American Alex Honnold climbed the “Taipei 101” skyscraper, the tallest tower in Taiwan and one of the tallest buildings in the world, without any safety equipment on Sunday, in front of hundreds of spectators.
The 40-year-old athlete, who is passionate about extreme challenges, succeeded in climbing the approximately 508-meter-tall building after an hour and a half of effort, raising his arms upon reaching the tower’s summit.
Honnold’s achievement, which was broadcast live on the “Netflix” platform, attracted the attention of hundreds of journalists and fans. The adventure was originally scheduled for Saturday morning but was postponed due to bad weather.
The biggest free solo climb in the history of urban climbing
Honnold had previously climbed the famous “El Capitan” mountain in Yosemite Valley in the United States in 2017, relying solely on his physical strength.
Before beginning his climb of the building on Sunday, Honnold said it was “the biggest free solo climb in the history of urban climbing,” adding: “I have always dreamed of climbing a skyscraper. No ropes, no safety equipment, just me and the building.”
Honnold climbed the glass and steel, 101-story building wearing a red shirt and yellow shoes. A photographer suspended by ropes documented the achievement, while a helicopter flew above the skyscraper.
In a press conference on Saturday, the director of “Taipei 101” expressed her happiness, noting that spectators had come from Singapore, Hong Kong, and southern Taiwan to watch this challenge.
Taipei 101
Taipei 101 is a 101-story skyscraper in Taipei, Taiwan, which held the title of the world’s tallest building from 2004 to 2010. Its design incorporates elements of traditional Chinese architecture, such as pagoda tiers and symbolic motifs, and it was engineered to withstand the region’s frequent earthquakes and typhoons.
Taiwan
Taiwan is an island in East Asia with a complex history of indigenous cultures, Chinese settlement, Dutch and Spanish colonial rule, and Japanese administration before becoming the seat of the Republic of China government in 1949. It is known for its vibrant democracy, advanced technology industry, and distinct cultural identity blending Chinese traditions with local and international influences.
Netflix
Netflix is a global streaming service founded in 1997 as a DVD-by-mail rental company before pivoting to online streaming in 2007. It has since revolutionized media consumption by producing and distributing a vast library of original and licensed films and television series worldwide.
El Capitan
El Capitan is a prominent vertical rock formation in Yosemite National Park, California, formed from granite over 100 million years ago. It is a world-renowned destination for big wall rock climbing, with its first major ascent completed in 1958.
Yosemite Valley
Yosemite Valley is a glacially carved valley in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, renowned for its towering granite cliffs, waterfalls, and ancient sequoia groves. Its human history includes habitation by Native American peoples for millennia before becoming a focal point of the American conservation movement, leading to Yosemite National Park’s establishment in 1890.
United States
The United States is a federal republic founded in 1776 after declaring independence from Great Britain, with its modern government established by the Constitution in 1789. Its history is marked by westward expansion, industrialization, and its emergence as a global superpower in the 20th century. The nation’s culture is a diverse blend of indigenous, European, African, and global influences, shaped by ideals of liberty and democracy.
Singapore
Singapore is a sovereign city-state and island country in Southeast Asia, founded as a British trading colony in 1819 by Sir Stamford Raffles. It gained independence in 1965 and rapidly developed into a global hub for trade, finance, and transportation, known for its remarkable economic transformation and multicultural society. Today, it is celebrated for its modern skyline, clean environment, and diverse cultural heritage reflected in neighborhoods like Chinatown, Little India, and Kampong Glam.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region of China, originally a British colony from 1842 until its handover back to China in 1997. It operates under the “one country, two systems” principle, maintaining a distinct legal and economic system from mainland China. The city is a major global financial hub known for its iconic skyline and deep natural harbor.
