West Tunnel features a 20-meter-long concrete slide — famed as the longest of its kind in the world. Kept top-secret for decades, both the East and West tunnels are now fully open to the public, offering a fascinating, adventurous dive into Cold War history.

Where Cinema Meets Reality: State Banquets and Movie-Like Escapes

In Double Happiness, the signature “Squid Ink Pasta” introduced in tandem with the film left a lasting impression on audiences. In reality, the culinary prowess of The Grand Hotel has remained at the pinnacle of Taiwan’s dining scene for decades.

During your stay, you can choose to dine at the Golden Dragon Restaurant, enjoying authentic Cantonese Dim Sum with unparalleled views of the Keelung River and planes landing at Songshan Airport. Alternatively, visit the Yuan Yuan Restaurant to taste the Imperial Red Bean Sponge Cake, the legendary favorite dessert of Madame Chiang Kai-shek. Savoring state-banquet-level delicacies while gazing at the Keelung River intersecting with the glittering Taipei 101 skyline is an sensory experience no other hotel can replicate.

The guest rooms are equally extraordinary. Unlike modern, completely sealed hotels, most rooms at The Grand Hotel feature expansive, palace-style outdoor balconies. Standing on your private terrace with a gentle breeze blowing, the panoramic view is entirely unobstructed — stretching to Mount Guanyin and the Tamsui River by day, and capturing the vibrant neon pulse of Taipei by night.

Conclusion: Write Your Own Story in Taipei’s Grandest Palace

With its timeless crimson and gold, The Grand Hotel Taipei has stood guard over the city from Mount Jiantan for over half a century. It has transformed from a secretive political nucleus into a vibrant cultural landmark and a premier filming location for international cinema.

Whether you are drawn here by the magnificent wedding scenes of Double Happiness, eager to slide down the secret underground tunnels, or longing to watch the sunset over Taipei from a grand palace balcony, The Grand Hotel stands ready. With decades of state-level hospitality, it is prepared to paint your journey with the most legendary, elegant, and classic colors Taiwan has to offer.

Book it with the following link to start your journey in Taipei.

https://www.trip.com/w/dZeeCJh8DV2