Taipei 101: Observation Deck Views, Tips & What to Expect
About Taipei 101
At one point, Taipei 101 was the tallest building in the world. Today, it is no longer the tallest building, with that title now belonging to the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. Construction on the massive Jeddah Tower in Saudi Arabia has resumed and is expected to surpass the Burj Khalifa when completed, which will push Taipei 101 even further down the list of the world’s tallest buildings. Even so, Taipei 101 remains one of the tallest and most iconic skyscrapers in the world and continues to dominate the Taipei skyline. The tower is easily accessible via the Taipei Metro, which has its own Taipei 101/World Trade Center 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 dishes from around Asia and the world. I began my visit by taking five escalators up to the fifth floor, where the Taipei 101 Observation Deck begins. During my visit, the ticket price was TWD 600 (about USD $20), although prices today can vary depending on time and ticket type.
Taipei 101: Observation Deck Views, Tips & What to Expect - Table of Contents
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World’s Fastest Elevator – Taipei 101
After walking through multiple gift shops and displays about Taipei 101, I passed through a security checkpoint and had my picture taken in front of a green screen. When it first opened, Taipei 101 held the record for the world’s fastest elevator, and even though newer towers have surpassed it, the ride is still incredibly impressive. The elevator reaches the 89th floor in just under 45 seconds, and its speed keeps the line moving efficiently, with each round trip taking only about two minutes.
Observation Deck of Taipei 101
Haze Over the Taipei Skyline at Sunset
I didn’t pick the best time to go to the top. It was the last stop on my first day in Taipei, just as the sun was setting. The low evening light created a thick haze that washed out much of the skyline. Even with the reduced visibility, the view was still fascinating in its own way. On clearer days, visitors often enjoy much sharper views thanks to improved air-quality measures around the city.
Taipei 101’s Shadow and Nearby Landmarks
As I walked around the observation deck, I tried to take in as much of Taipei as possible. One of the most interesting sights was Taipei 101’s shadow stretching dramatically across the city and landing on the nearby Nanshan Plaza building. Directly below, I could see a unique walking path with a swirling pattern in one of the plazas near the tower. As I moved from window to window, the twisting shape of Tao Zhu Yin Yuan (Agora Garden Tower) stood out immediately due to its unusual design.
Views Toward Taipei Dome, Songshan Airport, and Yangmingshan
Looking north, the visibility improved, and I could clearly see the Taipei Dome—now fully open and regularly hosting major events—as well as Songshan Airport and the city blocks surrounding both. Farther in the distance, I was able to see Yangmingshan and the rest of northern Taipei.
Aerial Views of Taipei’s Neighborhoods and Foothills
When I turned toward the other side of the tower, I had an aerial view of Taipei’s dense residential neighborhoods blending into the surrounding foothills. Even with the haze, the views from Taipei 101 showed just how large and varied the city really is.
Outdoor Observatory Closures Due to Weather
Taipei 101 features an outdoor observatory on floor 91. During my visit, the 91st-floor observatory was closed due to high winds. Today, it opens more frequently thanks to updated safety protocols, but it still occasionally closes depending on weather conditions. I hope to one day return to Taipei and be able to visit the 91st-floor observatory.
Crowd Levels and Overall Experience
The observation area of Taipei 101 wasn’t crowded, though I’m not sure whether that was due to the time of day or the elevator’s ability to move visitors quickly. I wandered through the space taking photos from every angle. Like many of the world’s tallest towers, Taipei 101 offers a large observatory, a restaurant, and the usual collection of overpriced souvenir shops.
Taipei 101 Tours
In my opinion, it is unnecessary to take a tour of Taipei 101. Getting there via the Taipei Metro is easy and straightforward, and there are employees stationed around the observation deck to answer questions. Still, I know some people prefer to be guided by a local expert. Because of this, I have listed a few Taipei 101 tours that include the tower as the main attraction or as part of a larger Taipei itinerary.
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.
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 vegetables and an excellent sauce. I struggled to eat it using only chopsticks.
Since I had not eaten since breakfast, I decided to eat a second meal — and 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 was that the server gave me a fork in addition to chopsticks, which made eating my meal much easier and more natural.
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