Taipei 101 Guide

What is Taipei 101?

I’ve been up Taipei 101 a few times on different trips, and I always suggest it for anyone visiting Taipei for the first time. Standing 508 meters tall with 101 floors, it was once the tallest building in the world and remains the most iconic landmark across Taiwan.

Built on a seismic zone, it features one of the world’s largest tuned mass dampers — a 660-ton giant steel sphere suspended between the 87th and 92nd floors to counteract sway from strong winds. Whether you come for the 360-degree panoramic views from the observation deck, luxury shopping at the mall, or fine dining at high-altitude restaurants, it is an unmissable experience on any Taipei trip.

From the observation deck, you get a full 360-degree view over the Taipei Basin and the surrounding mountain ranges, and on clear days you can even see the Taiwan Strait in the distance. Beyond the views, you can see the 660-ton tuned mass damper up close, and ride the ultra-high-speed elevators that take visitors from the 5th floor to the 89th-floor observation deck in only 37 seconds.

Taipei 101 Observation Decks: Floor-by-Floor Guide

The observation experience spans multiple floors, each with a different focus and atmosphere.

89F Indoor Observation Deck

This is the most visited floor, sitting 382 meters above ground with a full 360-degree panoramic view of Taipei. It has floor-to-ceiling windows around the entire perimeter, and dedicated photo windows designed to minimize glass reflection for clearer pictures. There is also a rainbow neon area, a popular photo spot that looks especially striking after dark when paired with the city lights below.

From April 2 to August 31, the 89F deck hosts a limited-time special exhibition in partnership with a popular original Taiwanese illustration IP, they took "MondayBruce," the melancholy little rabbit with deep dark circles under its eyes that perfectly embodies the feelings of office workers, to an altitude of 382 meters.

91F Outdoor Observation Deck

This open-air observation deck is currently closed for renovation and is scheduled to reopen in 2027. When operational, it opens on clear weather days and offers unobstructed 360-degree views. You can feel the wind and sunlight at high altitude, an experience you cannot get from the indoor deck.

101F Secret Garden & Skyline Experience

The 101st floor features the Secret Garden, designed with 360-degree surrounding mirrored walls that reflect the sky, clouds and sunlight, making you feel like you are standing in a garden floating above the clouds. There is also a raised viewing platform to take in wider views of the surrounding mountains and the cityscape below.

For a more immersive experience, you can book the Skyline ticket, which grants access to the 460-meter-high outdoor platform — the highest 360-degree open-air observation platform in Asia. It delivers a far more thrilling and unobstructed view than the indoor deck.

Taipei 101 Building & Engineering Highlights

Taipei 101 was designed by renowned Taiwanese architect C.Y. Lee, with the auspicious number “eight” as the core design principle. Each eight floors form one self-contained structural unit, stacked upward to create the building’s signature rhythmic, tiered exterior. Built to overcome the challenges of both typhoons and earthquakes, it stands as a symbol of Taiwan’s engineering strength. This design serves both aesthetic and practical purposes: beyond its visual appeal, it naturally disperses wind airflow generated by the tall structure, improving pedestrian safety and comfort at ground level.

• The most famous engineering feature is its tuned mass damper, commonly called the wind damper. It is one of the largest of its kind in the world. This 660-ton giant steel sphere is suspended at the center of the building between the 87th and 92nd floors. It is a passive damping system custom-built for Taipei 101, designed mainly to reduce building sway caused by strong winds. Unlike most traditional dampers that are fully hidden inside building structures, this one balances function and appearance, so visitors can see how it operates from the observation deck.
• The building is fitted with two top-tier ultra-high-speed elevators for observation deck access. They reach a climbing speed of 1,010 meters per minute, traveling from the 5th floor to the 89th floor in just 37 seconds. The cabins are equipped with internal pressure control systems, built-in dampers and high-temperature ceramic braking systems for stable, comfortable and safe operation.
• There is also the Infinite Sky Mirror installation on the observation deck. It uses special mirror reflection, with layered reflections from the ceiling and floor, creating a visually endless experience as if you are inside a kaleidoscope. One practical note: visitors wearing short skirts should be mindful of the mirrored floor.

