VISITING TAIPEI 101: AN INSIDER’S travel guide

Last Updated: 10/10/20 | October 10th, 2020

I’m frightened of heights. It’s not so much being high up that scares me, it’s much more the worry of falling. Hike with me up a mountain as well as view me stay far away from any type of edge.

I when went hiking with a sweetheart as well as made her get away from the edge since it freaked me out as well much. She laughed at me however I was visibly scared. Driving along winding mountain roads likewise freaks me out. I can’t sit on the road side of the car. many of the time I will just close my eyes as well as try not to freak out!

I only got over my worry of roller coasters a few years ago. any type of indication of turbulence in an airplane as well as my white knuckles get the seat.

Essentially, I don’t like being high up.

(The truth that a person time my airplane dropped 20,000 feet in a matter of moments didn’t assist things, either!)

So it was with a bit worry as well as nervousness that I went to go see one of the tallest buildings in the world: Taipei 101.

Construction on the tower began in 1999 as well as was completed in 2004. From then up until the opening of the Burj Khalifa in 2010 it was the tallest building in the world, standing a whopping 509 meters. The building is developed to endure both earthquakes as well as typhoons, making the tower one of the most structurally noise buildings in the country – if not the world. In fact, an earthquake occurred during building which toppled cranes as well as killed 5 people, however the building itself was undamaged.

The building itself kind of appears like a large pagoda or a stalk of bamboo, stretching far above any type of other buildings in the city. On new Year’s Eve, an legendary fireworks show explodes from the building, which can be seen all across the city.

Even though I don’t like heights, Taipei 101 is really a sight to behold. I went to the building on my extremely last day living in Taiwan, as well as it was majestic. I’ve always seen the building as I moved with the city as well as I’ve been near it as there are a number of clubs in the surrounding district, however I’d never really gone to see inside it or even seen it in daylight.

But there it was rising up from the city in a wave of green. It’s like a rocket ship.

Taipei 101 is one of the most outstanding contemporary structure I’ve ever seen (and I online in NYC, so I’m familiar with legendary buildings!). It rises up as well as towers over the surrounding area. 101 is a lovely building developed like a bamboo reed.

Construction began in 1997 as well as was completed in 2004. It’s the tallest building in the world (well, it was up until the one in Dubai was developed as well as now an even taller structure is going to beat that) and, well, I can’t state this enough, rather impressive. It’s a extremely high-end building, as well as its offices as well as apartments are for those with money.

There’s likewise the Taipei 101 mall, where you’ll discover stores like Dolce as well as Gabana, Prada, Armani, Gucci, as well as numerous high-end restaurants. On my last night, I did eat at the sushi restaurant here, as well as though it expense me a fortune, it was the very best meal I had in Taiwan.

Visitors can head as much as the 88th–91st floors as well as take a look outside at the surrounding city as well as mountains. Being the sadist I am, I purchased my ticket, waited in line, as well as headed up the elevator. The elevator trip is really truly fun. There’s a screen that shows exactly how quick you’re moving as well as where you are in the building. It takes about 30 seconds to go from bottom to top. I even felt my ears pop a bit since you are going so high up! I imply that is insane!

Getting as much as the 89th floor, I got to see Taipei as well as the surrounding area in all its glory. It took me about 10 minutes before I even got as much as the glass, however when I did, I saw exactly how lovely Taipei is from above. The city kind of reminded me of the game Sim City. all of the buildings, apartments, as well as industrial zones are laid out so completely that they practically seem synthetic from above.

After walking around as well as discovering about the history of the area, I headed as much as the 91st floor, where you can really go outside. There are significant bars making sure people don’t autumn or jump off, as well as the wind really produces a loud pitch when it moves with the bars. The view isn’t that excellent since the iron bars kind of block your view, however you can get a great view of the tower that makes 101 the tallest building in the world.

It likewise took me about 10 minutes to get to the edge as well as after a photo, I crawled best back to the center.

What I truly liked seeing was the building’s earthquake dampener. Down on the 88th floor, this huge metal sphere in the middle of the building is developed to assist take in any type of sway frompowerful winds or earthquakes. Leading as much as the sphere is this extremely great floor that is touch sensitive. When you walk over it, clouds vanish to show Taipei. I handled to get an okay video, however the trip groups that kept walking by me always got in my shot. inspect it out:

(It took me a while however eventually, I made my method towards the window for the view. Yes, my worry is so irrational that I will am frightened to go to the edge while inside a building!)

Overall, Taipei 101 was stunning. It’s outstanding to see. It’s beautiful. as well as it’s truly outstanding to believe that people made that. When you think about the innovation as well as new believing that had to go into it, it makes your jaw drop. It’s by far one of the most outstanding things I’ve ever seen, as well as at night, when it’s all lit up, it’s still surreal.

The next time you’re in Taiwan, be sure to see Tapei 101. You’ll be sorry if you don’t!
 

How to see Taipei 101

The tower’s address is No. 7, section 5, Xinyi Road, Xinyi District. The Observatory is open everyday from 9am-10pm, with last ticket sale at 9:15pm. Tickets are 600 NT$ for adults as well as 540 NT$ for trainees as well as youngsters (but totally free for little kids under 115cm).

If you’re going there to view the sunset, just make sure to get there early as it can in some cases get hectic during the summertime months.

You can get much more info at the tower’s official website.

Book Your trip to Taiwan: Logistical suggestions as well as Tricks
Book Your Flight
Use Skyscanner or Momondo to discover a affordable flight. They are my two preferred browse engines since they browse sites as well as airlines around the globe so you always understand no stone is left unturned. begin with Skyscanner very first though since they have the most significant reach!

Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the most significant stock as well as finest deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, utilize Booking.com as they consistently return the most affordable rates for guesthouses as well as affordable hotels. My preferred locations to stay are:

Formosa 101

Meander Taipei

Don’t fail to remember travel Insurance
Travel insurance coverage will safeguard you against illness, injury, theft, as well as cancellations. It’s extensive security in situation anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to utilize it numerous times in the past. My preferred business that offer the very best service as well as value are:

Safety Wing (for everybody below 70)

Insure My trip (for those over 70)

Medjet (for extra repatriation coverage)

Looking for the very best business to save money With?
Check out my resource page for the very best business to utilize when you travel. I listing all the ones I utilize to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.