UP TAIPEI

 6th - 7th Dec 2023

The Taipei 101 Tower (or Taipei World Financial Center)

Left: A better photo, but not mine. This iconic building was completed in 2003 at which point if was ranked the tallest building in the world. It has since been overtaken by 9 others. It is 1667ft (508m) to the 101st floor...with a mast on top.

I do like to go up these things as previous blogs will attest. On the first day I visited, the top was in cloud; so a non-starter. The second time, although murky weather, it was cloud free. There are three viewing platforms. One large enclosed one on the 89th floor, another outside behind a fence on the 91st floor and a top-of-the-range small 'walkway' up on the 101st floor (harness supplied) and 'poseur' photos taken pour memoire. The cost to use the 89th floor including the outside 91st, is NT$600 (£15). To get an escorted 'walk' outside (and there's not much room) around the 101st floor walkway costs NT$3000 (£75)! I reckoned the 89th/91st would do me fine. The lift, from the 5th floor, takes 37 seconds (I timed it) and your ears pop on the way down!

The 101 Tower is in the eastern Xinyi area. There is a Metro station at the tower. On arrival I encountered (right) these singers who were very tuneful.

Left:.....and more 'Merry' Christmas paraphernalia. It is still two weeks until the dreaded 'Chrimbo'!

Right: This schmaltzy tat is popular with the children. Who am I to criticise!

Anyway, up to the 89th floor (left). It is a large 360º area with lots of souvenir shops and eateries plus extensive windows affording views in all directions over the city.

Right: A view over the city to the north.

Left: ......and to the east. It does give an idea of the scope and size of the city.

Right: Around the floor were various 'props' at which people could pose to have their photo taken. Blasted reindeer and Christmas trees in this case! There were queues at some. There are, and never have been, any reindeer anywhere near Taiwan. WTF!

Left: At the risk of making myself look particularly foolish, I succumbed here!

Right: On the outside area on floor 91 one could look up and see the floors above. The views over the city were no better than on floor 89. I think those 'ears' sticking out above are where the floor 101 (£75) poseurs promenade to have their photos taken. 

Left: This was interesting. It is a vast weighted, 660 metric ton, 'wind damper ball'. It is suspended on enormous cables and stands on hydraulic jacks between the 87th and 92nd floors. Its purpose is to stabilise the tower in the event of strong winds (frequent) or earthquakes. It swings to counteract any movement of the tower.

Right: The Maokong cable-car lower terminal. Upwards again! This was a cable-car trip from the Taipei Zoo Metro station (far southeast of the city by Metro) to the  hill-top station of Maokong. It is a 35 minute journey in a 'gondola' which had, in my case, a reinforced glass floor. The weather was dismal and not conducive to good photos. PS. The Zoo has (probably wet) pandas, but I didn't visit the Zoo.

Left: There are two station stops before you get to the top. I don't know what they are significant for. 

Right: I shared my upgoing gondola with a charming Singaporean family. Fellow tourists!

Left: Rain on the windows. Not great for photography. Those cows were models and there were more of different animals .

Right: A view back down.

Left: Another view through the drizzle. It was a longish journey and went up and down; predominantly upwards.

Right: Looking down through the floor at the trees below.

The top station at Maokong has a decent restaurant and shop. It is also the start point for various trekking trails. Some of them sounded quite interesting, such as 'the pot-hole trail'. There were several well clad intrepid trekkers there. I was not well clad and it was getting late in the day, so I chickened out of launching on even a short trek.

I had the gondola down to myself. No further photos of interest but it was, altogether, an enjoyable journey. It was a pity the weather was so gloomy

Left: That horse and carriage, near 101 Tower, lit up.

Right: A couple of 'festive' girls (wearing their little 'mandatory' reindeer horns) who served at a particularly pleasant café near where I was staying. Good coffee, cake and excellent service. The Taiwanese everywhere have, so far, proved to be remarkably cheerful, helpful and charming. 

I think that is all, for the time being, from Taipei. I may re-visit on my way home when, hopefully, the weather will be better. I head off south next, initially to the city of Tainan. More thrilling reports from there soon.