What do the largest cities on Earth have in common? Whether you're in Dubai, Shanghai, New York or Kuala Lumpur, your gaze is stubbornly upward. Skyscrapers have become real symbols of modern metropolises. These are not just buildings - these are urban legends, the embodiment of ambition and engineering courage: people live, work, relax, and dine here with a view of the clouds. In front of you are 11 skyscrapers, each of which is higher than 500 meters. Yes, more than half a kilometer! Each is unique in its own way.
Burj Khalifa, Dubai – a symbol of the new East
If you've ever been interested in high-rise buildings, you've definitely heard of it. The Burj Khalifa is no longer just a building, but an icon of the era. 828 meters up. More than 160 floors. It is as if it stretches out its hand to the sky in the middle of the desert!
Its construction began in 2004 and was completed in 2010.
An interesting fact: concrete for construction was poured only at night and ice was added to it so that the mixture did not overheat under the scorching sun.The shape of the tower resembles three petals diverging to the sides - not only aesthetics, but also a calculation for stability. Burj Khalifa is a whole mini-city with hotels, offices, parks and fountains.
Merdeka 118, Kuala Lumpur – Height as a manifesto
Malaysia now also has its own record holder - the Merdeka 118 tower with a height of 678.9 meters. The name is not accidental: "Merdeka" means "independence", and 118 is the number of floors.
The building was built for almost 10 years - from 2014 to 2024. It has withstood everything, both pandemics and crises. Inside, there are mainly offices and public spaces. It is also the first building in the country to be certified according to international sustainable building standards!
Shanghai Tower is a vertical city
632 meters, 127 floors - and all this with an elegant twist of the façade, like a ribbon dancing in the wind. The Shanghai Tower seems to come to life before our eyes! Inside, there are real "green" atriums: between the double glass walls, there are zones with plants that regulate the microclimate: cool in summer, warm in winter. In case of Shanghai winds, everything is thought out - the building is resistant to gusts.
Royal Clock Tower, Mecca – Clock Tower
601 meters, 43-meter dial, hands longer than the bus. This building is visible from afar – and not only because it is huge: it is a whole complex of seven towers, and the tallest of them is decorated with a crescent moon. On the roof there are solar panels, inside there are hotels, shops, museums, prayer halls. The Royal Clock Tower is a grandiose project where each floor breathes history and spirituality.
Pingan, Shenzhen – Tower without a spire, but with character
599 meters are almost on par with the previous ones, but without the spire, which was excluded at the final stage of the project: safety is above ambition. The tower connects the two high buildings with bridges, as if intertwined between heaven and earth. Inside there is everything for business life and not only: restaurants, boutiques, panoramic elevators. The open observation deck is especially impressive - the city is in full view!
Lotte World Tower, Seoul – a skyscraper with a soul
555 meters, 123 floors, inspiration is in national traditions, because the architects were inspired by Korean pottery and calligraphy.
The tower opened in 2017 and immediately became a new landmark of Seoul. There is no classic air conditioning system here – instead, modern environmentally friendly technologies are used: air flows, underfloor heating and intelligent climate control. Downstairs there is a huge mall with cinemas and recreation areas.
One World Trade Center, New York – A New Hope
One WTC is not just a building, but a symbol of restoration, overcoming and new hope. It is built on the site of the Twin Towers and rises 541 meters into the sky. Every detail here is about safety: powerful walls, air filtration, well-thought-out escape routes. At the top is an observation deck with perhaps the most impressive panoramic view in New York.
CTF Finance Centre, Guangzhou – Sun, Glass & Ceramics
With a height of 530 meters, this skyscraper seems to be assembled from light! The façade is finished with ceramics, which do not overheat, and the glass reflects the sun's rays and lets in maximum daylight inside. Inside there is a combination of a business center, a hotel and residential apartments. The building has a streamlined shape, thanks to which air flows do not create unnecessary pressure.
CTF Centre, Tianjin – Resistance to the elements
Another "brother" from the CTF family is in Tianjin: it also reaches 530 meters and has 97 floors. A distinctive feature is eight inclined megacolumns that help the building withstand earthquakes. The façade is made of curved glass - it looks futuristic and modern.
CITIC Tower, Beijing – a skyscraper with a reference to the Bronze Age
The tallest building in Beijing reaches 528 meters. But the main thing is the form! The architects were inspired by ancient Chinese vessels: the base is wide, narrows towards the middle, and expands again towards the top. The tower is connected to the metro and pedestrian galleries, there is a platform for helicopters, and inside there are business spaces, a hotel and apartments.
Taipei 101 – An engineering marvel in an earthquake zone
It was once in first place, and although Taipei 101 is now inferior in height, it remains a technical marvel. 508 meters — that's right above an active tectonic fault! To cope with earthquakes and typhoons, the building has two giant dampers - 660-ton pendulums that dampen vibrations.
In addition, Taipei 101 is one of the most environmentally friendly skyscrapers: glass reflects the heat, reuses repurified water, energy efficiency is at a height (literally and figuratively).
These skyscrapers are not just high-altitude records. These are stories about a person's desire to reach the impossible. Technology, inspiration, ambition – everything mixes in glass and concrete, rushing to the sky. Judging by the projects that are still under construction, the race for height will not slow down!
