Taipei 101 is the symbol of the city: a 508-metre tower in the Xinyi district, designed to echo a stack of bamboo segments or pagoda tiers, which held the title of the world’s tallest building when it opened in 2004. Its observatory on the 89th floor gives a full 360-degree view over the Taipei basin, from the Tamsui River and the old western districts to the green ridges of Elephant Mountain right outside the windows. The ride up is part of the show: the lift climbs from the fifth-floor entrance to the observatory in about 37 seconds. Inside the tower hangs the huge golden tuned mass damper, a steel sphere that counters typhoon winds and earthquakes, and when the weather is kind the outdoor deck above the observatory opens too.
How it works: tickets are for a set date and are collected at the observatory ticket desk on the fifth floor of the Taipei 101 mall, using the voucher on your phone. The Tiqets ticket covers the 89th-floor observatory and is nonrefundable, so pick your day with the forecast in mind. The observatory opens late morning and runs into the evening, with last entry 45 minutes before closing.
What to expect: the indoor deck wraps around the tower with audio commentary, photo spots and the damper viewing area. Queues build in the late afternoon as people time their visit for sunset, and on cloudy or rainy days the view can disappear entirely, which is common in winter. Premium experiences higher up the tower are sold separately at the building.
Making the most of it: check the cloud cover before you go and aim for a clear morning or the hour before sunset. Pair it with the Elephant Mountain trail, a short walk away, for the classic view of the tower itself, then eat in the food court in the basement of the mall or explore the Xinyi shopping district.
What to expect
The experience
A timed observatory ticket for the 89th floor, with the outdoor deck open in good weather.
Best time
A clear morning, or the hour before sunset on a dry day.
How long
One to two hours, including the queue for the lift.
Tips
Check the cloud cover before you go; the ticket cannot be changed or refunded.
Quick picks
- Best for
- First-timers who want the whole city laid out below them.
- Families
- Kids love the record-breaking lift and the giant golden damper.
- Couples
- A sunset visit, then dinner in the Xinyi district.
- Pair with
- Elephant Mountain for the view back at the tower.
- Time needed
- About ninety minutes.
Good questions
Which floor is the Taipei 101 observatory on?+
The main indoor observatory is on the 89th floor; an outdoor deck above it opens when the weather allows.
How fast is the lift?+
It climbs from the fifth-floor entrance to the observatory in about 37 seconds.
Can I change my ticket date?+
No, this ticket is nonrefundable and cannot be rescheduled, so check the forecast first.
Where do I enter?+
On the fifth floor of the Taipei 101 mall, where you exchange your phone voucher at the ticket desk.
Is it worth it on a cloudy day?+
Low cloud can hide the view completely, so a clear day is much better value.
