Taipei 101:  Spectacular - and symbolic?

Taipei 101 rises above east Taipei's Xinyi District. Business and civic leaders hope the tower helps transform the district into a world financial center. (photo by David Boraks/please do not reproduce without permission)   BORAKS.NET HOME

By David Boraks Sept. 22, 2005 One of the most startling changes in Taipei since my last visit in 2001 is its skyline, and specifically Taipei 101. The 508-meter (1,667-foot) tower of cool, blue-green glass is intriguing because of both its looming presence over east Taipei and its psychological significance here and beyond Taiwan.  As you travel around the city, you find yourself looking for the massive building, between the office towers and at the end of busy avenues. It is a compelling subject for the camera, and in the past few weeks, I’ve been photographing it from a variety of angles: out train windows, looking up from its base, and both inside and outside. On Tuesday, I climbed the 180-meter (590-foot) Elephant Mountain, just east of the tower, for a panoramic view. It was one of the clearest days of the year, according to a photographer there shooting the tower with a large format camera for an upcoming book. The view against the crystal blue backdrop was spectacular.  Next