Exploring Taipei 101: Facts and Features

A few Taipei 101 facts surprise people, but none more than the existence of Summit 101—a “secret” VIP club purported to exist on the 101st floor of the building.

The Taipei 101 tower in Taipei, Taiwan, was the world’s tallest building from 2004 until 2010 when it was surpassed by Dubai’s impressive Burj Khalifa. Regardless, Taipei 101 remains the tallest green building globally due to its innovative and energy-saving design. Notably, even the 2015-2016 New Year’s Eve fireworks show was nature-themed.

Rich with symbolism and tradition, Taipei’s iconic landmark serves as a testament to ancient feng shui principles and modern architectural prowess.

Taipei 101 Specifications

• Height: 1,667 feet (508 meters) from the ground to the tip of the spire.
• Highest Occupied Floor: 1,437 feet (438 meters).
• Number of Floors: 101 (with an additional five basement floors).
• Outdoor Observation Deck: 91st floor.
• Construction Cost: US $1.8 billion.

Symbolism and Design

The neighborhood and the sculptures in the park surrounding Taipei 101 are thoughtfully designed to support the tower’s feng shui, preventing positive energy from escaping. The circular park reinforces the idea that the tower acts as a giant sundial. The entrances, curving surfaces, and colors of the building symbolize prosperity and good fortune.

Some may perceive Taipei 101 as resembling a stack of traditional Chinese food carryout boxes. However, the tower’s design represents a stalk of bamboo reaching skyward, symbolizing a connection between heaven and earth.

The 101 floors signify the addition of one to the number 100, reflecting a perfect and auspicious number in Chinese culture. Consequently, it represents an even better state than perfect! The tower comprises eight sections, alluding to the lucky number eight, which symbolizes abundance.

Avoiding the use of the number four, which is considered unlucky, the designers created a floor labeled 42a, effectively positioning the 43rd floor without dedicating a floor to four.

Interesting Facts About Taipei 101

• Upon its opening in 2004, Taipei 101 surpassed the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur by 184 feet to claim the title of “tallest building in the world.”
• It is owned by the Taipei Financial Center Corporation.
• Taipei 101 is often cited as the tallest sundial globally, thanks to the park’s circular design surrounding it.
• The tower houses 61 elevators, each equipped with atmospheric controls to ease passengers’ discomfort during travel.
• The two fastest elevators reach speeds of 37.7 miles per hour (55.2 feet per second), previously being the fastest elevators in the world. Ascending to the 89th floor takes approximately 44 seconds!
• Alain Robert, known as the “French Spider-Man,” ascended Taipei 101 legally on Christmas Day in 2004, completing the climb in four hours.
• Felix Baumgartner, famous for his 2012 space jump, performed an illegal base jump from the 91st floor in 2007.
• The basement parking area spans 893,000 square feet (82,962 square meters), accommodating over 1,800 vehicles.
• Taipei 101 cycles through seven different colors, each with intrinsic meaning, throughout the week.

The History of Taipei 101

Construction of Taipei 101 commenced in 1999 after two years of planning, and the project was completed in 2004. Groundbreaking took place on January 13, 1999, and the tower opened to the public on December 31, 2004. Notably, construction was only briefly delayed during a catastrophic earthquake in 2002 that caused significant disruptions at the site.

Taipei 101 surpassed Malaysia’s famous Petronas Towers to assume the title of “tallest inhabited skyscraper.” Concurrently, it also took the title for “highest inhabited floor” from the Willis Tower (previously known as the Sears Tower) in Chicago.

The chief architect, C.Y. Lee, was born in China and earned his master’s degree from Princeton University.

Construction Caveats

Constructing Taipei 101 involved more than mere aesthetic considerations; it must withstand Taiwan’s frequent typhoons and earthquakes. According to its designers, the tower can endure winds up to 134 miles per hour and withstand the strongest earthquakes recorded.

To mitigate potential structural stress, Taipei 101 integrates a steel pendulum, recognized as the largest and heaviest damper in the world. This massive sphere, suspended between the 92nd and 87th floors, weighs 1.45 million pounds (659,523 kilograms) and compensates for the building’s movement. Visitors can observe this remarkable damper in action from various points within the tower.

The anti-sway system demonstrated its effectiveness during a 6.8-magnitude earthquake in 2002, even while construction was ongoing.

What Is Inside the Taipei 101 Tower?

Taipei 101 is home to numerous tenants, including communication companies, banks, and financial firms. Notable organizations such as Google Taiwan occupy the 73rd floor, and L’Oreal, the world’s largest cosmetic company, is also present.

The tower features a library, fitness center, shopping mall with over 828,000 square feet of retail space, and numerous dining options.

Taipei 101 Observation Decks

The indoor observatory on the 89th floor offers 360-degree views of Taipei, including a close look at the wind damper on the 88th floor. Visitors can venture to the outdoor observation deck on the 91st floor when weather permits. Here are some details regarding the observation decks:

• Open daily from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Tickets available at the entrance located in the mall on the 5th floor.
• Ticket sales conclude at 9:15 p.m.
• Adult admission for indoor decks: NT $600 (approximately US $20).
• Outdoor observation deck access (when weather permits) is included with the base ticket.

Dress and footwear regulations are in place for Taipei 101’s observatories—flimsy footwear is discouraged!

The Summit 101 Club

Among the intriguing aspects of Taipei 101 is the secretive Summit 101—a VIP club rumored to reside on the 101st floor of the tower. Though it was once documented in the tower brochure, details about the club remain elusive, and it is inaccessible via traditional elevators.

Despite attracting millions of visitors annually, the true activities within the Summit 101 continue to be a mystery! Interestingly, millions observe the tower’s spectacular fireworks displays each New Year’s Eve, which are broadcast worldwide.

A television crew finally gained access to Summit 101 in 2014, affirming its existence. It is rumored that access is granted exclusively to foreign dignitaries and individuals who spend significantly in the mall for an unparalleled view of the city.

Speculation persists about the 101st floor’s divisions, suggesting the public has yet to uncover all its secrets.