| The journey towards the top of Taipei 101, the | | | | rightful place on the international stage, an instant |
| current record holder as the world's tallest | | | | landmark that's become a showcase for the city's |
| skyscraper, begins with a high-speed elevator ride | | | | global ambition. Various symbolisms highlight the |
| that ferries you up to the 89th floor in 37 | | | | proud heritage behind Taiwan, its oriental influence |
| seconds. As the sliding doors of the elevator | | | | and the modernization that has taken place |
| parted ways, two flight of stairs welcome and | | | | throughout the city. |
| lead you to the circular outdoor deck that sits on | | | | The main tower features a series of eight |
| the 91st floor of Taipei 101. | | | | segments of eight floors each, an obvious |
| Go in the late afternoon to enjoy the warm | | | | association to abundance, prosperity and good |
| embrace of the setting sun, and you'll notice right | | | | fortune. Its shaped like an Asian pagoda, while |
| away the new condominiums springing up in the | | | | numerous motif of the ruyi - an ancient symbol |
| east. Far in the south, mountains form tall dark | | | | associated with heavenly clouds - appear |
| silhouettes, enveloping the precipice of the city. | | | | throughout the structure. The structure was |
| Finally, in the west and north, you'll find a bustling | | | | engineered to be able to withstand gale winds of |
| city center with numerous skyscrapers and | | | | 60 mps, and the strongest earthquakes likely to |
| endless throng of masses making their way | | | | occur in a 2,500 year cycle. This claim was tested |
| through Taipei. One can't help but notice an air of | | | | when a 6.9 magnitude earthquake rocked Taipei in |
| irresistible romanticism about gazing at Taipei and | | | | 2002. Construction was still ongoing, and the |
| all its glory from more than 400 meters high | | | | tremor was strong enough to topple two |
| above its urban heart. | | | | construction cranes from the 56th floor, then the |
| When it was unveiled on New Year's Eve in 2004, | | | | highest. Five people were killed in the accident, but |
| Taipei 101 was the city's way of announcing to | | | | an inspection afterwards showed no structural |
| the world that it has arrived on the global scene. | | | | damage. |
| It represented a metropolis of 6 million seeking its | | | | |