Tuntex Sky Tower Observatory is a high-altitude viewing deck on the 74th and 75th floors of the 85-story T&C Tower in Kaohsiung's Lingya District; the tower stands 378 meters tall including its antenna, with 85 floors above ground and 5 below, and was completed in 1997 as Taiwan's tallest building at the time and Asia's third tallest.
Construction of the Tuntex & Chien-Tai Tower began in 1989 and took about 8 years due to foundation issues, completing in 1997 at a height of 378 meters including its antenna (347.5 meters to the roof), with 85 floors above ground and 5 below; it was Taiwan's first skyscraper fitted with a wind damper, and on completion it was Taiwan's tallest building and Asia's third-tallest, behind Hong Kong's CITIC Tower and Sun Hung Kai Centre. The building was designed by C.Y. Lee & Partners, its silhouette shaped after the Chinese character for 'tall.' (Sources: Wikipedia entry on Kaohsiung 85 Sky Tower, C.Y. Lee & Partners official site)
Highlights of T&C Tower Observatory
The Tuntex 85 International Plaza was completed in 1997 and was once the tallest building in Taiwan. The building rises 85 floors above ground, with the rooftop parapet shaped to form the Chinese character 高 — a design concept rooted in local identity. The observatory levels span the 74th and 75th floors, with an enclosed viewing corridor and some outdoor viewing areas, providing a complete bird's-eye view of the Kaohsiung metropolitan basin. By day you can identify Shoushan and Chaishan ridge lines; on clear days the silhouette of Qijin Peninsula is visible in the distance.
The observatory's greatest advantage is its unobstructed 360-degree view. Looking west, you face the main channel of Kaohsiung Harbor and the Qihou Mountain lighthouse; looking north, you overlook Lotus Pond in Zuoying; looking east, the terrain extends to the hills of Renwu and Dashu; looking south, you see the runways of Siaogang Airport and the coastal industrial zone of Linyuan. The hour before dusk offers the softest light and is the ideal window for photographing the harbor at sunset.
How to make the most of your visit
Practical information
Getting there & hours
- Walk about 10 minutes from MRT Orange Line Sanduo Shopping District Station (O5), or take a taxi to the main entrance on Ziqiang 3rd Road.
- Observatory opening hours and ticket prices are subject to the T&C Tower's official announcements; calling ahead to confirm before visiting is recommended.
- The building has its own car park; drivers can enter from Ziqiang 3rd Road or the Guanghua 2nd Road intersection.
Nearby connections
- The Sanduo shopping district and Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store are nearby — easy to add afternoon tea or dinner.
- Walking to Central Park Station (O6) and taking the MRT north connects you to Formosa Boulevard Station and attractions around the Love River.
Sources: public information and on-site tour materials from Tuntex 85 International Plaza. Photos pending Dio's own shots.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which floors is the observatory on?
The observatory occupies the 74th and 75th floors of the tower.
How tall is the T&C Tower?
It stands 378 meters tall including its antenna (347.5 meters to the roof), with 85 floors above ground and 5 below.
Was the T&C Tower once Taiwan's tallest building?
Yes — on completion in 1997 it was Taiwan's tallest building, a title it held until Taipei 101 opened.
Sources
- 高雄85大樓 — 維基百科條目
- 高雄東帝士85國際廣場 — 李祖原聯合建築師事務所官網