The Observation Deck of Taipei 101
About Taipei 101
At one point, Taipei 101 was the tallest building in the world. Today, it is no longer the tallest building in the world with that title now going to the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. In a few years, when the Kingdom Tower in Saudi Arabia opens and becomes the tallest building in the world, Taipei 101 will find itself tenth on the list. Taipei 101 is easily accessible via the metro from its own metro station. When I entered Taipei 101 at the ground level, I first came into the Taipei 101 mall. The mall is filled with high-end shopping and features an excellent food court with Taiwanese cuisine as well as other options from around Asia and the world. I began my visit by taking five escalators up to the fifth floor. That is where the Taipei 101 observation deck starts. The trip to the 89th floor costs TWD$600 ($20).
Taipei 101 - Table of Contents
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World's Fastest Elevator - Taipei 101
After walking through multiple gift shops and past various facts about Taipei 101, I went through a security checkpoint and had my picture taken behind a green screen. Taipei 101 features the world’s fastest elevator. It takes just under 45 seconds to reach the 89th floor. The fast elevator caused the line to move very quickly as each round trip in the elevator only took about two minutes.
Observation Deck of Taipei 101
I did not pick the right time to go to the top. It was my final activity on my first day in Taipei. The sun was setting, and the skyline of Taipei was difficult to see due to the haze reflecting the sunlight. It definitely would have been a go view had the sun not been at the angle that it was. Taipei 101 features an outside observatory on floor 93. Unfortunately, the 93rd-floor observatory was not open due to high winds. I will be back in Taipei at the end of my trip and am hoping it will be open then.
The observation area was not crowded. I am not sure if this was due to the time of day or the rate that the elevator transfers people to the top. I walked around and took as many pictures as I could. I have been to the top of many of the world’s tallest buildings, and Taipei 101 was similar to all of them. There was a very nice observation area, a restaurant, as well as many overpriced souvenir shops.
Taipei 101 Tours
In my opinion, it is extremely unnecessary to take a tour of Taipei 101. Getting there via the Taipei Metro is easy and straight forward and there are employees station around the observation desk to answer questions. Still, I know some people prefer to be guided by a local expert. Because of this, I have listed a few tours that have Taipei 101 as either the main attraction or one of the many attractions.
I am an affiliate partner of Viator. If you book a tour using one of the links below I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I would greatly appreciate it if you would consider booking using one of my links.
Prices are accurate as of May 2023.
 Skip the Line for Taipei 101 Skyline 460 Ticket - $94.62 Learn about its state-of-the-art technology and innovative, architectural design along the way. Once at the top, "walk along the clouds" safely with proper safety equipment and capture the moment. After you've come down from your high, enjoy exclusive entrance to Bar88 where you will sip innovative drinks and enjoy panoramic views from the 88th floor. |
 Taipei Day Tour including Taipei 101, Din Tai Fung and Hot Spring Experience - $184.62 Discover the Zen of Taipei! We'll start at the top, literally, with a high-altitude view of everything from the observatory of Taipei 101. You'll have ample time to both learn about the building itself and take in the gorgeous views of your surroundings. Afterward, we'll head downstairs for a leisurely lunch at Michelin rated Din Tai Fung, where you'll eat your fill of the restaurant's world famous xiao long bao (soup dumplings). After lunch, we'll take you to the geothermic Beitou district, home to Taipei's best Japanese style bath houses, first used as centers of entertainment and leisure by Japanese colonial officials then kamikaze pilots on the night before their final missions. You'll soak in the area's healing waters for an hour before being brought back to your accommodation. |
 Taipei 101 Top Floor Tour and Dinner at Din Tai Fung - $115.65 See Taipei from new heights! After meeting at Taipei 101, walk just one block to Four Four South Village and explore how Taiwan preserves its culture and adapts to the new world at this old military village turned young art museum. Then, return to 101 and begin your journey up to one of the tallest buildings in the world. Learn about its state-of-the-art technology and innovative, architectural design along the way. Once at the top, "walk along the clouds" safely with proper safety equipment and capture the moment. After you've come down from your high, enjoy exclusive entrance to Bar88 where you will sip innovative drinks and enjoy panoramic views from the 88th floor. Finish the evening at Taipei's most iconic restaurant, famous for its soup dumplings (xiaolongbao). Experience the MyTaiwanTour difference! |
The Food Court - Taipei 101 Mall
Following my visit to the Taipei 101 Observatory, I had two excellent meals at the food court. The first one was a skirt steak rice bowl with some vegetables and an excellent sauce. I struggled to eat it with only using chopsticks. I decided since I had not eaten since breakfast to eat a second meal. This one was even more fun. My second meal featured steak, rice, and vegetables that were self-cooked on my own sizzling cast iron plate. The best part of meal two was that the server gave me a fork in addition to chopsticks which made eating my meal much more natural.
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