Every city in the world and every country is distinguished by its vast geographical fame, various historical landmarks, in addition to the buildings and towers constructed to be significant monuments that make this country or city one of the most famous and attractive for tourism. Today, there are modern structures and skyscrapers that place the names of cities and countries at the summit, and although building towers around the world costs a lot—especially if the purpose is to compete with other towers in height and grandeur—all of this is aimed at recording the name of this tower in history across the ages. This is primarily to attract tourists and secondly to showcase the power and superiority of countries over one another.
If we take a tour among the many countries worldwide, we will find many towering skyscrapers. Let’s embark on this journey to discover the tallest towers in the world, which include:
1. **Burj Khalifa in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) - 829.8 meters**
Burj Khalifa is the largest and tallest building in the world, as well as the structure that has ever reached the highest celestial body. The best architects in the world came together in Dubai to create this unique masterpiece, designed to surpass the record for the tallest towers in the world with the aim of reviving the tourism industry in Dubai and encouraging tourists to visit the country. Completed in 2010, Burj Khalifa reached the peak of the tallest buildings and towers globally, standing as a stunning structure with 163 floors featuring round facades and an aerodynamic design that maintains wind balance and reduces turbulence. The city also hosts the world's first hotel built on an artificial island, now home to the tallest building. With this massive tower, Dubai has made a name for itself in both economics and tourism in recent years. Besides being the tallest building in the world, Burj Khalifa also holds significant records as it houses the highest restaurant and the highest mosque. The Burj Khalifa contributes significantly to tourism as a major center in the UAE.
At night, the Burj Khalifa is vibrant, housing shopping centers, multinational companies, and local businesses. You can taste unique dishes and both Arabic and Western desserts at the highest and tallest restaurant located on the 122nd floor, which serves delicious dinners to its guests and staff, along with some famous sweets and ice cream. Additionally, there is an artificial lake at the base of the building, a valuable construction in the heart of the desert city of Dubai. Upon stepping to the upper floor and gazing further, instead of seeing a lake or green spaces, you view deserts, making Burj Khalifa's lake a special opportunity for the Emirati people to take pride in.
The tower has 40 floors reserved for office space. It also boasts the world's largest terrace visible from the outside located on the 158th floor, where you can enjoy views from two separate overlooks. During your stay at Burj Khalifa, you can utilize the four swimming pools available in the complex or spend hours reading in the library reserved for tower members. If you want to enjoy some private time after dinner, the world’s highest nightclub on the 144th floor awaits. This immense building also houses the highest mosque, allowing guests to perform their prayers without leaving the tower. To reach Burj Khalifa, you can take the metro or a taxi, but the accommodation prices per night in this tower do not drop below $300. If you wish to explore the various details and beginnings of Burj Khalifa while in Dubai, do not hesitate to visit it and witness one of the wonders of our present age.
2. **Shanghai Tower - 632 meters in China**
Despite Shanghai Tower being the tallest building in China at 632 meters, it comes in second place worldwide. Furthermore, this tower carries other records that make it special as it features the highest observation deck in the world. Completed in 2015, the Shanghai Tower is the second tallest skyscraper globally, commencing construction on November 29, 2008, and completed after a 7-year hiatus. Designed by the American architectural firm Gensler, the project was led by Chinese architect Jun Xia. The skyscraper accommodates 16,000 people daily and consists of 320 floors, including a hotel and shops. China remains at the forefront of many countries in terms of constructing tall buildings and skyscrapers, and this time it has managed to secure second place with the design and construction of the Shanghai Tower.
Shanghai is arguably the most important city in China, earning the nickname "East New York," so it is not surprising that the Chinese chose to build their most significant skyscraper here. The first aspect that captures visitors' attention is the tower’s height, but its distinctive spiral design is equally striking. This unique structure is designed to withstand earthquakes, winds, and storms, showcasing various protective features engineered by the Chinese. Like many of the tallest towers in the world, the Shanghai Tower includes facilities such as a hotel, offices, and a restaurant offering delicious Chinese and Western cuisines. The hotel is located on the 105th and 109th floors and is known as the highest hotel in the world. One of the factors that set this building apart is the high-speed elevators designed by Mitsubishi, allowing you to reach the top of the Shanghai Tower and enter the list of the fastest climbers in the world. At the tower, you can enjoy a different charm with its nighttime view, where shopping centers await you, in addition to places to enjoy at night. Upon your arrival in Shanghai by plane, the city welcomes you with an excellent metro system as an alternative to buses and taxis to reach this tower.