Taipei 101 Ticket Options & Trip.com Deals

Price Disclaimer: All prices listed are approximate reference values for general guidance only. Actual prices may vary due to promotions, seasonal adjustments, booking platform policies, and exchange rate fluctuations. Final pricing, availability and terms are always subject to the official booking page at the time of purchase.

How to Get to Taipei 101

Taipei 101 location: 89th Floor, No. 7, Section 5, Xinyi Road, Xinyi District, Taipei City

MRT (Most Recommended)

Take the Xinyi Line (Red Line) to Taipei 101/World Trade Center Station. Exit 4 leads directly into the building.
You can also take the Bannan Line (Blue Line) to Taipei City Hall Station. It is about a 10-minute walk from Exit 2 to Taipei 101.

If you plan to use public transport around Taipei, I recommend getting an EasyCard. It is a contactless smart card similar to Hong Kong’s Octopus card or Japan’s Suica card. First launched in 2002, it has become one of the main electronic payment tools in Taiwan. It works on all MRT lines, buses, and also at convenience stores, supermarkets, restaurants and parking lots, making daily travel much more convenient.

Bus

Multiple bus routes stop near Taipei 101, including routes serving Taipei City Hall, World Trade Center, Xinyi Administrative Center and Grand Hyatt Taipei.

Driving

Taipei 101 has a paid public parking lot inside the shopping mall. It is located in the city center, and you can navigate directly to Taipei 101 Mall. Parking spaces fill up quickly on weekends and holidays.

Taipei 101 Dining & Souvenir Picks

There is a wide range of dining and shopping options inside Taipei 101, from casual snacks to high-end sit-down restaurants.

Din Tai Fung (Taipei 101 Branch)

Din Tai Fung is the most internationally renowned restaurant brand from Taiwan, best known for its xiaolongbao (soup dumplings). Founded by Yang Bing-yi and his wife in 1972, it grew from a small cooking oil shop into a global dining legend. Its signature dumplings are made with the “golden 18-fold” technique — each dumpling has exactly 18 delicate folds, with thin translucent skin and rich savory broth inside. Popular menu items also include shrimp fried rice, spicy wontons and crab roe dumplings.
Din Tai Fung was named one of the world’s top 10 restaurants by The New York Times, ranked 2nd on CNN’s list of the world’s best global chains, and has received one Michelin star. The open kitchen lets you watch chefs make dumplings by hand, which is part of the experience itself.
Trip.com sells an exclusive Din Tai Fung meal set for the 101 branch. You do not need to book a specific time in advance — you can visit whenever fits your schedule.

Bluebird Travel

This popular Taiwanese souvenir brand has a counter on the B1 level of the Taipei 101 mall. Their signature filled egg rolls come in flavors like classic pork floss, sesame paste and peanut grains, making them great take-home souvenirs. The store is open Sunday to Thursday 11:00–21:30, and 11:00–22:00 on Friday, Saturday and days before public holidays.

Random

A high-altitude Italian restaurant originating from Tianmu, with panoramic night views of Taipei. It operates on the philosophy that the best flavors come from the original taste of quality ingredients.

85th Floor 捌伍添第

Located on the 85th floor, this restaurant serves modern Chinese cuisine made with local Taiwanese produce, following a sustainable dining philosophy.

Taipei 101 Practical Visiting Tips

• The best time to visit is 1 to 2 hours before sunset. You will get to see the city in daylight, watch the sunset, and then see the city lights turn on for the night view, all in one trip.
• Weekday mornings and early afternoons have the smallest crowds. Weekends, public holidays and evening hours are usually much busier.
• If you want to do the Skyline experience, book in advance, as daily spots are limited.
• The Infinite Sky Mirror area has mirrored floors, so visitors wearing short skirts may want to plan accordingly.
• Paid lockers are available on B1 and the 1st floor if you need to store luggage or personal belongings.
• Operating schedules for special exhibitions and facilities may be adjusted temporarily for maintenance or events without prior notice.

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