Is Taipei 101 Worth it? Visiting Taipei’s Iconic Skyscraper
Towering above the city skyline, Taipei 101 is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Taiwan and for many travelers, it’s a must visit. But with ticket prices, long lines, and unpredictable weather, one big question comes up: is visiting Taipei 101 worth it?
In my opinion, after visiting Taipei 101 three times, it’s an unforgettable experience. In this Taipei 101 guide, I’ll break down everything you need to know before visiting.
Chances are, you will see Taipei 101 from the outside when visiting Taipei, but If you are trying to decide whether or not to buy tickets to the observation deck to Taipei 101 in your itinerary, this guide will help you with that decision.
And, to answer your question early on if Taipei 101 is worth it? My quick answer is absolutely!
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✅ Height: 508 meters or 1,667 ft, making Taipei 101, one of the world’s tallest buildings.
✅Floors: 101 floors above ground and 5 floors underground.
✅ Completed: December 31, 2004
✅ Former Record Holder: Taipei 101 was the tallest building in the world until the Burj Khalifa in Dubai was built in 2009. Taipei 101 currently ranks as the world’s eleventh tallest building. It is still the tallest building in Taiwan.
✅ Location: Xinyi District, the modern heart of Taipei.
✅ Observation Deck: Located on the 89th floor.
✅ Elevator Speed: One of the fastest elevators in the world, reaching the top in about 37 seconds.
✅ Design Inspiration: Modeled after a traditional bamboo stalk, symbolizing growth and prosperity. I learned that after watching Alex Honnold free climb Taipei 101.
✅ Wind Damper: Taipei 101 has the largest mass damper in the world and it is open for the public to see.
Is Taipei 101 Worth Visiting?
Short answer: Yes!
For first-time visitors to Taipei, Taipei is more than just a skyscraper, it’s a symbol of Taipei and one of the best locations to take in the full 360° view of the city.
It’s an engineering marvel that is a must visit for anyone in Taipei. I’ve been to Taipei several times and have visited the observation deck of Taipei 101, three times.
Standing at the base of Taipei 101, looking up, make you feel so small. It’s more of an experience when visiting Taipei 101. You get to ride on one of the world’s fastest elevators, see the massive damper, and see the beautiful city of Taipei from above.
Taipei 101 is absolutely worth visiting and I highly recommend it, especially if you are visiting Taipei for the first time.
Guide to Visiting Taipei 101
If you are visiting Taipei for your first time and have plans to visit Taipei 101, I created this guide to cover all the basics to your visit to include tips and additional information on Taipei 101.
How to get to Taipei 101
Getting to Taipei 101 is easy and straightforward, thanks to Taipei’s efficient public transport system.
The simplest option is the MRT:
- Take the Tamsui-Xinyi Line, Red Line to Taipei 101/World Center Station (R03).
You can also reach Taipei 101 by bus or taxi, but the MRT is the fastest and cheapest option.
Admission and Hours
Below you can find the latest admission rates and hours for visiting Taipei 101.
For the latest prices, hours, and getting to the 5th floor, I recommend visiting the official Taipei 101 website.
Admission
General Ticket: NT$600
This includes visiting Floors 88F and 89F.
Skyline460: NT$3,000
This includes Floors 88F, 89F, and the Outdoor on the 101st Floor.
Hours
Observatory: Monday – Sunday 10:00 – 21:00 (Last Admission is 20:15)
Mall: Sunday – Thursday 11:00 – 21:30.
Friday, Saturday, and Holidays 11:00 – 22:00
You can purchase tickets to Taipei 101 at the official ticket country on the 5th floor or in advance online.
Booking ahead not only saves time, but it guarantees you a time slot and sometimes offers small discounts or bundle deals.
👉 Ways to Save:
- Book through platforms like Get Your Guide or Klook.
- Look for bundle deals that are offered with other Taipei attractions.
The Elevator
Normally, I wouldn’t write about an elevator but the elevator inside Taipei 101 is unique and one of a kind!
The elevator was built by Toshiba and according to the Toshiba website, the elevator runs at speeds of 1,010meters a minute which is equivalent to 60.6 km/h.
The elevator starts at the 5th-floor where the ticket counter is and reaches the observation deck on the 89th-floor in just 37 seconds! I’ve been in elevators that take just as long to go just a couple of floors, it is truly impressive!
The elevator can carry 24 passengers and is really smooth, you don’t get a sense of how fast it really is outside of your ears popping.
88th & 89th-Floor Observation Deck
The main reason to visit Taipei 101 is to get a chance to take the elevator up to the 89th-floor observation deck. At the observation deck, you get a 360-degree view of Taipei. The large windows make it easy to take photos and enjoy the views.
There are other fun features and facilities on the 89th-floor. There are magnification telescopes, photo services, and seasonal themes.
On the 88th-floor of Taipei 101, there is a cafe called Simple Kaffa. Here you can relax with a coffee and enjoy the views.
Of course, on the 88th floor there is the famous wind-damper that is one of the top highlights of visiting Taipei 101.
Tuned Mass Damper
One of the most fascinating things inside Taipei 101 is the massive tuned or wind damper. This 660-ton golden sphere suspends between the upper floors. It does look futuristic and actually serves a critical and important purpose.
The damper is designed to help stabilize the skyscraper during weather events like strong winds and earthquakes, both very common in Taiwan.
As the building itself sways, the damper moves in the opposite direction to counteract the motion which reduces vibrations and sway, making the building safe.
The damper is fully visible to the public which is unique. You can walk around the damper. There is a cool video in the room that shows the damper at work during a strong earthquake that happened a few years ago.
Mall & Food Court
At the base of Taipei 101, you’ll find a massive multi-level mall. The mall is free to enter and perfect for if you are looking for things to do in Taipei on a rainy day.
I’ve been to the mall and food court several times although not necessarily to shop, but to catch a break from sightseeing.
The mall here leans more toward luxury shopping, you can find all the expensive and big name brands here. Again, I am not a shopper, but I enjoy the cleanliness and design of the mall.
The highlight for me is the food court. Here you can find a huge variety of both Taiwanese and international options at a reasonable price. It’s convenient with great options, perfect before making your way up to the observation deck.
Best Photo Spots of Taipei 101
If you are looking to capture photos of Taipei 101 from afar, here are a few of my favorite photography spots.
- Street-level in Xinyi District: If you simply walk around the Xinyi District, you’ll see glimpses of Taipei 101 almost everywhere.
- Zhongshan Park: At Zhongshan Park in Taipei, you can get great close up shots of Taipei 101. If you walk around the park, you can capture the refection on the skyscraper in the ponds, or get the Taiwan flag in the photo.
- Elephant Mountain (Xiangshan): Perhaps my favorite location and one of the most popular viewpoints of the skyline is what we know it as Elephant Mountain. There are many viewing platforms to get that iconic shot of Taipei 101.
Conclusion
Is Taipei 101 worth it? The simple answer is yes! Especially if you are a first time visitor to Taipei. The views, engineering behind the skyscraper, and overall experience make visiting Taipei 101 a must visit attraction while in Taipei.
It’s one thing to see Taipei 101 in person from the outside, but getting the full experience from riding the elevator to seeing the giant damper, it’s a one of a kind attraction.
I’ve been to other scrapers around the world, like the Petronas Towers in Malaysia or Tokyo’s Skytree, and Taipei 101 remains one of my favorite buildings in the world.
Have you been to Taipei 101? If so, how was your experience? Do you know of any other locations or have recommendations for photo spots around Taipei? Let us know in the comments. Safe Travels!
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