Watch planes soar overhead！ The rooftop of the Expo Future Pavilion will feature a “Skywalk.”

▲ The “Green Walkway” on the roof of the Expo Park Future Pavilion will be renovated to become a new hotspot for plane-watching. (Photo / Courtesy ofTaipei Expo Park’s official Facebook page)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

In downtown Taipei, many people head to No. 180 Binjiang Street or the Songshan Airport viewing platform to watch planes roar overhead. Now, Taipei Expo Park will also become a destination for plane-spotting. The Taipei City Department of Economic Development recently announced that a “skywalk” will be built atop the Future Pavilion in the Expo Park’s Xinyi area. Not only can visitors feel the thrill of planes flying just above, but they can also enjoy panoramic views of the Grand Hotel Taipei and scenic riverside vistas. The project is expected to be completed by November this year.

During the 2010 Taipei International Flora Expo, the “Green Walkway” built on the roof of the Future Pavilion and connecting it to the Angel’s Life Pavilion not only served as a bridge between venues and gardens, but also showcased the green building features of the Future Pavilion by coating the rooftop with vibrant greenery. However, because the walkway was made of wooden decking, it was prone to moss and weeds, making maintenance difficult. Moreover, there was no staff guidance after the expo ended, so it has been closed ever since.

With the exhibitions at the Future Pavilion, Angel’s Life Pavilion, and Dream Pavilion all set to conclude by the end of the year, and in an effort to give the Xinyi Trio of Pavilions a fresh new look, it has been decided to renovate the Green Walkway. The walkway will be rebuilt using slate or mold-resistant plastic wood materials, the rooftop lawn will be relaid, and two viewing platforms will be installed at the highest points along the path. Since these spots offer close-up views of planes taking off and landing, the walkway will also be renamed the “Skywalk,” allowing visitors to come day or night to watch airplanes carrying travelers from around the world soar across the sky.