Presidential Office Building

The Presidential Office Building is the heart of Taiwanese politics, while it was designed and constructed by the Japanese during the Japanese rule. As the trend towards Western culture was prevailing through Japan back at that time, this national heritage flaunts a surprisingly harmonious fusion of various architectural styles, including Renaissance, Baroque, Gothic, and more.

The Presidential Office Building stands at the end of the Katagalan Boulevard, where many protest movements that have had a significant impact on Taiwan's landscape took place, for example, the mass protests over the death of a young conscript Hung Chung-chiu, the rally in favor of the “diverse family formation” draft bill, and of course the Sunflower Student Movement.

Dating all the way back to 1919, the almost-a-century-old Presidential Office Building was born during the Japanese rule, standing through 38 years of martial law, and continues to give birth to many more social movements in Taiwan.

Open to the public every weekday morning from 9am until noon (and only once a month on weekends), a visit to the Presidential Office Building gives you a chance to explore the turbulent history of Taiwan for the past century.