Visiting Taipei 101 on New Year's Eve
Taipei 101, located in Taipei, Taiwan, is a skyscraper completed in 2004. It was the tallest building in the world until the Burj Khalifa in Dubai was completed in 2010. It is still one of the tallest buildings in the world, standing at 509.2 meters (1,670 feet).
The building was designed by C.Y. Lee & Partners, and its name refers to the number of floors in the building (101). The building features a unique design incorporating traditional Chinese elements, such as a pagoda-like shape, into a modern skyscraper. It is considered an icon of modern Taiwan and a symbol of the country’s economic growth.
Taipei 101 boasts a shopping mall, restaurants, a concert hall, and an observation deck on the 89th floor that offers panoramic views of Taipei, in addition to its offices. The building’s high-tech engineering, including a 728-tonne ball-shaped damper system. This system makes it a landmark in its own right, as it helps Taipei 101 withstand earthquakes and strong winds.
Taipei 101 has earned multiple awards and accolades, such as recognition as one of the “Seven Modern Wonders of the World” by the American Society of Civil Engineers. Millions of visitors flock to Taipei 101 each year, making it a popular tourist destination.
The New Year’s Celebration:
As early as December, Taipei launches the preliminary celebration to generate excitement and bring together crowds from different parts of the city to celebrate the start of the new year. The City Hall enhances the city’s beauty by putting up lights to showcase its diversity to both Taiwanese and overseas visitors.
Every year, the building hosts a spectacular New Year’s Eve celebration, attracting thousands of visitors from around the world. The tourists and visitors start arriving around the building many hours before midnight to find the perfect spot to witness the show.
Apart from the new year countdown party and fireworks, the city also hosts live music performances by famous groups from around the country. There are street performances, night markets, food stalls and various games and activities for children too. The area around Taipei 101 building becomes pedestrian-friendly as vehicles are restricted from entering. This helps in allowing visitors to stroll and enjoy the various shows.
As the clock strikes midnight on December 31st, the building starts lighting up with a stunning display of pyrotechnics, including a dazzling firework show lasting for approximately 10 minutes. It is accompanied by music, lights, and many other special effects. Taipei 101 also features a massive LED light show that covers the entire building. The LED lights change colors, displaying images, characters, and various new year themes. It creates a mesmerizing and ever-changing display that adds to the overall atmosphere of the celebration.
The atmosphere is festive and energetic, with people from all walks of life coming together to celebrate the start of a new year.
Best locations to view taipei 101 fireworks without a crowd:
The city is expected to be highly crowded during this time. Hence, booking hotel rooms and other facilities are recommended at least two months prior.
Anticipate long queues and many hours of waiting time on the city metro and other public modes of transport. So, planning your mode of travel to Taipei 101 is very important.
Visitors to Taipei for New Year’s Eve can watch the fireworks show from various locations. Some of the locations are the street level, outdoor observation decks, nearby buildings, elephant hill, etc,. Many people gather in the surrounding area to watch the show, so like I mentioned before, it’s best to arrive early to secure a good viewing spot.
However, if you want to avoid crowds while watching the firework show, the city riverside parks and suburban hiking trails are the alternative ways with a scenic surrounding. These are the government-recommended 17 alternative locations, away from the city center. They are also some of the best places to view the fireworks from.
1. Riverside Parks: These parks prove to be a great choice to view the fireworks as there are plenty of open gaps fields. They are best for having a picnic with friends and family and enjoying the fireworks at your comfort.
- Rainbow Riverside Park
- Meiti Riverside Park
- Guanshan Riverside Park
- Yingfeng Riverside Park
2. Mountain trails: These trails have very less to no light during the nighttime. It is recommended to be cautious while hiking them. It takes approximately 30 to 60 minutes to walk up to the top of the trails and reach the fireworks viewing spots.
- Xiangshan (Elephant Mountain) Hiking Trail
- Hushan (Tiger Mountain) Hiking Trail
- Jiantanshan Hiking Trail
- Fuzhoushan Park
- Jinmianshan Hiking Trail
- Bishanyan
- Jiannanshan
- Maokong Trail
- Nangangshan Hiking Trail
3. Urban Locations: These places are well suited for photographers who want to capture a mesmerizing view of the fireworks.
- Jimmy’s Moon Bus
- Four Four South Village
- Jingqin No.1 Park
- Neihu Sports Park
Quick suggestion:
At first, before deciding on the location from which you want to view the fireworks, it is very important to know about the side of the building which would display the LED lights and the countdown. Even though the fireworks will be visible from all four directions, getting the perfect view of the firework and the light show will make a huge difference in your experience.
Secondly, if you choose to view the fireworks from the crowded areas near the building, it’s important to research the wind direction forecast for the night. Knowing the wind direction helps you avoid viewing the fireworks from a spot where the smoke will obscure your view within a few minutes. To get the best view, stand opposite the wind flow.
As one of the tallest buildings in the world, Taipei 101 offers breathtaking views of the city, and the New Year’s Eve celebration is no exception.