7 best skyscrapers to visit around the world
The race to the sky is as old as time. Over the last century, the boom in building extravagant and tall skyscrapers has been a symbol of achievement for nations all over the globe. The best way to take in a city at a glance is by looking down from the tallest skyscraper. With that in mind, here are 7 of the most structurally beautiful and outstanding skyscrapers that are a must-visit at least once in your lifetime.
Empire State Building, New York, USA
When the Empire State Building was constructed, it was the tallest structure in the world at 381 metres, and it kept that position for 40 years, from 1931 to 1971. It continues to be a symbol of New York and is one of the most visited landmarks in the world. More than four million tourists from throughout the world visit the Empire State Building annually.
Shanghai tower, Shanghai, China
Up next is the tallest tower in Asia and currently the second tallest tower in the world. It is famous for holding the Guinness World Record of the highest observation deck in the world. Within it resides a Michelin-star restaurant, a 5-star hotel, and interestingly a bookstore on the 52nd floor respectively.
Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Currently, the title holder for the tallest twin towers in the world, The Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur are 88 floors tall, and the usage of the number eight throughout is a lucky symbol. The two towers joined by a flying bridge, were created by the late César Pelli.
The Shard, London, UK
London has one of the most eye-catching architectural landmarks surrounding the city, The Shard, however, manages to stand out and dwarfs all others as it is the tallest skyscraper in both the UK and all of Western Europe. It has two observation decks for tourists to view all of London and its historical buildings.
Lotte World Tower, Seoul, South Korea
The Lotte World Tower is the third tallest structure in Asia and the fifth tallest structure in the world, standing at 555 meters. The 123-story building is the ideal location to gain a bird's eye perspective of South Korea's capital city and holds two Guinness World Records. If you are scared of heights though, beware. Lotte Tower has a unique sky deck where the floor is made of glass and makes you feel as if you are walking on air.
Burj Khalifa, Dubai, UAE
Since 2010, Burj Khalifa has held the record for being the world's tallest structure. Given that the tower is more than twice as tall as the Empire State Building in New York, the description "gigantic" hardly does it justice. It holds many world records including the tallest man-made structure, the highest restaurant, the highest outdoor observation deck, and the tallest elevator system.
Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
Marina Bay sands may be the shortest tower on this list but it makes up for it by having one of the most spectacular views looking across the city of Singapore. Located on the seafront it acts as a proverbial gateway to the city. The design is also one of a kind that resembles a ship on top connecting the three structures below. The observation decks, restaurants, jogging park, and the world's tallest infinity pool are all housed up at the top.