Taipei 101
Ever since 1885, when the first skyscraper was introduced in Chicago (the no-longer-extant Home Insurance Building), cities around the globe have been building up to claim the tallest laurels. For the time being, those bragging rights belong to Taiwan, for its record-breaking Taipei 101, the first building ever to exceed 500m (1/3 of a mile) in height. Taipei 101’s architecture and design is as impressive as its height, inspired as it is by traditional pagodas and bamboo, and incorporating a layout approved by a Feng Shui master. You can reach Zen-like heights here by zipping up to the 89th-floor indoor observation deck, or by going higher still, to the outdoor platform on 91st (the highest of its kind in the world). But get there fast – the Burj Dubai, in Dubai (see above) is expected to best Taipei 101 in 2009.
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