Taipei 101

Taipei Financial Center, is a landmark skyscraper located in Xinyi District, Taipei, Taiwan. The building became the world's tallest skyscraper upon its completion in 2004. as certified by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat. Taipei 101, designed by C.Y. Lee & Partners and constructed primarily by KTRT Joint Venture and Samsung Engineering & Construction received the 2004 Emporis Skyscraper Award and was hailed as one of the Seven New Wonders of the World and Seven Wonders of Engineering .The tower is an icon of modern Taiwan. Fireworks launched from Taipei 101 feature prominently in international New Year's Eve broadcasts and the structure appears frequently in travel literature and international media.
Taipei 101 comprises 101 floors above ground and 5 floors underground. The name of the tower reflects its floor count and carries symbolic meanings alluding to technology and Asian tradition . Its postmodernist approach to style incorporates traditional design elements and gives them modern treatments. The tower is designed to withstand typhoons and earthquakes. A multi-level shopping mall adjoining the tower houses hundreds of fashionable stores, restaurants and clubs.
Taipei 101 is owned by the Taipei Financial Center Corporation (TFCC) and managed by the International division of Urban Retail Properties Corporation based in Chicago. The name originally planned for the building, Taipei World Financial Center, was derived from the name of the owner. The original name in Chinese was literally, Taipei International Financial Center .

Taipei 101 was overtaken in height on 2007 July 21 by the Burj Dubai in Dubai, UAE, upon completion of the Burj's 141st floor. Taipei 101 retains the title of "world's tallest building", however, as international architectural standards define a "building" as a completed structure capable of being occupied. The Burj Dubai is expected to reach completion in January 2010. Taipei 101 is likely to retain the title of the Asia-Pacific region's tallest skyscraper until 2014, when its height will be surpassed by the Lotte Super Tower 123 in Seoul, South Korea.Taipei 101 features an Indoor Observatory (89th floor) and an Outdoor Observatory (91st floor).[25] Both offer 360-degree views and attract visitors from around the world.
The Indoor Observatory stands 383.4 m (1,258 ft) above ground, offering a comfortable environment, large windows with UV protection, recorded voice tours in eight languages, and informative displays and special exhibits. Here one may view the skyscraper's main damper, nicknamed "Damper Baby", and buy food, drinks and gift items.
Two more flights of stairs take visitors up to the Outdoor Observatory. The Outdoor Observatory, at 391.8 m (1,285 ft) above ground, is the second-highest observation deck ever provided in a skyscraper and the highest such platform in Taiwan.
The Indoor Observatory is open twelve hours a day (10:00 am–10:00 pm) throughout the week as well as on special occasions; the Outdoor Observatory is open during the same hours as weather permits. Tickets may be purchased on site in the shopping mall (5th floor) or in advance through the Observatory's web site .Tickets cost NT$400 (US$13) and allow access to the 88th through 91st floors via high-speed elevator.