Taipei 101 is a 508-meter, 101-story skyscraper in Taipei's Xinyi District that officially opened on December 31, 2004, and long held the title of the world's tallest building. The indoor observation deck on the 89th floor and the outdoor observation deck on the 91st floor let visitors take in the contours of the Greater Taipei Basin under varying weather conditions, and the tower houses a 660-metric-ton tuned mass damper that can reduce building sway by up to about 40 percent. New Year's Eve fireworks are launched from this building, making it the centerpiece of Taiwan's largest year-end city celebration.
Taipei 101 stands 508 meters tall with 101 floors and officially opened on December 31, 2004, holding the title of the world's tallest building; its 660-metric-ton steel pendulum tuned mass damper, built at a cost of about NT$132 million, can reduce the tower's sway by up to roughly 40 percent.
Highlights of Taipei 101
Taipei 101 was completed and opened in 2004. Standing 508 meters tall, it features a bamboo-joint exterior design that symbolizes continual growth while also incorporating engineering considerations to withstand Taiwan's earthquakes and typhoons. Designed by architect C.Y. Lee, the building uses an eight-section segmented facade combined with traditional Chinese auspicious number concepts, blending local culture with modern skyscraper engineering.
The 89th-floor indoor observation deck is equipped with a multilingual commentary system; on clear days you can clearly make out the Tamsui River, the Keelung River basin, and the surrounding mountain ridges. The 91st-floor outdoor observation deck is windier and open subject to weather conditions, offering a close-up sense of the city's scale. Inside the building there is a damper exhibition area where you can see the 660-metric-ton spherical tuned mass damper.
How to make the most of your visit
Practical information
Getting there and time needed
- Take the MRT Bannan Line to Taipei 101/World Trade Center Station; the building entrance is about a 5-minute walk from the exit.
- Opening hours and ticket prices for the observation decks are subject to official website announcements and may be adjusted around public holidays and New Year's Eve.
- Purchasing tickets online in advance is recommended; on-site queues vary significantly depending on peak season.
Nearby connections
- The Xinyi Special District is close to Taipei City Library Xinyi Branch, Sisinan Village, and other attractions that can be visited on foot as part of the same itinerary.
- The area has a dense concentration of department stores. Taipei World Trade Center holds exhibitions periodically — check current events in advance.
Source: Taipei 101 official information and public data. Photos to be replaced with Dio's own shots.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Taipei 101 open?
Taipei 101 officially opened on December 31, 2004, and held the record for the world's tallest building at the time.
How heavy is Taipei 101's damper?
The tuned mass damper weighs 660 metric tons, cost about NT$132 million to build, and can reduce building sway by up to roughly 40 percent.
What's the difference between the 89th and 91st floor observation decks?
The 89th floor is an indoor deck viewed through glass, while the 91st floor is an unobstructed outdoor deck subject to weather and wind restrictions; the two require different tickets.
Sources
- Taipei 101 - Wikipedia — 樓高、啟用日期、阻尼器規格
- Largest tuned mass damper - Guinness World Records — 阻尼器重量與造價交叉驗證