This latest trip I made to neighboring Taipei was quite hectic, including so many important meetings and courtesy calls. However, in spite of the busy schedule, I could still find breaks in between, which gave me time to visit some of the city’s famous landmarks.
I’ve been to its most popular tourist attraction, Taipei 101, quite a few times before, but I never had the time to go inside the building or climb to its observatory. This trip, I made sure I’d do it and see what else the structure had to offer.
Formerly known as the Taipei World Financial Center, Taipei 101 is 508 meters high, a 101-story skyscraper. It used to be the world’s tallest building until Malaysia’s Petronas Twin Towers snatched the title away, which later went to Dubai’s Burj Khalifa. It still stands as the tallest building in all of Taiwan.
To go up to the observatory on the 89th floor, one has to take the elevator to the 5th floor of the building, where entrance tickets are sold. Each costs NT$600, approximately P1100 per adult. The ear-popping elevators going up to the observatory run at a speed of 60 kilometers per hour, and it took me only 37 seconds to go from the 5th to the 89th floor. Posted on the elevator wall is a video with a timer that shows all these details.
The Observatory shows visitors a breathtaking 360-degree view of the entire city of Taipei and its suburbs. As I went around the entire floor, which offered stunning views of Taiwan’s capital city, I noticed that the city has proper zoning, just like any other city in the USA. I didn’t see any cluster of slum areas that would spoil the city’s overall aesthetics.
But what I found interesting in the building was the Tuned Mass Damper. I saw this featured once on National Geographic TV. This is a large solid steel ball measuring 18 feet across, hanging freely, and built to help the building withstand very strong typhoon winds and earthquake tremors. This ball sways in the opposite direction when the building is affected by these natural calamities, making it resilient and safe for its occupants.
I also had the chance to visit the sprawling Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall, a tribute to Taiwan’s former President. It is surrounded by an expansive and beautiful garden. What is peculiar is that the structures in Memorial Square carry a lot of symbolism. The roof of the Hall is octagonal, a shape that has eight sides, a number the Chinese associate with abundance and good fortune.
The Hall has a pair of stairs with 89 steps each, a number representing the age of the former President at the time of his death. The Main Hall has a large statue of Chiang Kai Shek where a “changing of the guards” takes place at regular intervals.
I also had the chance to chill out with some Taiwanese friends one evening when they invited me and my PRA Team to the city’s most popular Karaoke Bar, Party World. Located in uptown Taipei, it has all my favorite songs on its playlist. I realized, only after singing my heart out, that Karaoke is a surefire way to destress myself, especially when several bottles of my favorite Cabernet Sauvignon are served.
Another thing that fascinated me most about Taipei, as part of our Tourism Industry, is its accessibility to various parts of Taiwan through the HSR (High-Speed Rail or bullet train). The reclinable seats are very comfortable, and the train’s interior is very clean because a maintenance crew keeps it tidy every time it reaches its end station. If only we could have the same accessibility here in our country, I’m sure our tourist arrivals would shoot up by leaps and bounds in no time.
As I said at the beginning of this column, although it was a very hectic schedule, I am happy I had these “breathers,” allowing me to meander around the city and discover what makes Taipei a fun and attractive destination.
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