85 Sky Tower, at 85 storeys high, is the tallest building in Kaohsiung. It is the second tallest in Taiwan behind Taipei 101.
Sky Tower 85 and Taipei 101 looks similar as both buildings were designed by the same Architect. Standing at a height of 378m, the design of 85 Sky Tower was inspired by the Chinese character ‘gao’ or 高, meaning tall. When the building was completed in 1997 after 3 years of construction, it was the tallest building in Taiwan. The title went to Taipei 101 in 2004 after it was completed.
On the last day of my trip to Kaohsiung, I went to 85 Sky Tower’s Observatory to enjoy panoramic views of the city.
The view deck is part of 85 Sky Tower Hotel and has to be accessed via the hotel lobby. The entrance and ticketing booth to the observatory are both not easy to find, being tucked at a rather obscure corner. Enter the building through the lobby of 85 Sky Hotel, turn to the left and walk across towards the hotel shop. As you do so, you will see a corridor on the left leading to the ticket booth.
A high speed elevator brings visitors up to and down from 75th storey for access to and from its observatory on the 74th storey. The elevator can go up to 600m/min. I timed the elevator’s descent on my way down. It took just 46 sec, though my ears did feel some discomfort midway.
The views may not be spectacular but the experience was pleasurable. The visitor number was low so I was able to take in the views in reflective silence.
This is the view towards Sanduo shopping District. (Note: The photos and videos taken have a bluish tint due to the window glazing)
Though the sky was overcast, I was still able to see quite far into the horizon. Watching the people down below going on with their day-to-day life, a plane landing in Kaohsiung airport, ships sailing in the harbour and fumes sprouting out from chimneys of faraway factories, the feeling was quite surreal. Here’s a short video clip of the Kaohsiung Harbour and Cijin view.
If you intend to stay longer, why not do so over a cup of tea at the observatory cafe? A can of soft drink cost NT55, mineral water NT30 but a cup of tea will set you back by NT110. I also took pleasure browsing through the observatory shop’s display with unique aboriginal art and collection though I did not get anything.
A postcard was given as admission ticket with a date stamp, together with a printed receipt. I wrote a little note home, which is expected to arrive with an exclusive observatory post mark. International postage for postcard is charged at NT20 and letters at NT40.
During my visit, a cardboard maze was set up at corner of the observatory as a limited-time event. Targeting at children, each adult and child is charged an additional NT50 for trying out the maze. Since the visitor number appears not to be high and the ticket price is not exactly cheap, I thought it will be an added enticement to visit if that’s free. But that’s just my opinion. There were some other thematic exhibits too, like a wishing tree and aboriginal arts.
The observatory does not extend around the whole floor, hence unable to offer a 360 degree view. Still I was happy enough to stay around for an hour just for the views it offers.
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Address: No.1, Tzu-Chiang 3rd Road, Lingya District, Kaohsiung
Telephone: 886-7-566-8818
Official Facebook page: Kaohsiung 85 Observatory
Opening Hours: 9.00am to 10.00pm
Admission Charge: Adults NT250, Children NT200, Senior Citizen NT125
Getting there:
By Kaohsiung MRT
– Take MRT-Red Line (捷运红线) to MRT R8 Sanduo Shopping District Station (三多商圈 (R8)).
– From exit no. 2 walk towards Xinguang Road (新光路) to 85 Sky Tower (高雄85大樓).
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Read about my trip to Kaohsiung in Taiwan – City of Kaohsiung Itinerary 2018 .
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