Presidential Office Building
Presidential Office Building
4
About
This ornate government building was finished in 1919, when Taiwan was under Japanese rule. Daily admission weekdays from 9 until Noon. Final admission at 11:30 am. On select weekends they are open until 4 pm.
Duration: < 1 hour
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Plan your visit
The area
How to get there
- National Taiwan University Hospital • 5 min walk
- Ximen • 6 min walk
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
7,570 within 3 miles
Attractions
688 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
852 reviews
Excellent
229
Very good
373
Average
221
Poor
24
Terrible
5
Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia13,528 contributions
Aug 2021
Tsai Ingwen is the first female Prresident of the Republic of China on Taiwan. She is a two-term President, representing the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). The interior of the Presidential Office is clean and well-presented. The Office dates from the Japanese colonial era (1895-1945), when it was the headquarters of the colonial administration. Check for opening hours.
Written August 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
abigail G
Kuala Lumpur92 contributions
May 2013 • Couples
When on a Sunday morning, which is like an open day, opened to all visitors for free. No queue as it was drizzling but were not allowed entry for wearing sandals. I mean it was raining, you can't expect us to wear proper shoes, right?
Anyway, we went to other attraction places and decided to return when we have the extra time to kill. There isn't any queue either when we return.
Security is not very tight surprisingly - the usual passport checks, bag checks, through the metal detector and then you just walk around freely, but with guards standing by, so that's mean beyond the guards, is a no-no.
Not sure why another review wrote of having guided tour and heavy military presence. All I saw was guards posting in various locations in the building without any weapon or military uniform. Just the formal dress code - shirts and all. But if outside the building, yes there are military with weapons. We walked around ourselves and there's no one providing any guides. Some of the information are also in Chinese if I'm not wrong, another surprise, shouldn't it be multilingual to cater for tourists and locals alike?
Also, we took photos during the visit, freely in the building.
There's nothing much in the building, you don't really have a chance to look at anything else other than rooms furnished with information after information explaining how the building come about, history of each presidents, etc. Ah unless you are interested to take photos with a life size board of the current president and its deputy.
Anyway, we went to other attraction places and decided to return when we have the extra time to kill. There isn't any queue either when we return.
Security is not very tight surprisingly - the usual passport checks, bag checks, through the metal detector and then you just walk around freely, but with guards standing by, so that's mean beyond the guards, is a no-no.
Not sure why another review wrote of having guided tour and heavy military presence. All I saw was guards posting in various locations in the building without any weapon or military uniform. Just the formal dress code - shirts and all. But if outside the building, yes there are military with weapons. We walked around ourselves and there's no one providing any guides. Some of the information are also in Chinese if I'm not wrong, another surprise, shouldn't it be multilingual to cater for tourists and locals alike?
Also, we took photos during the visit, freely in the building.
There's nothing much in the building, you don't really have a chance to look at anything else other than rooms furnished with information after information explaining how the building come about, history of each presidents, etc. Ah unless you are interested to take photos with a life size board of the current president and its deputy.
Written June 4, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
eblis3
Coachella, CA43 contributions
Jul 2013 • Couples
They open the presidential palace up to general public tours once a month and it happened to be when we were visiting Taipei. There are soldiers everywhere which made it kind of fun. Unlike the stoic soldiers in London I was able to elicit a slight response from a few of the soldiers here.
On tour day you can walk through a few floors of the palace and see the exhibits that they open for display. It is a history lesson on Taiwan's government, trade, and future aspirations. There is also a cardboard cutout of Taiwan's president which you just can't resist snapping a quick photo with on your way to the second floor.
The bathrooms were super clean in case you have to go. The gift shop had some great finds and I bought a unique metal Bento box there. I'm not sure what it's like when there isn't an open house but on tour day it was very interesting.
On tour day you can walk through a few floors of the palace and see the exhibits that they open for display. It is a history lesson on Taiwan's government, trade, and future aspirations. There is also a cardboard cutout of Taiwan's president which you just can't resist snapping a quick photo with on your way to the second floor.
