TAIPEI 101 QUICK FACTS  –

THE FIRST BUILDING IN THE WORLD TO BREAK THROUGH 500 METERS.

Upon its completion in 2004, Taipei 101 claimed several records: it had the world’s fastest elevator, was the world’s tallest building and was the world’s tallest structure, thanks to its spire. In 2017, it is still the tallest and largest green building in the world for its innovative and energy-saving design. Rich with symbolism and tradition, Taipei’s iconic landmark is a standing monument to ancient feng shui traditions and modern architecture.

From the shape of entrances to curving surfaces and colors, the building is designed to symbolize prosperity and good fortune. Even the neighborhood and sculptures in the park surrounding it are meant to support the landmark’s feng shui and to retain positive energy. The park is round to reinforce the idea that the tower is a giant sundial. The shape of the tower represents a stalk of bamboo reaching into the sky to connect heaven and earth.

The 101 floors represent adding one to the traditionally completed and perfect number of 100. It also represents the new year, which occurs on 1/01, as well as representing the digital language of binary. The eight sections of the tower are a nod to the auspicious number eight, which represents abundance and good fortune in Chinese culture.

61 elevators inside of the tower and all have atmospheric controls to keep passengers’ ears from popping. There are two high-speed elevators that lift visitors to the 89th viewing floor in just 37 seconds. Each of these high-speed elevators cost more than US$2 million.

In the evening, the building cycles through seven different colors of the rainbow, a symbol of renewal, with a new color for each day of the week.

On New Year’s Eve the building lights up floor by floor as the New Year’s countdown enters the final stage, making Taipei 101 the biggest New Year’s Eve countdown clock in the world. Fireworks set off immediately following the countdown. Visitors around the world flock to the area and watch fireworks shooting off one of the world’s tallest buildings.
French climber Alain Robert, nicknamed the “French Spider Man”, climbed Taipei 101 legally on Christmas Day in 2004. He is well-known for climbing many of the world’s tallest structures, including the Eiffel Tower, and Empire State Building. The challenge took him four hours to complete.

PLANNING TIPS –

There are so much to do in the nearby area. To get the most out of your trip, here are our suggestions.

Walk or bike to Taipei 101 from MADISON TAIPEI in approximately 12 minutes so you can pop into some local boutique stores or bakeries along the way. When you arrive, take some minutes to capture the scale and the enormity of the structure before heading down to Ding Tai Feng for the famous xiaolongbao on the basement floor. The lineup may take up to hours so take a number from the hostess and head to the ticket office on the fifth floor (The entrance for group visitors is on the basement floor). Follow the uniformed personnel’s instructions and make your way to the world’s fastest elevator.