This is a guest post from writer Pranitaa Purohit. Skyscrapers symbolize innovation and technology expansions. One of the many things we like about exploring the world is seeing unique and magnificent architectural marvels. The human desire to reach new...
This is a guest post from writer Pranitaa Purohit.
Skyscrapers symbolize innovation and technology expansions. One of the many things we like about exploring the world is seeing unique and magnificent architectural marvels. The human desire to reach new heights has produced these iconic landmarks. They represent a city’s economic power.
Looking down from a high vantage point is the best way to appreciate a city’s beauty. These buildings define a city’s identity.
Let us explore the marvels of modern construction and discover the best and tallest buildings in the world.
11 of the Best Tallest Buildings in the World
Empire State Building, New York City, United States
New York City is known as the City of Skyscrapers. The iconic Empire State Building has 102 stories and is 443.2 meters tall. Its Art Deco style, complete with spire, defines the New York City skyline. The observatories on the 86th and 102nd levels provide 360-degree views of the metropolis. The Empire State Building has been featured in over 250 films and television shows, including Elf, King Kong, Independence Day, An Affair to Remember, and The Amazing Spiderman.
Burj Khalifa, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Dubai is home to the iconic Burj Khalifa. The Burj Khalifa holds a Guinness record of being the tallest building in the world. The building’s striking Y-shaped design, created by Adrian Smith, was inspired by the Hymenocallis desert flower. The Burj Khalifa has 163 stories and a height of 828 meters. It houses a gym, offices, stores, restaurants, and residential units. The Burj Khalifa ticket allows access to the world’s highest observation deck on the 148thfloor, which offers breathtaking panoramic views.
Shanghai Tower, Shanghai, China
The Shanghai Tower, located in the heart of China’s financial capital, is a masterpiece of modern architecture. Designed by Gensler, this twisting glass tower stands 632 meters tall. The asymmetrical shape helps it resist the typhoon-force winds common in Shanghai. This 128-storey tower holds the Guinness record for the highest observation deck in the world. It is the tallest skyscraper in China and the second tallest in the world.
The 118th-level observation deck offers breathtaking views. The Shanghai Tower has a French fine dining restaurant on the 68thstory, a bookshop on the 52ndfloor, and a hotel on the 84thto 110thfloors. The tower has been declared the world’s highest green structure.
Abraj Al Bait Clock Tower, Mecca, Saudi Arabia
Mecca, the holiest city in Islam, is home to the Abraj Al Bait Clock Tower. The tower is located next to the Masjid al-Haram, Islam’s most sacred mosque. This clock tower that rises to a height of 601 meters has 120 floors.
During Ramadan, the clock tower illuminates the night sky with a spectacular light show, attracting millions of pilgrims. The central tower houses the Clock Tower Museum. The clock tower houses two prayer rooms (one for men and the other for women), a shopping mall, luxury hotels, and residential apartments.
Willis Tower, Chicago, United States
The Willis Tower, originally known as the Sears Tower in Chicago, is the third-highest structure in North America. This architectural wonder, with an exterior of bronze-tinted glass and black metal, stands 1,450 feet (442 meters) tall and has 110 stories. On a clear day, visitors to The Skydeck on the 103rdlevel may view four states – Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin. The Ledge, a glass floor balcony that extends 1.3 meters from the Skydeck, is the tower’s main attraction.
Lotte World Tower, Seoul, South Korea
South Korea’s Lotte World Tower, at 555 meters in height, is the third tallest building in Asia. The 123-storey skyscraper houses a luxury hotel, several restaurants, an ‘officetel’, and the world’s highest glass-bottomed observation deck. Seoul Sky, the observation deck occupying seven floors (117thto 123rd), provides unparalleled views of the city and the surrounding mountains. The exterior pale-colored glass draws inspiration from traditional Korean ceramics. The LED lighting system transforms the Seoul skyline, making it a must-see destination.
Landmark 81, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Vietnam’s Landmark 81 is a standing example of the country’s quick progress and architectural innovation. Located in Ho Chi Minh City, with 81 floors and 461 meters in height, it is Southeast Asia’s tallest building.
From the 79thto the 81stfloors of the structure, the observation deck Skyview offers breathtaking views of the cityscape. There are amenities on every floor, including virtual reality games and beverages. The skyscraper has a hotel on levels 47 to 77 and a lounge on floors 75 and 76. Both locals and visitors may enjoy world-class shopping and entertainment at the nearby Vincom Landmark 81 Mall.
Taipei 101, Taipei, Taiwan
Taipei 101, a 508-meter-tall skyscraper, was built to withstand typhoons and earthquakes common in the region. The tower’s 101 stories represent the renewal of time, the new century when it was erected (100+1), and the New Year’s that followed (January 1). The fireworks show on New Year’s Eve broadcasts is a popular tourist attraction. Offices, restaurants, and indoor and outdoor observatories are housed within the tower. The 89th-story observation deck provides stunning views of the city.
Petronas Towers, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
The Petronas buildings in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, are the world’s highest twin buildings. Cesar Pelli, an Argentine architect, designed these twin towers based on Islamic geometric patterns of two overlapping squares forming the shape of an eight-pointed star. Number eight symbolizes good fortune and is visible in numerous aspects, such as each Petronas Towers skyscraper having 88 levels.
The towers are linked by a sky bridge on the 41stand 42ndfloors, providing guests with breathtaking views of Kuala Lumpur City. The observation deck on the 86thlevel of both buildings has AR screens and digital displays.
International Commerce Centre (ICC), Hong Kong
The International Commerce Centre (ICC) is a 108-storey skyscraper located in the busy metropolis of Hong Kong. This 484-meter tower houses offices, a luxury hotel, and upmarket retail centers. Rooftop gardens, energy-efficient glass, and a rainwater collection system are among the features. The Sky100 observation deck on the 100thfloor offers breathtaking views of Victoria Harbour and the surrounding cityscape. Ozone, the world’s highest bar on the 118thfloor, gives visitors the impression that they are in the Ozone layer.
The Shard, London, United Kingdom
The Shard, at 310 meters and 72 floors, is the tallest building in the United Kingdom and Western Europe. The shape of the building resembles ‘a shard of crystal’. It is one of the most Instagrammable places in London.
There is an indoor deck on the 69thfloor and an open-air deck on the 72ndfloor. Visitors can enjoy spectacular views of iconic landmarks such as the Tower of London, the London Eye, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and Tower Bridge. The tallest hotel bar in Europe, Gong Bar, is located on the 52ndlevel and is open to guests.
Final Thoughts
It is a visual delight to visit these prominent structures across the world. They transport tourists through the history and culture of the local community. The next time you visit these places, take time out to admire these tall buildings.
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Safe travels!
-Maggie