Taipei 101 & Din Tai Fung Itinerary 2026: Sunset & Night Views

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Taiwan

Taipei 101 Observatory + Din Tai Fung Review

Hello, I'm Tak, your travel blogger :)

Is Taipei 101 a must-visit on your Taipei trip?

And if you do go, in what order should you visit the Observatory and Din Tai Fung?

These are probably questions weighing on your mind.

Yes, I was in the same boat!

To visit the Taipei 101 Observatory,

you need to book in advance to secure your preferred time slot and save some money.

But then you might wonder, when exactly should I book for?

And with Din Tai Fung, the rumors of long waiting times make you anxious about when to go to actually get a table.

Typically, people recommend putting your name down for Din Tai Fung's on-site waitlist and then heading up Taipei 101 first.

However, I tried the opposite approach, and it made my visit so much more fulfilling!

Today, I'll share my personal review of the Taipei 101 Observatory and Din Tai Fung, along with golden tips for catching both the sunset and night views.

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🚨 Today's Travel Log

This is a truly honest review based on my personal experience (as of September 2026).

Taipei 101 is Taipei's landmark observatory.

I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to enjoy Din Tai Fung dining, shopping, sunset, and night views all in half a day.

⭐️ Today's Travel Difficulty ★☆☆

It's directly connected to the MRT station, and if you prepare your admission ticket in advance,

you can visit without any waiting.

Taipei 101 houses the observatory, Din Tai Fung, and a shopping mall all in one building.

So, if you plan your order carefully, you can reduce waiting times

and catch both the sunset and night views in one go!

The secret to this perfect plan starts with Din Tai Fung.

By having your meal in the afternoon, avoiding the lunch rush,

exploring the mall afterward, and then heading up to the observatory about 30 minutes before sunset,

you can witness everything from the daytime vista to the stunning sunset and sparkling night scenery.

That's why I've organized the review below exactly in the order I experienced it:

① Din Tai Fung → ② Observatory → ③ Sunset, Night View

Just follow along in this sequence.

+ If you also visit Raohe Night Market afterward,

you'll have completed a perfect half-day Taipei itinerary!

1. Can I go to Taipei 101 Din Tai Fung without a reservation?

📍 Location: Taipei 101 B1 (Basement 1) / Directly connected to MRT Taipei 101 / World Trade Center Station Exit 4

✅ Signature Menu: Xiaolongbao, Shrimp Fried Rice, Egg Fried Rice

Visiting Time: I visited on a weekday at 3 PM (after the lunch rush)

⏰ Operating Hours: 10:45 - 20:30

Din Tai Fung, originating from Taiwan,

typically has a bit of a long wait.

It's such a popular Taipei restaurant that people often say a 1-hour wait is standard during peak times.

This time, I was able to get in almost immediately, with only about a 10-minute wait!

Instead of putting my name down on the on-site waitlist, I preemptively purchased meal vouchers (admission tickets) from Klook.

Thanks to that, I was able to enter directly after only about a 10-minute wait at the venue.

It certainly helped that it was a weekday at 3 PM, past the lunch rush, which contributed to the short wait.

However, purchasing meal vouchers in advance also bumps your number up in the queue,

allowing you to get in with less waiting than if you just showed up.

I booked the A Course for two people and it worked out perfectly.

At the restaurant, they only offer à la carte dishes, not set courses.

So, if you want to sample a variety of dishes, ordering a course in advance is definitely the way to go.

They offer various menu options, including a solo course, A course, and B course,

each at a different price point, so make sure to check them out beforehand.

If you're not a fan of long waits, I highly recommend purchasing your admission tickets in advance before visiting.

>> Check Din Tai Fung Menu Here

Din Tai Fung Set Menu (Taipei 101 Branch/Dongmen Branch) - Klook3ha.in

2. Taipei 101 Observatory Tickets and Visiting Hours?

📍Location: Taipei 101 5th Floor Ticket Office → 89th Floor Observatory

✅ Ticket Prices

⏰ Visiting Hours: Daily 10:00 AM ~ 9:00 PM (Last entry 8:15 PM)

Pre-booking is over ~$3 cheaper than purchasing on-site.

Be sure to check in advance if your desired time slot is available for your visit date.

→ Check Available Times

The Taipei 101 Observatory is an indoor space on the 89th floor, offering panoramic views of Taipei city through its glass windows.

You'll ascend from the 5th floor to the 89th floor in just about 37 seconds via a super-fast elevator.

Even if you take your time, snapping photos, the visit usually takes about 40 minutes to an hour. There are glass-paneled photo spots everywhere, so the time just flies by as you capture those amazing moments!

The absolute highlight here is getting to see the Taipei 101 Tuned Mass Damper (pendulum) up close!

The damper is a colossal metal pendulum that minimizes the sway of the supertall building during strong winds or earthquakes.

Taipei 101's damper is a magnificent golden sphere weighing approximately 660 tons, and it's suspended between the 87th and 92nd floors, making it visible to visitors.

I honestly thought it was just a place to see the view and then head back down, but when this massive golden pendulum appeared right before my eyes, it turned out to be far more captivating than I had imagined!

Now, the observatory itself isn't packed with uniquely special attractions.