The bathrooms were super clean in case you have to go. The gift shop had some great finds and I bought a unique metal Bento box there. I'm not sure what it's like when there isn't an open house but on tour day it was very interesting.
Written December 11, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Seb7724
1 contribution
May 2019 • Solo
Advice: Do not take photos near the Presidential palace from the pedestrian walk. If you take photos, the security guards will ask you to stop immediately. There is no "no photo" sign displayed anywhere. Nevertheless, it seems that taking photos is prohibited in that area. I like to abide with rules and laws. But how to comply with rules that are not displayed !
To Taiwan government, put signs to forbid taking photos!!!
To Taiwan government, put signs to forbid taking photos!!!
Written May 25, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NeumannTaiwan
Taipei13 contributions
Jul 2015 • Solo
This impressive bulding was buit up between 1911 and 1919 as the residence of the then Japanese governor of Taiwan, at that time called "Formosa" and being a Japanese colony. There are a few buildings of that architecture style all over downtown Taipei. Recommendable for just passing by and only for those interested in that colonial area.
Written May 2, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
magicianlg
Makati, Philippines241 contributions
Dec 2014 • Couples
My wife and I visited the Presidential Office Building on a "full open house" (it only happens once a month). It really worth the visit!
We decided not to go on a guided tour (we have seen one starting, but the guide was speaking only in Mandarin), which eventually became a good thing. People on those tours were having a typical "taiwanese tour style" (I hope not to be offensive, but it is true, most of the time): take as many pictures as you can, and really watch the things/places you have been only later, at home...
Ah, I have read in one review that it was not alowed to take pictures inside the building, what is not true. You can take pictures anywhere on the public spaces and nobody complained at all.
On the second floor, we had access to a banquet room and press conference one.
On the first floor, we could have a history lesson, from the colonial times to nowadays'. There are subtitles (most of the time, also in English) explaining pictures, objects, certain period, which were very nice.
Finally, we were lucky to see a concert of young music students, which was also very nice!
We decided not to go on a guided tour (we have seen one starting, but the guide was speaking only in Mandarin), which eventually became a good thing. People on those tours were having a typical "taiwanese tour style" (I hope not to be offensive, but it is true, most of the time): take as many pictures as you can, and really watch the things/places you have been only later, at home...
Ah, I have read in one review that it was not alowed to take pictures inside the building, what is not true. You can take pictures anywhere on the public spaces and nobody complained at all.
On the second floor, we had access to a banquet room and press conference one.
On the first floor, we could have a history lesson, from the colonial times to nowadays'. There are subtitles (most of the time, also in English) explaining pictures, objects, certain period, which were very nice.
Finally, we were lucky to see a concert of young music students, which was also very nice!
Written December 16, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fred g
Markham, Canada79 contributions
Oct 2014 • Couples
First things first: you MUST reserve a spot on the visitor list, and it MUST be done minimum 3 days in advance. There is a max of several hundred ppl visiting per day, I believe 600 if memory serves, and they stick to it. You MUST bring photo ID. You CANNOT take pictures inside, and you CANNOT take pictures immediately in front of the building or of the military vehicles near it (I was fascinated by trailers whose purpose was to hold and carry bales of barbed wire.. very interesting vehicles). What do you get when you visit? A tour guide (my wife and I arrived in between tour groups, and so we scored a private English speaking tour guide.. yeah!!) who will tell you about the building history, the displays, ... and interspersed with all this you also get the History of Taiwan, life under the Japanese, life while under WWII bombardment, life after the Mainland Civil War, life under the succession of presidents... maybe it's our luck or it's covered in larger groups, I don't know, but we also learned about Martial Law in Taiwan, issues faced by their leaders as they walk tightrope in the world scene and the rest of the world decides how much to recognize Taiwan without incurring the displeasure of the PRC who understandably still sees Taiwan as an island they need to get back... and how Taiwan is not big on independence in the Western mindset because they see a goal of a unified China (under a different political climate)... it's quite fascinating. The exhibits are not all that interesting and there is precious little shown in English.. the value is mostly on the energy and disclosure available from the tour guide you end up with, which in my particular case was A+. It also helped that the "tour" was only my wife and I. If you end up with a low energy tour guide or in a large group, this attraction could easily become a disappointment.
