Top 10 Tallest Buildings in the World

01 Nov 2012 by Olga Brighton

Travel Information

Everybody likes to be on the top list. But only some manage to get this status. This applies not only to people. Today we will talk about supertall skyscrapers. There are around 100 completed skyscrapers in the world and many skyscrapers are still under construction. However, there are the most famous buildings that have acquired world fame. So, let’s see the list of top 10 tallest buildings in the world.

1. Burj Khalifa, Dubai, The United Arab Emirates - 828 m, 163 floors

The tallest skyscraper in 2012 is Khalifa Tower in Dubai. Burj Khalifa was officially opened on January 4, 2010. It became the world’s tallest building 1. First it was named as Burj Dubai, then its name was changed to the present name Burj Khalifa. Burj Khalifa is the centrepiece of a large-scale, mixed-use development with the world’s fastest elevators, the tallest freestanding structure, world's highest nightclub, swimming pool and restaurant and this list is pretty long. *I bet you are curious how much money this project cost. Let us tell you. The total cost was about $1.5 billion. Now we are curious who will dare to shatter the record of the tallest man-made structure on the planet?

2. Makkah Royal Clock Tower Hotel, Mecca, Saudi Arabia - 601 m, 120 floors

Makkah Royal Clock Tower Hotel is a part of a building complex that also has a five-story shopping mall, a parking garage, two heliports, conference centre, Islamic Museum and a Lunar Observation Centre. *On the top of the Makkah Royal Clock Tower Hotel, also known as Abraj Al-Bait Towers, there is the tallest clock tower in the world. The four-faced clock is visible from 100 kilometres away. The clock is visible even at night as it is illuminated by 2 million LED light.

3. Taipei 101, Taipei, Taiwan - 509 m, 101 floors

Having been built in 2004, the complex's hotel Taipei 101 has become the second tallest building in the world in 2012. Its symbolic name tells not only about the number of floors but also the mailing code of international business district in Taipei. *Reflecting the traditional Asian pagoda, Taipei 101 has 61 elevators and 8 segments of eight floors each. Why 8 is because this number is associated with prosperity and good fortune in Feng Shui.

4. Shanghai World Financial Centre, Shanghai, China - 492 m, 101 floors

It took 11 years to build starting in 1997 and was completed in 2008. It contains the full package of a typical skyscraper including offices, conference rooms, hotels, observation decks, shopping malls, museums, parking etc. There are three observation decks; the second one is named "Observatory Bridge". *The most special feature in the building’s design is a trapezoid aperture at the peak. The aim of this construction is to reduce the stresses of wind pressure.

5. International Commerce Centre, Hong Kong, Hong Kong - 484 m, 118 floors

As a part of Union Square, International Commerce Centre is located on the territory of Kowloon Station. ICC Tower is pretty young as it was only completed in 2010 and opened in 2011. All public places are situated on the upper floors. *ICC Tower has 30 passenger elevators, 14 shuttle elevators, and 2 VIP elevators. How much time do you think you would you need to try all elevators?

6&7. Petronas Tower 1 & 2, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - 452 m, 88 floors

Petronas Tower 1 & Petronas Tower 2 are twin skyscrapers built in 1998. Their construction can be considered as a multinational project. It has been designed by Argentinean and Indonesian architects, engineers from New York and Canada and many other people. *What is unusual about Petronas Towers is that they are connected by a skybridge. This 21st century construction is a bright example of the postmodern style. Steel and glass facade reflect motifs of Islamic art and Muslim religion.

8. Zifeng Tower, Nanjing, China - 450 m, 89 floors

Chinese Zifeng Tower occupies the 8th position in our hit parade. It was built in 2009 and designed for a financial centre, offices and hotel as most of the other skyscrapers. Zifeng Tower was designed by Adrian Smith, who is also a designer of the world’s tallest skyscraper the Burj Khalifa.

9. Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower), Chicago, Illinois, the U.S. - 442 m, 108 floors

Located in Chicago, Illinois, the Sears Tower was built in 1973. It is one of the oldest buildings that are in the top 10 list of the world’s tallest buildings. Till 1998 Sears Tower had the title of the tallest building in the world. Nowadays the highest point in Illinois, the Willis Tower, is still the tallest skyscraper in the United States. In 2009 Sears Tower was officially renamed the Willis Tower by Willis Group Holdings, which is a multinational insurance brokerage company headquartered in London. *If to add the length of the longest antenna of the Willis Tower to its total height, it would take the third place in the world record. They say that you can see 4 states from the top of the Sears Tower. Name which ones! ;)

10. Kingkey 100, Shenzhen, China - 442 m, 100 floors

Chinese skyscraper with symbolic name Kingkey 100 is completing our list of top tallest buildings. Office space occupies 2/3rd out of the whole space and six-star business hotel occupies the rest space. There is a garden and several restaurants on the top floors of the skyscraper. *One basement floor is connected directly to a metro station that is very comfortable. You will also be pleasantly surprised with the night view of this building.

Choose your next travel destination wisely and travel safe. Getting a cheap travel insurance at Globelink will only take a few minutes providing you with a peace of mind whilst abroad!