Taipei, Taiwan – January 25, 2026. American climber Alex Honnold achieved a historic milestone on Sunday by successfully free solo climbing Taipei 101, Taiwan’s most iconic skyscraper, completing the tallest urban free solo ascent in history.

The climb lasted just over 90 minutes and concluded at 10:43 a.m. local time, when Honnold reached the summit of the 508-meter (1,667-foot) tower, drawing cheers from thousands on the ground and millions watching worldwide via a live Netflix broadcast.

Honnold, globally renowned for his rope-free ascent of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park—featured in the Oscar-winning documentary Free Solo—described the Taipei 101 climb as “incredible” and said it felt like a “great adventure” years in the making.

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te congratulated Honnold, calling the spectacle “truly nerve-wracking” and expressing hope that the event would spotlight Taiwan’s people, landscapes, and global appeal.

Reflecting on the achievement, Honnold said he hopes viewers find inspiration to pursue their own goals, adding simply: “It’s such a great day.”