The Grand Hotel is Taiwan’s first five-star hotel. It was built back during a tumultuous time in Taiwan’s history and because of that the structure houses many secrets. On Wednesday, the hotel announced that it would open a previously secret passage underneath the building to the public.
In September 2019 Taipei’s Grand Hotel, for the first time ever, allowed the public to tour a secret tunnel below the building’s west wing. The tunnel was meant to be an escape route for then President Chiang Kai-shek. In its first three months, the attraction brought over 50,000 visitors to the hotel.
But there was another door under the west wing that remained closed. That is, until now. It turns out, behind that door is another escape tunnel. To celebrate the Grand Hotel’s 70th anniversary, the hotel is letting the public behind the sealed door.
Hotel Chairman Lin Yu-sheng says that the world can now see both of the Grand Hotel’s west wing escape tunnels. Lin says there are many urban legends surrounding the tunnels. And the mystery surrounding the hotel is part of its charm.
Due to space and personnel constraints, the tunnels can only accommodate 1,500 people a day. That’s roughly 40,000 people a month. Lin says guides will give up to five 70-minute tours a day. That’s nearly six hours of nonstop walking and talking.
As Taiwan seeks to roll back travel and quarantine restrictions, the country is expecting an influx of tourists. That means more business for the Grand Hotel. In this vein, the hotel is opening up every one of its doors to eager travelers — even the secret ones.
