Taipei 101

Taipei 101, a landmark skyscraper in Taipei, Taiwan, opened for business on November 14th, 2003. The financial tower houses fashion boutiques, offices and conference halls. So named because of its 101 floors, the skyscraper totals 1,678 feet, and has five underground levels.

It was the world’s tallest building before being overtaken in 2007 by the Burj Dubai in Dubai, UAE. Upon completion, the Burj's 141st floor reached 2,684 feet. The Taipei 101 elevators can ascend at a speed of 37.7 miles per hour, taking visitors from the 5th floor to the observatory on the 89th floor in just 37 seconds. It is the world’s fastest elevator.

At midnight on December 31st each year, fireworks are launched from Taipei 101 to welcome the new year. It is a breathtaking and colorful choreography of fireworks, often broadcasted around the world.

Taipei 101’s official website can be found at : http://www.taipei-101.com.tw/en/corp/index_corp.asp

The pictures below, taken by the following photographers respectively, are posted on the Website of Taiwan’s Tourism Bureau. They are credited to: 1. Liu Pao-feng, 2. Huang Hsiao-shih, 3. Tsai Tong-ching, 4. Chen Tsu-cheng, 5. Chen Feng-jung, 6. Chen Kai-jen, 7. Pei Chi-yu, 8. Chao Yi-shiang.