Taipei 101
The tallest green building in the world! Isn't that enough of a reason?
Taipei 101 is an engineering marvel and the first building of its kind in the world. Spanning 101 stories above the ground at 508 metres, the building was designed as a symbol of technology's evolution fused with Asian tradition. The building features many pan-Chinese and Asian elements mixed with a postmodern style, and is designed to withstand typhoons and earthquakes common in Taiwan.
Besides the tower, the base of the building houses a multi-level shopping mall, food court, various restaurants and stores (including Din Tai Fung 鼎泰豐), and an international grocery store.
The double-deck elevators installed in Taipei 101 set a record in 2004 by traveling 60.6 km/h, lifting visitors to the observation deck at the top in only 37 seconds. The ticket can be reserved online. Benefits of reserving the ticket online include a discount and not having to wait in the long line to purchase the ticket.
Take a trip to the top of 101 by purchasing a ticket inside the mall for NT$600, granting access to the observation deck and museum where visitors can learn about this technical and architectural wonder, as well as get a first-hand look at the tuned mass damper located at the core of the tower that keeps the building from swaying. It's a fascinating piece of technology, and visitors are allowed to view up close.
Simple Mall Floor Guide
- 1F - Fashion brands and cosmetic/skincare flagship stores
- 2F - Global watch brands, life and style boutiques, domestic Taiwan fashion brands
- 3F - High fashion boutiques
- 4F - World brand flagship stores, high-end restaurants, PAGE ONE bookstore
- 5F - Mixed products including Taiwanese handcrafts, rotating exhibitions, observatory entrance
- B1 - MRT Station, Clothing, toys, large food court, Din Tai Fung (鼎泰豐), Jason's Marketplace (import supermarket)
Take the Red Line 2 (Xiangshan train) to Taipei 101 station (台北101). Alternatively, take the Blue Line 5 to Taipei City Hall Station (市政府), located beneath HanKyu Department Store. Walk south to enter the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi (新光三越) complex (known as the Xinyi Shopping District) towards 101. Being as tall as it is, you will definitely see it along the skyline.
Taipei 101 is located at the southern end of the Xinyi Shopping District, the newest area of urban Taipei and home to ATT4fun, the flagship Eslite bookstore, Neo19, Shin Kong Mitsukoshi, as well as other entertainment, shopping, and dining complexes.
Located close by to Taipei 101, Elephant Mountain is a quick 15 minute walk away. Hike up to the top of Elephant Mountain to get a gorgeous, scenic view of Taipei City.
Every New Years, Taipei 101 is host to a spectacular fireworks display that draws people from all over Taiwan and other neighboring countries like Japan and Singapore to the area.