Always5Star Guide To The Taiwan - Taipei 101 Building

If you research a trip to Taipei, you will see many mentions of the iconic Taipei 101 Building. It’s a place that many travelers say is a “Must See” while visiting Taiwan.

While I was excited to see this building in person, the idea of crowds of tourists and long lines was not appealing. As a top tourist destination, the building attracts tons of people all day, every day.

Here are some interesting facts about the Taipei 101 Building:

Located in the Xinyi District in Taipei, Taiwan, its one of the world’s tallest buildings.
Construction of the building began in 1999 and was complete in 2004.
It features 101 floors above ground plus 5 basement levels.
The building was designed to withstand typhoon winds as well as shaking from earthquakes.
The observatory deck allows visitors an unobstructed view of the city. Art exhibits often take place here.
The world’s largest and heaviest wind damper with a diameter reaching 5.5 m (18 feet) and a weight of 660 tons. It is the only operational wind damper in the world available for public viewing!! It looked like a piece of art to me!

The design of the building is influenced by Chinese culture with the pagoda form and bamboo flower shapes. It also incorporates the number 8 which holds the meaning of success.
Blue- green curtain walls offer UV protection which helps block external heat.
There are 66 elevators which move from the fifth floor to the 89th floor in less than 40 seconds.
There are also two high-speed elevators, with the speed of 1010 m/min, are equipped with the most advance high-tech components. Considered to be one of the fastest in the world!
A multi-story retail mall features restaurants and shops for tourists and locals.

I decided that if I could figure out a way to avoid the crowds, I’d go. I investigated the best way to enjoy this landmark to make it enjoyable and stress free.

See below the tips on how to avoid crowds!

Here are my 5StarTips for visiting the 101 Building in Taipei:

🌟 Monday’s are the best day to avoid the crowds.

🌟 Go first thing in the morning when they open. Check online or ask the concierge at your hotel about the times. My husband and I walked up to the ticket counter, bought our tickets and immediately got into the elevator to reach the top of the building. Typically there are very long lines. By going early, we avoided the rush.

🌟 As soon as you reach to the top, head to the back and make your way forward. Most tourist groups stand in the elevator area, creating what seems to be an overwhelming crowd. The best views are at the back and the tourist groups don’t seem to head in this direction. Fabulous views, and you don’t have to worry about swarms of people.

🌟 After you are done admiring the sweeping city views, spend time exploring the shops and the mall area located on the first 4 floors of the building. This is a lovely and upscale shopping experience. We enjoyed strolling around the building and admiring the beautiful displays and architecture inside the building.

🌟 There are several wonderful Always5Star restaurants to enjoy on the first few levels of the building. Of course, my favorite and Always5Star recommend was the chocolate one, called Jean-Paul Hévin!

There is also a famous dumpling restaurant called Ding Tai Fung. I was told that it is essential to make reservations here because the lines can get very long. Since I didn’t make a reservation, we didn’t end up eating here but from the amount of people waiting to get in, it must be fantastic! Plan ahead and arrive early. If you go, let me know how you enjoy it!

Be sure to stroll around the mall for all the decor too!

Final Thoughts:

I am so glad that I experienced this phenomenal building and appreciated the incredible views of Taipei. By avoiding the massive crowds, we were able to have a relaxing stroll through the building and take in those jaw dropping views of the city. A visit to the Taipei 101 Building is worth your time!