Written October 29, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jessie W
London, UK14 contributions
Nov 2013 • Couples
"The structure is not imposing but once you get into the building the history of the country binds you. The building itself has a history, being ravaged during world war II and restored within three years of the end of the war. The building was renamed as Chieh Shou Hall honoring the country’s President Chiang Kai-shek. The building houses many of the government offices and as an attraction maintains fine South and North Gardens. The building showcases two orders of classical architecture, Corinthian and Ionic, which any architectural student worth his salt would enjoy in the pillars and the imposing marble staircase.
The history of Taiwan is best learnt through a guided tour. Be wary of the heightened security being provided by the military personnel."
The history of Taiwan is best learnt through a guided tour. Be wary of the heightened security being provided by the military personnel."
Written December 17, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IntlTravlrRevwr
San Diego, CA214 contributions
Aug 2013 • Couples
First, don't go here looking for a tour of the glitzy palace-like rooms where the president hangs out. If they exist in this building complex that's not what you'll be seeing. Rather, having your passport inspected and going through metal detectors, you'll go through rooms on the first floor of the building that are rather undistinguished but have the chance to see displays that are interesting and factual. If our experiences were typical, the guides were thoughtful and very responsive to questions and we learned a lot about the assortment of leaders with quite different agendas that this country has had in its relatively short history. There are also displays of products made in the country and it is noteworthy that many of the products that were once an important part of the economy no longer are.
The tour is perhaps 20 minutes and offered in English and the native language. There's a gift shop at the end.
The tour is perhaps 20 minutes and offered in English and the native language. There's a gift shop at the end.
Written October 14, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carolyn W
Sydney, Australia14 contributions
Apr 2013 • Family
I don't know how others could give a low rate to this place. Sure from the outside it is just a building and not that interesting, but you need to go INSIDE it which is where you will find the value. The building is still being used for government official office, hence the heavy military presence.
You will need to find the street sign, or ask one of the soldiers for the entrance to the building. You will need to have your passport with you, and go through a security check. The whole time you are in the compound you will be guided by a staff as you are not allowed to freely explore the ground. They will lead you to an English guide, and room by room the guide will go through and provide interesting history of Taiwan to you. It is these verbal information matching the display work that makes this place interesting. You can't take photos during the tour, but there are a couple of designated photo spots at the end of the tour.
We thoroughly enjoyed visiting this spot.
You will need to find the street sign, or ask one of the soldiers for the entrance to the building. You will need to have your passport with you, and go through a security check. The whole time you are in the compound you will be guided by a staff as you are not allowed to freely explore the ground. They will lead you to an English guide, and room by room the guide will go through and provide interesting history of Taiwan to you. It is these verbal information matching the display work that makes this place interesting. You can't take photos during the tour, but there are a couple of designated photo spots at the end of the tour.
We thoroughly enjoyed visiting this spot.
Written April 26, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, I am thinking of visiting the Post Office in the Presidential Building, is it easy to access or do I need a passport to enter the Post Office? Thanks alot.
Written December 14, 2018
Hi, I am thinking of visiting the Post Office in the Presidential Building, is it easy to access or do I need a passport to enter the Post Office? Thanks alot.
Written December 14, 2018
I would double-check Q2770BX's answer - I believe that you WILL need your passport as you can't get into the Presidential Office building without it and I don't think you can get into that post office without going through the security check.
I was there in October and, with guards holding machine guns all over the place, had to show my passport (I don't think a regular ID will be accepted) as well as go through metal detectors to get into the building...the security was very strict.
Written December 16, 2018
Presidential Office Building을 실수로 click을 했는데 잘못 누른걸 정정하거나 삭제하려니 안되네요?
실수로 잘못 누른것을 수정하거나 삭제하는 방법을 알려주세요~
Written November 9, 2015
Showing results 1-3 of 3
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listingScroll back to Presidential Office Building information