Taipei 101

Taipei 101 stands at the heart of Xinyi District. Its segmented, bamboo-like form symbolises rising step by step, and it is clad in a blue-green glass curtain wall. From a distance its stacked facade takes on different tones in sunlight and cloud shadow. The observatory on the 89th floor looks down over the Taipei Basin, with very different views by day and by night. The surrounding Xinyi shopping district has restaurants, arts events and shopping, along with city celebrations such as the annual New Year's Eve fireworks. On clear days the observatory looks out to the Datun mountains, the mouth of the Tamsui River and the street grid of Xinyi District; at night the city lights spread out like stars. Visitors can also sign up for Skyline 460, an outdoor walk on a platform about 460 metres up with unobstructed views of the city. The building's 'weekday lights' show a different colour at the top for each day from Monday to Sunday. During festivals the facade often carries lighting on different themes. Sisi South Village, within walking distance, preserves traces of military dependants' village culture. From the Xiangshan (Elephant Mountain) Trail, Taipei 101 is the centrepiece of the skyline view. Around the Xinyi shopping district there are public artworks, performance and exhibition spaces and open plazas.

Translated and shortened by DealTaipei from Taiwan's national tourism database. Sources are on the terms page.