The title was held for a duration of six years before Burj Khalifa, in Dubai stole it away in the year 2010 but Taipei 101 remains as the apple of Taiwan's eye and continues to be the much celebrated building where fireworks are set off on New Year's eve under the eager and watchful eyes of the nation.
(Note: The position held by Taipei 101 was preceded by the famous and close to home's Petronas Twin Towers; from the year 1998 to 2004, yet today they remain as the tallest twin towers in the world. )
Taipei 101 comprises of a hundred and one (101) floors above ground(the reason for the name of the building), and 5 floors underground and is a magnificent city sight when it is fully lit at night. If the title of being the world's tallest building from ground to pinnacle for six years is not enough, take note that the building was also the world's tallest and largest green building when it was awarded the LEED Platinum Certification; the highest achievement award in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). For more information on the Taipei 101 trivia and facts, please refer to Wikipedia here.
Like most major cities in the world, skyscrapers are common sights in a scene which seemed like they were all standing arrogantly in a bid to outdo each other in their glory and height, not to mention magnificence. Taipei 101, is another building like that; originally known as the Taipei World Financial Center, it is now still a commercial center filled with offices, retail outlets and also observatories open to public to enjoy the view from the tall building.
Taiwan is no stranger to typhoons and Taipei 101, with its modern city architecture infused with the Asian tradition is designed to weather the strong winds of typhoon and also earthquakes.
The architectural design and structural integrity of the building are all explained in the exhibition hall and observatory decks of Taipei 101, located on the 88th and 89th floor.
Take an elevator to the 5th floor to the ticketing counter to purchase your tickets to the observatory decks.
(Do take note that there are indoor and outdoor observatory decks located in the Taipei 101, and the outdoor observatory deck's only open to public should the weather permits, and may not be open all the time. The staff at the ticketing counter will notify at the time of the purchase if the outdoor observatory deck is open).
Each ticket costs NTD(New Taiwan Dollar) $500 per person.
The other record that Taipei 101 holds is this fastest passenger elevator in the world, as marked in the Guiness Book of Records.
The whole journey from the fifth floor to the 89th floor; where the indoor observatory is located takes less than a minute (in exact, only half a minute) and I barely felt anything; yes, it was that smooth!
Thumbs up, they deserve the title! (I was impressed with the smooth and almost transition less ride up the high floors)
On the 89th Observatory Floor
Decor in conjunction with the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year celebration in the following month (February)
Views of Taipei city at night; an animated map freckled with bright neon lights.
The observatory deck provides a 360 degrees view of the city; from the different decks and sections available for the viewing.
Take the staircase to the 91st floor for a view from the Outdoor Observatory Deck.
The wind can be really strong here; and not the full deck will be open for viewing.
A view of the pinnacle of Taipei 101
Complete the tour by heading back to the 88th floor for the exhibition hall, for the facts and figures on the impressive skyscraper.
Damper Baby, is everywhere, as the unmistakable iconic mascot of Taipei 101.
If you are from the city, skyscrapers would probably be another part of the familiar scene you grew up with though the only difference lies in the location you are at, and the view, just seems different when you are in different country altogether?
The other reason is perhaps, to check out the famous building which was once the tallest building in the world, taking over the title from our very own backyard's Twin Towers?
Take in the view from the towering skyscraper in the day or the night, and enjoy the animated hustle bustle of the city in action, although personally, I would say the night seems to provide a far more superior view with the city fully lit to project modern urbanization to life :-)
Besides, what could be a better way to enjoy the Taipei 101 fully decked with lights than in the dark of the night, to fully see the grandeur of the building?
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