High Above The World In Taipei 101

I am afraid of heights. Yet, from the time I saw my first high-rise in Columbus, Ohio, at the age of six or seven, I am fascinated by skyscrapers. So what a treat, while visiting Taiwan recently, to go up into what was briefly once the world's tallest building, Taipei 101.

Photo courtesy of dans.photo@gmail.com 2009

We were a group of reporters and editors, visiting Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan through an East-West Center Asia Pacific fellowship. One night in the city we were whisked by the Association of Taiwan Journalists to the 85th floor of this giant to look out over a city of more than 2 million people. It was a stunning sight, with dusk coming on and beautiful rivers of arterial traffic below as people left work for home. I can never stand too close to the window, however. I look out, but not straight down. I don't need to feel that vulnerable, thank you.

But it is a beautiful piece of earth's skyline. It stands virtually alone in its neighborhood, a beacon that appears on postcards, key chains, stationery, you name it. Taipei 101 has become a symbol of the Republic of China - 23 million people just south of the People's Republic of China. Below is a gray-day view from my hotel window:


And another from the bus in the rain:


As American reporters we got a chance to meet with Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou. Most of the questions were about trade, economics and politics regarding China, but I asked the president about the building's symbolism in Taiwan, what it said about the city. He said, "I'm not really a fan of big buildings." But he said it's become a very successful business center and a "big tourist attraction." Mainland Chinese, especially, love to go up inside the distinctive landmark.

My home skyscraper guide, "Skyscrapers, a History of the World's Most Extraordinary Buildings," says of Taipei 101: "The skyscraper looks like an elongated multi-tiered pagoda, a traditional Asian form that symbolizes protection and achievement. It recalls, too, a bamboo plant, considered lucky by the Chinese and admired for its strength and resilience.

"The tower is composed of eight sections of eight floors each - eight being a lucky number associated with abundance and good fortune - and it faces south, an auspicious direction."

I felt auspicious myself coming down in its lightning-fast quiet elevators. Even being fascinated by this planet's skyscrapers it's always nice to be back on the first floor.