Spots for great Taipei 101 views
Where to photograph Taiwan’s most famous skyscraper
Taipei 101 is one of the city’s most recognizable sights, and the landmark most visitors want to photograph.
The view from Xiangshan, or Elephant Mountain, may be the most popular, but a short hike along the Nangang Mountain range reveals several more places to capture the skyscraper from different angles.
For something closer and more atmospheric, Four Four South Village gives you a great foreground, with old military village buildings set against the modern skyscraper.
For a wider city view, head slightly north to Laodifang Viewing Platform on Jiantan Mountain. It is also a short hike, with Taipei 101, Songshan Airport, and the Taipei skyline visible from the platform.
Taipei 101 towers over the city wherever you go, but for that great shot, these three areas give you very different versions of the skyline: the postcard view, the atmospheric close-up, and the wider city shot.
#1: Laodifang
Taipei's skyline from the north
Jiantan Mountain has a network of hiking trails, including the route up to Lao Difang, also known in English as The Usual Place.
The walk is fairly steep and takes about 30 minutes, but the reward is a wide panoramic view over Taipei, including Taipei 101 and Songshan Airport. It's also a popular location for plane spotters.
Many people hike up, take their photo, and call it a day, but it is worth continuing along the trail if you have time. It's around a 10-kilometer walk to Bishan Temple, which is another place that's great for sweeping city views. If you reach the end, you will have also completed Section 5 of the Taipei Grand Trail, a seven-segment hike linking up the mountains around Taipei.
We recommend going on a clear days for the best views, or after dark for the city lights. Lao Difang is also a great place to watch the New Year fireworks from.
To get there, take the Red Line to Jiantan MRT Station. From there, it is about a 10-minute walk to the trailhead, and then another 30 minutes to reach Lao Difang.
#2: Nangang Mountain Range
The classic view and quieter trails beyond Xiangshan
For the most famous postcard-style shot of Taipei 101, head to Xiangshan, or Elephant Mountain, and join the crowds trying to capture the perfect photo.
The Xiangshan hike is one of Taipei’s best-known trails and appears on many visitors’ bucket lists, so it can get extremely busy. Several viewing platforms offer places to stop during the steep climb, while a cluster of large boulders provides another popular photo spot for those willing to clamber up.
For a quieter hike and the chance to photograph Taipei 101 from a different angle, continue along the trail and follow the signs for Thumb Mountain. After a punishing stair climb, you will be rewarded with another excellent viewpoint over the city.
More experienced hikers can push on to 9-to-5 Peak, where the crowds thin out and the views open up across Taipei and the surrounding hills.
From the peak, several trails lead back toward the city — just keep going down. Do keep in mind that the full route is considerably more demanding than a quick trip up Xiangshan. When This Is Taipei completed the hike in March 2026, the route took around three hours and covered roughly 8 kilometers.
Bring plenty of water, especially during summer, wear proper footwear, and avoid attempting the trail in wet weather. Together, Xiangshan, Thumb Mountain, and 9-to-5 Peak turn a simple photo stop into one of Taipei’s best urban hikes.
#3: Four Four South Village
A close-up view framed by historic buildings
For one of the closest and most atmospheric views of Taipei 101, head to Four Four South Village. The former military dependents’ village sits almost directly beneath the skyscraper, creating a striking contrast between its low, historic buildings and the city’s most famous modern landmark.
Also known as Forty-Four South Village, the site has been converted into a cultural park with cafes, arts and crafts stores, bookstores, and a community center.
Its narrow lanes, grassy spaces, preserved architecture, and open courtyard give photographers plenty of foreground options.
The view is particularly good in the late afternoon, when the light softens and Taipei 101 begins to glow above the rooftops.
Its location in Xinyi District also makes it easy to combine with the surrounding shopping areas, making it ideal for anyone who wants a memorable photo without tackling a mountain trail.
