U.S. climber Alex Honnold successfully climbed Taipei 101 without ropes or safety netting on Sunday, in a daring “free solo” ascent that lasted 91 minutes. The climb, watched by thousands of cheering fans, was organised and broadcast live by Netflix.
At the top of Taiwan’s tallest building, Honnold simply said, “Sick,” and later told reporters, “What a beautiful way to see Taipei.” The climb had been postponed by a day due to wet weather
The 508-metre (1,667-foot) Taipei 101 was the world’s tallest building from 2004 to 2010 and remains one of the most iconic landmarks in the city. The event took place with full support and permission from Taipei 101 and the city government.
American climber Alex Honnold has successfully scaled a Taiwan skyscraper without a rope, harness or safety equipment.
The building, named Taipei 101 for the number of its floors, stands at 508m (1,667ft) of steel glass and concrete and is designed to resemble a stick of bamboo. pic.twitter.com/LqR6to9VHh
— Shagufta Hassan Sayeed
American climber Alex Honnold has successfully scaled a Taiwan skyscraper without a rope, harness or safety equipment.
The building, named Taipei 101 for the number of its floors, stands at 508m (1,667ft) of steel glass and concrete and is designed to resemble a stick of bamboo. pic.twitter.com/LqR6to9VHh
— Shagufta Hassan Sayeed (@CoachShagufta_) January 26, 2026
Honnold admitted he had once considered climbing the building without permission, but chose to respect the structure and the team that granted him access. Executive Producer James Smith noted that it is rare for a building to trust a climber for such an event, calling Taipei 101 “a real icon of this country.”
Taiwanese leaders praised the stunt for putting Taiwan in the global spotlight in a different way. President Lai Ching-te congratulated Honnold on his Facebook page, saying the live broadcast showed not only Taipei 101 but also “the warmth and passion of the Taiwanese people.”
This is not the first time Taipei 101 has been climbed. In 2004, French climber Alain Robert, known as “Spiderman,” climbed the building with a safety rope in four hours.