3. **The Abraj Al Bait Towers - 601 meters (Mecca), Saudi Arabia**
Built as a hotel to accommodate pilgrims who come to the city for worship at the Holy Mosque, this makes it one of the most preferred towers, especially since it is located in the holiest places in the world. This complex structure offers pilgrims the chance to stay and pray while facing the building towards the Kaaba. It also holds the record for being the heaviest building in the world, standing at 601 meters. Known as the Makkah Royal Clock Tower, this immense building is government-operated and its center hotel features the widest front facade in the world, positioned just meters from the Holy Mosque, a sacred site for Islamic worship.
Construction of this 120-floor building began in 2004 and was completed in 2012. It may be hard to believe, but this building is classified as the third tallest building in the world, recognized as one of the towering structures, at a height of around 601 meters. The tower hosts the tallest clock in the world, and interestingly, the Makkah Royal Tower is six times larger than the famous Big Ben in London, despite being 45 meters high and 43 meters wide. The Abraj Al Bait Towers or Royal Makkah Clock Tower has been built near the Holy Mosque as a major investment project that includes various shopping centers, a conference hall, luxury hotels for pilgrims, a mosque with a capacity of 3,500 worshippers, and parking space that can accommodate around 1,500 cars—truly one of the most significant complexes.
At the top of the tower, there is an observatory, more important than any other observatory above the towers of the world, as Muslims can determine the beginning and end of Ramadan from it. There is also a large museum in the tower displaying elements tied to Islamic values, such as artifacts from the time of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), images from ancient times, and various Islamic relics such as pieces from the Kaaba's covering and doors from the Kaaba, along with various artifacts related to the Islamic heritage of the Kaaba. The luxury and uniqueness of this commercial skyscraper also influence hotel prices and shopping centers, leading many people to prefer it during their religious visits, as staying in this tower allows for a view of the Kaaba and the skies over Mecca in a different way.
4. **Lotte World Tower (554.5 meters), Seoul - South Korea**
It is now South Korea’s turn to showcase its construction industry. Lotte World Tower, located in Seoul, the capital of South Korea, stands at approximately 555 meters. Despite this height and hosting 123 floors, this distinctive structure has managed to register its name among the tallest towers in the world. It took the Koreans thirteen years to complete the glass building, finally opening in 2017, inspired by traditional Korean artistic shapes that blend global symbolism with traditional Korean beauty and humanity, technology, progress, and nature—it embodies urban life in a single building. Inside the tower, there are office spaces, a shopping center, luxury apartments, and hotels. The complex also includes an amusement park and shopping mall among the places where you can spend time.
Lotte World Tower also has a concert hall, a rooftop café, an excellent healthcare center, and a fitness center. You can experience exceptional value here, especially considering the tower’s height. Upon reaching the 117th and 123rd floors, the city spreads beneath you, and you can discover the glass-floored observation deck offering an unprecedented view of the city of Seoul. Additionally, there is a space in the back of the building for a stunning fireworks display. This tower boasts the highest observation deck in the country at 500 meters, while the hotel within is called SIGNIEL SEOUL, a first-rate establishment. Also, there is the global fashion center Lotte World Mall, Lotte Duty Free, the largest duty-free shop in the city, as well as the largest luxury store in the country and the largest urban aquarium, and the Lotte Concert Hall which is the first classic-style concert hall in Korea, and the largest in Asia with the multi-screen Lotte Cinema. Overnight stays at this luxurious hotel in the tower's upper floors are quite lavish.
5. **Petronas Towers - 451.9 meters, Malaysia**
The twin towers in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, consist of 88 floors and rise to 452 meters. They house the headquarters for Petronas Petroleum Holdings and held the title of the tallest building in the world from 1998 to 2004. Although the towers that had held the record for being the tallest in the world for many years have dropped to lower ranks today, these towers still occupy the title of the tallest buildings in the region, attracting thousands of tourists annually. Inside the Petronas Towers are offices, shopping centers, a natural science museum, and an art exhibition. The two towers are linked by a sky bridge measuring 170 meters above the ground and contain 76 elevators.
6. **Willis Tower - 442 meters - USA**
The Willis Tower located in Chicago, USA, is the tallest building in the hemisphere. The tower rises to 442 meters, and its visitors enjoy stunning views of Chicago from its peak. Construction began in 1970 and the 110-floor building was completed in 1973, remaining the tallest building in the world until the Petronas Towers were inaugurated in 1997. As such, it is the oldest building on the list of the tallest skyscrapers in the world.
