Taipei 101

Taipei 101 is currently the world's tallest building. There are many records that this building currently hold, including one which visitors can experience for themselves, the fastest elevator in the world.

Taipei 101 is located in the financial district of Taipei city. Getting there is easy, because the building attracts a lot of people everyday. The nearest MRT station is the Taipei City Hall station. From there, one can walk, talk a local bus or just take a free bus shuttle service to Taipei 101. There are clear signs in the MRT station to direct you to the shuttle bus stop, so dont worry.

The observatory deck (I pressume that everyone who is intending to visit Taipei 101 is to go up the observation deck to take in the paranomic views of Taipei city) is located at the 5th storey. From there you can purchase your tickets. The adult price for the ticket to the observatory at 89th floor is priced at 350NTD. For youths, it is a good idea to get a youth travel card from any visitor centers in Taipei (free) so that the ticket to the 89th floor is 300NTD, cheaper than concession price.

The entry time is exact at the hour, so you can choose the time you want to go up. There is no fixed duration, so you can linger for as long as you like at the "top of the everything" until the place closes. There is a neat digital counter at the ticketing area, so that one can see how many tickets have been purchased for a particular timing. That means, if you prefer to enjoy the scenes with less people, look out for the timings with least tickets bought. OF course, that is subjected to changes.

Due to security and comfort reasons, it is a good idea to leave any bulky bags one have acquired from shopping in the locker areas. There are many lockers located in the building, one near the toilet area if you enter from the shuttle bus drop-off point, and one at the entrance to the elevators before you go up to the 89th floor. Once you are ready to go up, just join the queue to take the elevator up. There is a lady in the elevator who will explain what you are going to experience in many languages, so keep your eyes (or cameras) fixed on the display panel to see where you are in the building as the lift goes up. The display panel is located on the right hand side if you face the elevator entrance.

It may be slightly confusing once you reach 89th floor, because everyone will flock to the first window they see. The redemption of audio guide is located to the right from the elevator, but one must redeem the audio guide with the 89th floor entrance ticket and passport for deposit. The guide comes in many languages including English and is complimentary is you give them your ticket. They will give you a bookmark as a sourvenir for taking your ticket.

For those who need a break from the scenes, there may be some exhibitions going on. There are basic amenities at this height, toilets, eating shops, sourvenir shops, posters about the building. The other attraction is located in the middle of the whole almost circular observatory, the world's heaviest mass damper.

If weather permits, one can pay an additional 100NTD to go up to the 91st floor outdoor observation area. The views at the outdoor observation area is not as open because walls are built at about 1.2m tall, with fences higher than a human height. Nonetheless, binoculars (at extra costs) are available .At the outdoor observatory, one can see the spire of the building. After the walk, one can go indoors and watch a video about the construction of Taipei 101.

After a trip at the observatory, if you want to linger at Taipei 101, there are many shops around. There are also many restuarants. The basement food court of Taipei 101 resembles the food courts in Singapore shopping malls. They offer reasonably-priced food of variety. There are also cheap 100NTD set meals to choose from.

Taipei 101 is a must-go because it is a symbol of modern day Taiwan. The construction of the building itself is a marvel. The addition thrill of visiting the tallest building gives it more reason to visit Taipei 101 (before the title is given to another building in the world).

If you want to visit the Taipei 101, which is a 101 floors skyscraper in Taipei, you need to access to the 5th floor of the Taipei 101 shoping centre, where also serve the access to the observation deck, the elevators will take you all the way to the 89th floor, the indooe observation deck, and the outdoor observation deck is located in the 91st floor. The most amazing thing you will find is the steel pendulum, which serves as a mass damper, it suspends from the 92nd floor to the 88th floor. The movements of the damper will offset movement in the building caused by earthquake, strong gusts wind, etc... that can reduce the overall movement of the building. It's a unique design and it's the 1st in the world to adopt such technology.

Approximately 10 USD gains you admission to Taipei 101, for the time being, the tallest building open to the public in the world! Your basic ticket lets you ride the world's fastest elevator to the top of the tower, where you have a very informative indoor observation area with views over the entire city of Taipei. The free audio guide tells you everything you see around you. In the center of the floor is the world's largest damper, keeping the building from swaying in the wind and tremors. Not always, but sometimes you can spend a couple extra bucks (100 NTD) to go up another floor to the outdoor observation deck. Don't be too upset if it's not open when you visit. It's not any better than the indoor deck...just higher. I recommend visiting if you are in town, just so you can say you were there!

What an excellent view from the 89 floor. The cost is not so bad and the shopping inside the mall is great...if high end is what your looking for. The 101 has most higher end shops, etc. Prada, D&G and so on. Great selection! If you go to Taiwan and miss the 101...well you've wasted your time. Make sure and see it!

The fireworks of Taipei 101 in the New Years eve is the best in the world!! A Taiwan MUST SEE! Even Taiwanese love to invite friends to share the crazy beautiful moment of the count down on the last day of the year! But you have to arrive there early....The traffic nearby will be a mess! (And you don't have to pay anything!)

See this vedio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mABr24Hg3k

Taipei 101 is built for business use. A lot of famous enterprises are located there,such as Loreal, KPMG, ING,ABN AMRO Bank, etc. You can't get in the business area without permission. But you can go to the highest floor to see the scenery of the whole Taipei city.(admission fee: 350 NTD)

There is another lower building by its side. And that is a popular department store.

Taipei 101 in Taiwan is (currently) the tallest building in the world.

It has a very distinctive design and look about it that makes it very striking. I will post more about the building over the next few days but meantime here are 2 short video clips. One is of the graphic of the lift - which is the fastest in the world (authenticated by Guiness Book of Records) and the other is a view of the observation deck and the view.

On the lift video I forgot I was filming it in vertical format so it will look like we are going horizontally when you watch the clip... but you still see how damn fast the lift goes!

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The lift

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