Just like the Four Joined Japanese-Style Residences, the Prince's Chalet is likewise free of charge. What do you know? You learn a bit of history and indulge your senses with absolute beauty, all for no cost. It is one of the many reasons why you should not pass up Jinguashi when in Taiwan.
Apparently, the chalet was built for the Crown Prince Hirohito of Japan who was supposed to visit in Taiwan; the Prince, however, did not stay at the Chalet. The marker in front of the Prince's Chalet reads:
The Tanaka Mining Corpporation built the Chalet in 1922 for the visit of the Crown Prince Hirohito. The chateau was built in accordance to the prince's residence in Japan. Taiwan Power Company took over the management of the Chalet in 1987 and restored it. The Chalet was opened to the public in accompany with the opening of the Gold Ecological Park in 2004.
A limited number of people at any given time (50 people) is allowed at the Prince's Chalet in order to preserve it. The guides at the Chalet are in yellow, and they are scattered inside and outside of the Chalet to assist the tourists, and to make sure that no one would vandalize the place or go inside the house. Visitors can only view the Chalet from the garden and are not allowed inside the house. Still, you can easily see the entirety of the house because it is made of glass shoji-like walls and windows (not paper). Also, the house is almost empty, save for a few furniture. Well, if you see the Prince's Chalet, you'd want to make it your home.
The Gate of the Prince's Chalet
Entrance to the Chalet. No entry.
Small path leading to the garden.
The Crown Prince's chambers.
Special Guest Room
The Prince's Study.
The koi pond
Beware of snakes and bees!
The view beyond the garden. See the arrow?
The arrow points to this huge golden statue, which is the biggest image of this deity.