7. **Taipei 101 - A Unique Skyscraper in Taiwan**
For many years, Taipei 101 was the tallest skyscraper in the world until other countries built taller towers. However, this does not diminish the value of Taipei 101, which remains prominently listed among the tallest buildings in the world. Its real name is Taipei Financial Center, derived from the 101 floors of the building, which stands at 508 meters. Interestingly, the design model of this tower is inspired by a bamboo tree, with construction taking about six years, from design to completion, between 2004 and 2010. The panoramic view from the top of the tower is breathtaking, as you can stand on specially designed terraces on the upper floors and enjoy stunning views of the city from miles away.
There are additional remarkable features about this tall tower, with its observation deck located at the top of Taipei 101 allowing you to view both small and large stars. An impressive high-speed elevator takes you from the ground floor to the top in just 40 seconds. Taipei 101 also features a shopping mall and food court. Designed to withstand earthquakes, this tall skyscraper has remarkably suffered no damage from earthquakes over the years, thanks to its earthquake-resilient construction. It still proudly watches over Taiwan from above. We recommend visiting it to enjoy this stunning tower, one of Taiwan's major attractions.
8. **Tianjin Financial Center - 530 meters, China**
Some people believe that China constructs these tall and famous towers to showcase its economic strength, aiming to present itself as a superpower dominating the global economy. The Tianjin World Financial Center, located in the Hebei district of Tianjin, is the tallest building currently under construction there, featuring a prominent office building and a five-star hotel preferred by leaders from all nations. Designed by the American architectural firm SOM, the main structure of Tianjin Tower is based on elements of traditional Chinese origami art and resembles a sail with a strong modern aesthetic.
Architecturally, the structural lateral strength system of Tianjin Tower relies on thin steel shear walls, enabling the building to endure wind and earthquake pressures. Triangular folding windows enhance internal lighting. At first glance, the building appears conical, designed to protect the Tianjin Financial Center from harmful winds and storms, effectively reducing wind impact on the structure. It is an outstanding urban complex with distinctive urban landmarks, chosen as one of the top ten tallest skyscrapers in the world in 2011.
Perhaps the builders of the Tianjin Financial Center aimed to elevate China to first place by possessing the tallest tower in the world under its name. Notably, at the top of the Tianjin Financial Center, there’s a spot from which you can view an overview of the city; you can reach this place using one of the fastest elevators in the world. Completed in 2011, the 530-meter skyscraper features 96 floors and includes commercial offices and luxury hotels, offering a breathtaking view of the urban landscape.
The Phoenix Towers
However, soon the Burj Khalifa in Dubai will no longer hold the title of the tallest building in the world; the British studio Chetwoods has unveiled their design proposal for the tallest building globally to be constructed in the Chinese city of Wuhan. The Chinese Hua Yan Group has been commissioned to build the Phoenix Towers, reaching a peak height of 1 kilometer, which they believe will attract visitors to the 47-hectare site occupying one of the lakeside islands in the province. Upon completion, the tallest tower in the complex will surpass the Burj Khalifa by 150 meters.
The design proposes specific environmental functions for the tallest tower, allowing it to purify city air from pollution. Among its features are filters for purifying surrounding lake water and air, along with solar power generation. The sun will heat the upper part designated for mechanical functions while pulling cool air toward the filtration systems. Another feature of the tower is a perforated façade with a ventilation and lighting control system, housing a large vertical garden along with restaurants, exhibition halls, and recreational areas. Half of the tallest tower will be dedicated to residential purposes. Additional environmental functions include photovoltaic cladding, wind turbines, biomass boilers, and hydrogen fuel cells.
This ecological focus justifies the height and function of the tower. The towers will occupy a space of 7 hectares with concrete bases and cores complemented by a super-strong metal construction. Architects designed the bases to resemble the elevated root structure of mangrove trees, with supports connecting each structure to the ground, creating an open area at the base and around it, where tourist activities will take place. They also incorporated symbolic meanings into the towers based on the notion of the Chinese phoenix represented as a male and female bird. Thus, architects refer to the tallest tower with "nourishing functions" like purification and energy generation as the male tower, in contrast to the second, labeled as the more "passive" female tower.
Architect Chetwoods stated that China aimed to "take the Eiffel Tower experience to a further stage," wanting to create an iconic symbol for Wuhan while integrating a significant number of ecological ideas to justify the size and shape, as stated by the architect. His comments reflected the differences between Chinese and English mentalities, describing them as "more crazy" and "commercial" thus allowing them to implement such ideas. Construction is expected to start by 2015, with projections for completion three years thereafter.
