A TRYST WITH TAIWAN

RISE TO THE TOP

aipei 101 was the tallest building in the world for a period of nearly five years from 2004, until it was unseated by the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. The towering building, which looks like a stepped pagoda, pays homage to Chinese culture with its eight sections (eight being a lucky number in China) and the discs on its facade that represent old Chinese coins. Home to luxury shopping, restaurants, and offices, it in merely 39 seconds. A 660-ton damper (a huge golden iron ball) counteracts the effects of strong winds and stabilises the building in the event of an earthquake. You can actually see this on the 89 floor. From the outdoor observatory on the 91 floor, you can get a panoramic view of the city.