It's more of a "when in Taipei, you just have to go up the landmark" kind of experience.

That being said, if you time your visit perfectly as I'll explain next, your satisfaction will soar!

3. Taipei 101 Observatory: When to Go for Sunset and Night Views?

This is the part I want to emphasize most in this post.

I went up to the observatory about 30 minutes before sunset, and it was an absolute game-changer!

Because you get to experience the day view → sunset → and night view all from one incredible spot!

I enjoyed the city panorama before the sun began to set, witnessed the sky painted with the vibrant hues of twilight, and then watched as the city lights twinkled to life, experiencing the entire progression of time from that one vantage point.

Ahead of your visit, look up the exact sunset time for that day, and aim to enter the observatory about 30 minutes before it.

Since this time slot is incredibly popular, you might face some competition for prime viewing spots, so I highly recommend heading up a bit earlier to secure your perfect spot.

From my actual experience, this sequence worked out best:

1. As soon as you arrive, while the sun is still up, do a quick lap around the observatory to take in the daytime views.

2. Then, secure your spot by a window on the sunset-facing (west) side and settle in.

3. Once the sunset fades and the city lights flicker on, you'll be perfectly positioned to capture those stunning night views right from your chosen spot.

As evening approaches, the observatory gets more crowded, making it tough to snag a window seat.

That's why grabbing a prime spot early, while it's still bright, is absolutely key!

Entry tickets are divided by time slots, so make sure to prepare yours in advance!

You can get an extra discount by entering the promotion codes below :)

These Klook promotion codes are only applicable through the link below,

so save it and make sure to use it before your trip :)

Taipei 101 Observatory Ticket - Klook3ha.in

4. Recommended Itinerary for Taipei 101, Din Tai Fung, and Raohe Night Market?

This is the sequence I personally tried and was most satisfied with.

Din Tai Fung Meal (2-3 PM) → Explore the Shopping Mall

→ Observatory 30 minutes before sunset → Sunset, Night View → Raohe Night Market Late Night Snack

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Usually, people make a reservation for Din Tai Fung, wait, and then explore the observatory,

and then have their meal.

However, the waiting time at Din Tai Fung varies every time,

so deciding what time to book your Taipei 101 Observatory slot

can be a real head-scratcher.

If the wait gets too long, you might even miss your observatory reservation time.

That's why I chose this approach.

My recommendation is to head to Din Tai Fung a bit earlier for a leisurely 'linner' (lunch + dinner),

and if you have time left, enjoy some window shopping at the mall.

Then, go up to the observatory 30 minutes before sunset to soak in both the twilight and the incredible night views,

and finally, cap off your evening with some delicious late-night snacks at Raohe Night Market.

Since dining, shopping, and scenic views are all taken care of within the same building,

your travel time between activities is practically zero.

After enjoying the night views, you can take the subway to Raohe Night Market and indulge in late-night snacks like Fuzhou pepper buns, large fried chicken cutlets (ji-pai), and Taiwanese sausages, completing a packed itinerary from evening until night.

If it's your first time visiting, you can follow this itinerary exactly,

and if you're short on time, just combining Din Tai Fung and the observatory is perfectly enough.

The important thing is that purchasing your Din Tai Fung meal voucher in advance

offers a huge advantage in terms of ease of entry!

Definitely keep that in mind.

5. Taipei 101 Din Tai Fung FAQ

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Q. Do I need to make a reservation for Din Tai Fung at Taipei 101?

While walk-ins are possible, preparing your meal voucher in advance can significantly reduce your waiting time.

On weekday afternoons, if you have your voucher ready, the wait is typically short, around 10 minutes or less.

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Q. Should I buy Taipei 101 Observatory tickets in advance?

It's not strictly mandatory, but waiting times can be long, especially during sunset and night view hours, so we recommend booking online and using QR code entry.

Q. When should I go up to the Taipei 101 Observatory to see both the sunset and night view?

If you enter approximately 30 minutes before sunset on your visit day, you can enjoy the daytime panorama, sunset, and night view all from one spot.

Q. Can you recommend a good restaurant at Taipei 101?

We highly recommend Din Tai Fung, one of the must-try culinary experiences on any trip to Taipei, Taiwan.

Being indoors, it's comfortable and, most importantly, incredibly clean,

making it perfect for families traveling with children or parents,

as well as those who might find local street food a bit overwhelming.

Taipei 101 Observatory and Din Tai Fung,

Just by changing the order, you can create a much more fulfilling half-day itinerary.

I highly recommend this itinerary: eat at Din Tai Fung first, then shop, and finally head up to the observatory 30 minutes before sunset to enjoy both the glorious sunset and the dazzling night view.

Taipei 101 admission tickets and Din Tai Fung meal vouchers

If you prepare these in advance, you can enjoy your visit comfortably without waiting in line.

If you want a comfortable trip to Taipei,

advance booking is the answer!

There's absolutely no downside to preparing in advance!

1️⃣ Din Tai Fung Menu Reservation

2️⃣ Taipei 101 Admission Ticket Reservation

I'll be back with more useful tips in my next travel journal!

If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment, and have a fantastic trip!!

Thank you for reading today's post!

Xie Xie 🇹🇼

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