Here's a photographer's guide to some of Taipei's most photogenic skyscrapers...
Oman TiT (阿曼TiT)
This is the easiest building to spot from Ximen Shopping area. And yes, the building is actually called Tit.
📍 Address: 108, Taipei City, Wanhua District, Xining Rd
Jitai Zhongxiao (基泰忠孝)
I really like the design and lights of this building. From this angle it looks like a dragon back and the nearby park offers a good vantage point. This shot was taken from Exit 5 of Beimen Station.
📍 Address: 100, Taipei City, Zhongzheng District, Section 1, Zhongxiao West Road
citizenM Taipei North Gate
This is a hotel that just opened. They have been lighting up the windows in the shape of a heart which looks real nice. The location right next to the road makes this place easy for adding light trails in the foreground.
📍 Address: No. 3, Section 1, Zhonghua Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, 10043
Harbourside (揚昇君臨)
This is probably the nicest and most upscale residential skyscraper closest to the Presidential Hall. Wouldn't be surprised if many political leaders live here. It's a beautiful building.
📍 Address: 100, Taipei City, Zhongzheng District, Bo'ai Road, 77號
Taipei Ocean Horizon (一森原)
The road in front of this complex makes for a really cool perspective. There is a new MRT being constructed nearby which may hinder good photos, but with a good zoom lens and some creativity you should be able to avoid unwanted objects.
📍 Address: No. 34-48號, Section 2, Zhongzheng Road, Tamsui District, New Taipei City, 251
Grand Hotel
This was the first hotel that hosted foreign diplomats since the handover of power in 1945. Today it's a popular destination for important banquets, high-budget travelers, and celebrity visitors.
📍 Address: No. 1號, Section 4, Zhongshan North Road, Zhongshan District, Taipei City, 10461
TianMu Bank Building
This bank building next to SOGO lights up in different colors all the time providing a variety of opportunities. There's usually a lot of pedestrians in the area as well so working the lights in the background of some street portraiture could work out nicely too.
📍 Address: No. 88號, Section 6, Zhongshan North Road, Shilin District, Taipei City, 111
Xin Yuan Ding (新巨蛋管理委員會)
My photos here don't really do these buildings justice. They're pretty gorgeous at night and their contrast to the shacks below then in the daytime is pretty stunning. I've tried to shoot these buildings a bunch of times thinking I could get an epic photo, but I just haven't nailed it yet. I know there's still potential though and I'm going to keep trying.
📍 Address: No. 360, Section 1, Wenhua Road, Banqiao District, New Taipei City, 220
Ming Ren Sauna (名人三溫暖)
I don't know the actual name of this building. On Google Maps the only thing that shows up is this brothel on the 1st floor. This building is unique because there's a temple on the top floor. The only problem is that the have this weird tint on the windows that ruins your pictures. The view is still really cool though.
📍 Address: No. 97, Section 4, Chongxin Road, Sanchong District, New Taipei City, 241
Chicony Electronics Company
This building reflects beautiful light that can be used for great street photography. The only problem is that it's located in kind of a boring area. If you're able to find a good vantage point this place could make for an epic shot against Taipei.
📍 Address: 241, New Taipei City, Sanchong District, Section 2, Guangfu Road, 69號2樓
Shangri-La's Far Eastern Plaza Hotel
I think this is the coolest looking building in Taipei. There are two towers and if you go inside you get one of the best views of Taipei 101. There is so much to work with here in terms of photo-taking. Reflections, patterns, close-ups, etc. This building has potential for it all.
📍 Address: No. 201號, Section 2, Dunhua South Road, Da’an District, Taipei City, 106
Huaku Sky Garden (TianMu)
Supposedly some of the most rich and famous people in Taiwan live here. It's hidden from Google Maps so this may be true. It's quite a spectacular building that can easily be seen and photographed from any high buildings or mountains in TianMu.
📍 Address: No. 8, Tianmu East Road, Shilin District
Nan Shan Plaza
This skyscraper went up right next to 101 a couple of years ago and is a great addition to the Taipei skyline. Getting inside to see the view seems possible only if you're willing to eat at one of the high-end restaurant there. However photographing this building is quite easy from pretty much anywhere downtown.
📍 Address: 110, Taipei City, Xinyi District, Songzhi Road
Taipei 101
Not much to say here about this iconic building that nobody hasn't said before. Taipei 101 is a favorite among photographers all over the world. There's a yearly photo contest for the building with some nice prizes.
📍 Address: No. 7, Section 5, Xinyi Road, Xinyi District
TianJing 360 (天境360)
Look to the mountains in the north and you'll easily see this building from anywhere in Taipei. It's a residential building so going up to the top isn't an option unless you can find somebody renting out a unit on Air B&B. The building is pretty spectacular looking, and the views must be amazing.
📍 Address: 25163, New Taipei City, Tamsui District, 興福寮100號
Residential Building In Beitou
I really like the design of this building and the way the sun hits it against the mountain backdrop. It's another residential building but there's some office buildings across the street where you can get up to get shots like the one above.
📍 Address: No. 24, Guangming Road, Beitou District Taipei City, 112
ShinKong Life Tower
If Taipei had an Empire State Building I think this would be it. Before Taipei 101 it was the tallest building and it's located right next to Main Station.
📍 Address: No. 66號, Section 1, Zhongxiao East Road, Zhongzheng District
Peace Palace
I really like the way this building looks in the daytime. It's pretty close to Guting MRT Station but getting a good angle on this place is quite a challenge. I've been roof-topping around this area quite a few times, but have yet to capture this building from anywhere but the bottom like this.
📍 Address: No. 101號, Section 1, Heping East Road, Da’an District, Taipei City, 106
China Trust Financial Park
I really like the blue sky-bridge here. This type of glass seems to do very well with portraits as well. I've taken a few here that turned out nice. The courtyard here is pretty huge giving you lots of room to work with when trying to capture this building.
📍 Address: No. 168-188號, Jingmao 2nd Road, Nangang District, Taipei City, 115
W Hotel/Cathay Landmark
I think these buildings complement each other pretty well. They're right in the heart of downtown at Taipei City Hall Station. Shooting them from other rooftops nearby is fairly easy.
📍 Addresses: No. 10 Zhongxiao East Road Sec. 5, Xinyi District / No. 10, Section 5, Zhongxiao East Road, Xinyi District Taipei City, 110
Tao Zhu Yin Yuan
Featured on CNN a few times, this building is touted as being eco-friendly. The twisting design kind of reminds me of a Transformer. Either way, this new skyscraper is probably the most photogenic of all given it's unique shape.
📍 Address: 110, Taipei City, Xinyi District, Songyong Road, 陶朱隱園
Far Eastern Mega Tower
I've heard you can go to the top of this building in Banqiao, but I have yet to do so. Aesthetically I don't think it has too much to offer. It's nothing special at night either, but it is the tallest in New Taipei City and creamed in between some other buildings so I think there's defiantly some cool shot to be had with the right lens.
📍 Address: No. 16號, Xinzhan Road, Banqiao District, New Taipei City, 220
TaiShin Bank Tower
I really like the look and color of the TaiShan Bank Building. It's right next to a huge roundabout too so many photographers capture that along with it. I don't have a wide enough lens to do so and haven't found a suitable rooftop though, so I had to settle for this plain shot. Maybe you can get something better.
📍 Address: No. 118, Renai Dunnan Traffic Cir, 106, Da’an District, Taipei City