World’s Tallest Buildings

World’s Tallest Buildings: From Taipei to Dubai

Mankind loves to reach new heights-we pride ourselves on it in fact. And why not reach new heights with our buildings too-that we get the joy of seeing the new heights for ourselves and climbing them as well to get the view from the top. The following is a list of the world’s tallest buildings, from all over the place. If nothing else, you should try to visit these before you die and get truly inspired by what mankind can do when he wants to climb high.

Update: Dubai Tower is now Officially the tallest Buildings in History.

Khalifa Tower, Burj Dubai

Taipei 101, Taipei, Taiwan

At a jaw dropping 1671 feet (509 meters) high with 101 floors, this massive building in Taiwan is the first to break the half kilometer tall mark-and that’s without counting the five floors underground! Taipei 101 cost a whopping $1.76 billion to build and is now called one of the seven new wonders of the world. It is built with the Chinese ideas on prosperity in mind, with eight tiers of eight stores. There are sixty one elevators to conquer before you get to the top, but you wouldn’t want to have to walk all those stairs, not even on a bet.

Shanghai World Financial Center

Shangai’s World Financial Center takes position two at 1614 feet (492 meters) and 101 floors. This building was meant to dominate the skyline in Shanghai and showcase the architectural brilliance of the designers, as well as ushering in a new era of modernity for the city. It has a massive mall, a huge five star hotel, sixty two floors devoted to offices. The construction cost $1.20 billion and has thirty one elevators to help you avoid the stairs. Meant to stand out in the city, it succeeds with its huge height and brilliant lights.

2.Shanghai World Financial Center

Grabbing spots three and four on our list is the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpar, Malaysia. It is also the tallest twin tower structure in the world. They are 1483 feet (452 meters) high and have 88 floors. The bridge in the rough center is meant to allow people to travel between the two towers and provide escape in case of a fire. Looking like something out of a science fiction movie, these elegant towers had held the number one title until Taipei was built.

3/4. Petronas Twin Towers

Grabbing spots three and four on our list is the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpar, Malaysia. It is also the tallest twin tower structure in the world. They are 1483 feet (452 meters) high and have 88 floors. The bridge in the rough center is meant to allow people to travel between the two towers and provide escape in case of a fire. Looking like something out of a science fiction movie, these elegant towers had held the number one title until Taipei was built.

5.The Sears Tower

At spot five, we see the Sears Tower standing at 1451 feet (452 meters) and 108 floors high. The Sears Tower in Chicago was constructed in 1974 and was once the world’s tallest building, even overshadowing the World Trade Center. It still has the world’s highest livable floors, for all those who like a ‘bird’s eye’ view of the city and it is said that from the top, you can see the four surrounding states. The building even leans a little due to how it was designed. It attracts over a million tourists a year and you should be one of them.

6.Jin Mao Tower

Number six on our list is the dizzying Jin Mao Tower at 1380 feet (421 floors) and 88 floors. This tower in Shanghai was meant to bring prosperity to the city and its design by a Chicago company reflects that. It was built in 1999 and is one of the best constructed buildings in China. It is estimated to have cost $530 million to build and now houses a massive hotel and offices. Maintaining this building costs $121,000 USD a day! Worth it? Go see for yourself.

7.Two International Finance Center

Spot seven is snagged by the International Finance Center in Hong Kong, China. Dominating the Victoria Harbor at 1362 feet (415 meters) and 88 floors, the building dwarfs the original International Finance Center. Although it is meant for business, especially telecommunications, there are also several stores inside. It is one of a few buildings in the world with a double deck elevator. Fun Fact: Some of the floors, like the 14th and 24th are taboo and considered bad luck, so they stay empty.

8.CITIC Plaza

The China International Trust and Investment Center Plaza in Guangzhou China sits in majestic spot eight at 1283 feet (391 meters) and 80 floors. It was constructed in 1997 and is the tallest concrete building in the world. It is also the fourth tallest building in China. The building is meant to showcase the prosperity of Guangzhou and is built near the site of some of the Asia 2010 athletic games.

9.Shun Hing Square

Spot nine is taken by the Shun Hing Square in Shenzhen China. The building stands at 1260 feet (382 meters) and 69 floors. Although not the tallest building, it is widely considered to be one of the most beautiful with its elegant skyscraper and bluish green glass work. It is the tallest all steel building in China and fifth tallest as well. It was built swiftly in 1996, at an inspiring rate of four floors built in nine days! There is an observation deck which costs $12 USD to reach, but it’s worth the view.

10.Empire State Building

And of course, what kind of world’s tallest building list would this be without the famed Empire State Building, the oldest on this list, if not the tallest. It stands at 1250 feet (381 meters) and 102 floors and was constructed in 1931. No longer the world’s tallest building; it still remains the most famous, thanks to King Kong and numerous tourists. It is however one of the seven wonders of the modern world and the view of it at night with all of its lights is considered a tourist sight in its own rights.

Of course, being buildings wrought by man, we’re hardly finished. An attempt is being made even now by the Burj Dubai Tower in Dubai, United Arabs Emirates. It is still under construction, but will be considered the tallest building in the world when it is completed. It has already overtaken Taipei in height and rumors abound that it will be 900 meters high when it’s finished.

So there you have it, a list of the top ten tallest buildings in the world, though soon this list will have to be revised with Burj Dubai put at the top. Still, it would be a worthy endeavor to go visit them all and try and get to the top of all of them too and see how far you can see. It really will make you think about how far mankind has come in construction and how much farther we can still go. Imagination is the only limit now !