Taipei 101 is the de-facto symbol of Taiwan, and one of the most famous structures on the planet. Although it’s no longer the world’s tallest building, as it was when it opened in 2004, there’s just nowhere else like it—not in Taipei, not anywhere.
Which is why what I’m about to say might surprise you: I don’t think you should go up to the Taipei 101 observatory. Well, at least not in most cases.
Is Taipei 101 worth visiting? Yes, which is to say it’s certainly worth seeing. But for a variety of reasons, which I’ll explain in greater detail if you give me a moment, I prefer to appreciate Taiwan’s most iconic symbol from outside rather than inside.
Why Taipei 101 is So Famous
In a moment, I’ll dig deeper into the discussion of whether I find Taipei 101 worth it, and why I think you should (probably) abstain from going up to the observatory. For now, however, let’s talk about why so many people love Taipei, and why it’s become a symbol of Taiwan. I’ll address the second point first: It was the tallest building in the world when it opened, which earned it (and, by extension, Taiwan) the attention of everyone on the planet.
As far as why people love it? Well, it’s not only tall, but manages both to embody traditional Chinese architecture, and yet be something futuristic—a timeless icon. There aren’t any casinos inside, as of yet, although you can learn how to play Omaha poker on your phone or computer as you look out from the observatory or admire it from a different vantage point. Which, in my opinion, may be even better than setting foot into an actual casino.
5 Reasons Not to Go Inside Taipei 101
You can’t see Taipei 101 from Taipei 101
This should go without saying, but it bears repeating: If you are inside Taipei 101, you can’t see Taipei 101. And in my opinion, Taipei’s skyline loses a lot of what makes it unique without its towering teal edifice rising so dramatically above the rest of it.
It’s almost too high
And I do mean tower: The “101,” in case you didn’t know, refers to the number of floors. While it’s impossible to deny that this sheer height alone makes Taipei 101 worth visiting, it’s so high that in my opinion, you lack a frame of reference for the Taipei cityscape—especially since its most famous building is missing.
It isn’t cheap
With prices ranging from 980 TWD on the low-end to more than 2,000 TWD on the high end, Taipei 101 just isn’t cheap. You could use that money to enjoy several trays of xiaolongbao, bowls of beef noodle soup or ice-cold bottles of Taiwan Beer, let alone all the other amazing Taiwanese food waiting for you to discover it.
Taipei 101 is a shopping mall
Food, or shopping: Some of the people who definitely find Taipei 101 worth it are shoppers, since the bottom several floors of the building are a mall. I can’t lie that I, too, liked this when I lived in Taipei. As a tourist, however, I’d almost argue that going to a shopping mall is a waste of time.
There are many better Taipei viewpoints
Whether you follow the crowds and hike up Xiangshan mountain to watch the sunset, or Uber up to Bishan Kaizang Shengwang temple (where a few Taiwanese locals will be your only company), there are countless vantage points from which to see Taipei 101 in the context of Taipei City. You can also admire Taipei 101 from fine restaurants in the nearby Breeze Nan Shan tower!
Other Amazing Things to Do in Taipei
Taipei 101 is the icon of Taipei, but the city doesn’t begin and end there. Here are a few other ways to make your time in Taipei unforgettable:
- Eat your way through night markets like Shida, Raohe Street and Shilin.
- Visit the National Palace Museum, the largest collection of Chinese art in the world.
- Relax in Da’an Forest Park, or hike atop Yangmingshan mountain
- Explore famous streets like Yongkang Street and Ximending pedestrian area
- Take day trips to Jiufen, Keelung or Wulai
Whether or not you decide Taipei 101 is worth it, there’s no end to the amazingness of Taipei as a travel destination!
Other FAQ About Visiting Taipei 101
How much does it cost to go to the top of Taipei 101?
Getting to the top of Taipei 101 can cost as little as NT$980 (if you simply wish to visit the 101st floor observatory) and as much as NT$3,000, if you want to walk along the outside of the roof (assisted, of course, by a bungee cord). It’s not a cheap activity, which is why you need to make sure you really want to visit.
What time does Taipei 101 light up?
As a general rule, Taipei 101 lights up every night from 6-10 PM. This means that the building is typically illuminated as night falls, which can be especially beautiful in contrast to the sunset, if the sky is colorful. On New Year’s Eve, Taipei 101 stays lit up until midnight, when hundreds of fireworks launch off it in a spectacular display.
Is Taipei 101 worth going up?
In my opinion, Taipei 101 is not worth going up. It’s actually too high to really get a good view of Taipei’s skyline—which, anyway, is not actually very impressive without Taipei 101 towering above it. And let’s remember: You can’t see Taipei 101 if you’re already inside Taipei 101.
The Bottom Line
Is Taipei 101 worth visiting? Well, kind of. On one hand, it’s the symbol of Taiwan—if you go to Taiwan without seeing it, it’s like going to Japan without seeing Mt. Fuji, or to France without seeing the Eiffel Tower. On the other hand, like both of these landmarks, Taipei 101 is impossible to see when you’re inside it. And because the skylines of Tokyo and Paris are so incomplete without either of their symbols, so too is the view Taipei 101 offers superfluous. The good news? I’ve recommended plenty of other vantage points where you can admire the building. The better news? You can also hire me to plan your trip to Taiwan!
