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Two science museums stand close to each other in Shilin, and the city’s tallest building lets visitors see its damper. Opening hours change, so check the official websites before you go (status as of 3 November 2026).

National Taiwan Science Education Center

At 189 Shishang Road in Shilin, near Shilin MRT station. Many exhibits are hands-on, and the displays range from life and natural sciences to materials science, mathematics and Earth science, with a robot education centre in the basement and the SkyCycle, which lets visitors ride a bicycle 20 metres above the floor. It is closed on Mondays.

Taipei Astronomical Museum

At 363 Jihe Road in Shilin. Its floors cover ancient astronomy, the Earth, space technology, constellations, the solar system, telescopes and galaxies; the top floor has two observatories and a radio telescope. The planetarium sits under a golden dome 35 metres across. One observatory is open during the day and on Saturday nights, and on special astronomical days such as eclipses. It is closed on Mondays.

Taipei 101 observation deck

The 89th-floor observation deck offers views over the city and the chance to see the tuned mass damper described on A pendulum in a skyscraper. Taipei’s official travel platform describes indoor decks on the 88th and 89th floors, about 382 metres up, and an outdoor platform on the 91st floor that opens depending on the weather. Tickets and hours are on the Taipei 101 website.

When you stand next to the damper, it helps to know what you are looking at: according to the travel platform and Guinness World Records, a steel sphere 5.5 metres across, built from 41 layers of plate, that can move up to 1.5 metres and swung by 1 metre during the typhoon of August 2015.

Central Weather Administration

Groups can visit the CWA on formal application made well in advance; the tour includes a miniature observation field, a satellite display and a seismology gallery. See Conferences & Events.

Planning around the weather

According to the CWA, the typhoons of the western North Pacific typically form between June and December, and earthquakes can happen at any time. Before and during a trip, the Central Weather Administration’s website and app are the official sources for warnings. Its FAQ also explains whom to ask about whether work and school are suspended during a typhoon. How to read the warnings is explained on Reading a typhoon warning and Watching the ground move.

Sources

  1. Taipei Travel, National Taiwan Science Education Center
  2. Taipei Travel, Taipei Astronomical Museum
  3. Taipei Travel, Shilin: science and astronomy for families
  4. TAIPEI 101, 89F Observatory
  5. Taipei Fun Pass (Taipei City Government travel platform), TAIPEI 101 Observatory
  6. Guinness World Records, Largest tuned mass damper
  7. Central Weather Administration, Visit CWA
  8. Central Weather Administration, Weather FAQ
  9. Central Weather Administration, Earthquake App features

Sources checked on: 3 November 2026