The Taipei 101 (aka Taipei World Financial Center) is the tallest building in Taiwan, standing at a height of 509 meters. It was the tallest building in the world from 2004 to 2010 and is now the 11th tallest building in the world as of 2023. It stands as an icon and symbol of Taiwan’s economic prosperity and may be the most recognizable building in Taiwan. It also features observatories on the 89th, 91st, and 101st floors with some of the best views of Taipei.
🏯 Planning your trip to Taipei? 🏮
Here are some top travel tips for you:
- Best time to visit: March-May, and October – November when the temperatures are nice and there is not as much rain
- How to get there: Taiwan High Speed Railway and Inter-City Bus
- Best places to stay: Yuanshan Grand Hotel or Fu Chang Hotel
- Book tours and activities in Taipei on Klook
- Stay connected with a local SIM
- Rent a car to explore distant sights
Taipei 101 Q + A:
What is the Taipei 101?
It was the tallest building in the world from 2004-2010, with 101 floors above ground (hence the name 101) and 5 floors below ground. It was designed by C.Y. Lee & Partners, and also had the fastest elevator in the world until 2016. It is an icon of Taiwan technological advancement.
How was Taipei 101 built?
The Taipei 101 was built in a period of 5 years from 1999-2004. The Taipei 101 is reinforced by concrete piles driven 80 meters below the ground and 30 meters into bedrock. In addition, it is made of high-strength reinforced steel and flexible materials. It was designed by C.Y. Lee & Partners and also had the fastest elevator in the world until 2016.
How much did the Taipei 101 cost?
NT$ 58 billion (US$1.934 billion)
How is the Taipei 101 earthquake-proof? How does the Taipei 101 withstand earthquakes?
The Taipei 101 is reinforced by concrete piles driven 80 meters below the ground and 30 meters into bedrock. In addition, it is made of high-strength reinforced steel and flexible materials.
How does the Taipei 101 damper work?
The damper works by offsetting strong wind gusts, absorbing the forces, and turning them into kinetic energy, moving the damper.
How much does the Taipei 101 sway?
The most that the Taipei 101 damper has ever swayed was during Typhoon Soudelor, swaying 100 centimeters (39 in). See below for a video!
Hours:
The Taipei 101 Observatory is open every day from 9 AM to 10 PM.
When to go:
In my opinion, the best time to go is on a sunny morning just after it has rained so that there is no haze in the air.
Price:
88, 89, and 91, observatory floors: 600 NT (20 USD) per person. You can book a discount ticket on TripAdvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here.
101st-floor “Skyline 460” observation deck (in addition to 88, 89, and 91 floors): 3000 NT (100 USD) per person. You can book a discount ticket on Klook here.
Tours:
You can book tours to the Taipei 101 such as 101 Top Floor Tour and Dinner at Din Tai Fung, Taipei 101 Observation Deck activity, or Din Tai Fung and Hot Spring Experience on TripAdvisor here or Klook here.
Where to Stay in Taipei:
High end:
We have stayed at and recommend the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, once the tallest building in Taiwan and still the most grand (book on Booking.com here or Agoda here). We have also stayed at and recommend the Grand Hyatt (book on Booking.com here or Agoda here), Marriot (book on Booking.com here or Agoda here), Sheraton (book on Booking.com here or Agoda here), Shangri-la (book on Booking.com here or Agoda here), and Regent (book on Booking.com here or Agoda here), which are all very high-quality hotels in the middle of Taipei City.
We also recommend Fullon Hotel, which has locations in Tamsui and Fulong near the beach (book on Booking.com here or Agoda here).
Budget Hotels:
We have stayed at and also recommend Fu Chang Hotel in Ximending, which is within walking distance of Ximending shopping district (book on Booking.com here or Agoda here). We have also stayed at and recommend Hai Xia Your Home, which is right in front of Fulong Beach (book on Booking.com here or Agoda here).
Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan.
Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here.
How to get there:
Take the MRT red line to the Taipei 101/World Trade Center station. There is limited paid parking nearby.
By MRT: (Mass Rapid Transit, Metro train, subway) – Easily gets you around Taipei and Kaohsiung. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here.
By Taxi: You can take short rides for about 150 NT, or hire a Taxi for a day for around 150 USD.
By Car: If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here.
By Scooter: Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here.
By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan’s landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan’s many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here.
For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here.
Map:
Our Journey:
Food Court 美食區
Outlet Mall 購物廣場
Observatory 觀景台
88, 89, and 91, observatory floors: 600 NT (20 USD) per person. You can book a discount ticket on TripAdvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here.
101st-floor “Skyline 460” observation deck (in addition to 88, 89, and 91 floors): 3000 NT (100 USD) per person. You can book a discount ticket on Klook here.
You can book tours to the Taipei 101 such as 101 Top Floor Tour and Dinner at Din Tai Fung, Taipei 101 Observation Deck activity, or Din Tai Fung and Hot Spring Experience on TripAdvisor here or Klook here.
Last view of the screen downstairs.
High Speed Elevator 高速電梯
89th Floor Observation Deck 89樓觀景台
You can book a 101 Observation Deck activity for your kids onKlook here.
Damper 阻尼器
91st Floor Observatory Deck 91樓觀景台
101st Floor “Skyline 460” Observatory Deck 101樓觀景台
101st-floor “Skyline 460” observation deck (in addition to 88, 89, and 91 floors): 3000 NT (100 USD) per person. You can book a discount ticket on Klook here.
You can book tours to the Taipei 101 such as 101 Top Floor Tour and Dinner at Din Tai Fung, Taipei 101 Observation Deck activity, or Din Tai Fung and Hot Spring Experience on TripAdvisor here or Klook here.
Just had a meeting at the Starbucks on the 35th floor of the 101. Not easy to get into. Because I'm a big deal, this is how I roll pic.twitter.com/Wbd0Cn8pHu
— Foreigners in Taiwan 🇹🇼 外國人在台灣 (@foreignersinTW) August 1, 2017
Fountain Display 噴泉
More Views of the Taipei 101 最好的風景:
Guide to the Best Views of the Taipei 101
Four Four South Village 四四南村
Check out our full guide to 44 South Village here.
You can also book a tour of 44 South Village on TripAdvisor here.
88, 89, and 91, observatory floors: 600 NT (20 USD) per person. You can book a discount ticket on TripAdvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here.
101st-floor “Skyline 460” observation deck (in addition to 88, 89, and 91 floors): 3000 NT (100 USD) per person. You can book a discount ticket on Klook here.
You can book tours to the Taipei 101 such as 101 Top Floor Tour and Dinner at Din Tai Fung, Taipei 101 Observation Deck activity, or Din Tai Fung and Hot Spring Experience on TripAdvisor here or Klook here.
Check out our list of the best views of Taipei here.
Also be sure to check out our full guide to Taipei here.
You can also check out our full travel guide to Taiwan here.
