Traveling around the world is always exciting. But as you get to visit gigantic megapolises like New York or Tokyo, you might feel a bit overwhelmed with the abundance of sights and lack of time to see everything. However, there is another way. As technologies evolve, organisations started building the amazing skyscrapers, going higher and higher into the sky. By doing that, they enabled us, down-to-earth humans, take a trip to the heights above birds’ level. This means you can see the whole city and sometimes beyond through windows of these amazing structures all in one place.
Today, we decided to introduce you to the top-10 highest observation decks on Earth and here is the list (+bonus video if you read till the end).
10. Empire State Building, New York
The shortest on this list but one of the most well-known sky scrappers of the 20th century and the highest building on Earth for 39 years (surpassed by The Twin Towers) is The Empire State Building. With it’s total height of 431m and highest observation deck at 369m on the 102th floor, this great spot takes the tenth place in our top-10 list.
9. Petronas Towers, Kuala Lumpur
Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur have mostly become famous because of the bridge that unites them and allows free movement from one building to another, without the need of leaving the warmth of the walls. With the total height of 459m and its highest observation deck at 370m, this metal and glass construction takes the 9th place in our “hit-parade”.
8. Taipei 101, Taipei
Taipei 101 is one of those unique skyscrapers that allows you to see more than just a city around it but gives the chance to take a glance out of it. The amazing views of foggy mountains are open to everyone from the 91st floor at the height of 391m.
7. International Commerce Centre, Hong Kong
Even though the total height of the building is less than previous one (484m vs 509m), its 360-degree observation deck is located on the 100th floor at the height of 393m. The building also has a shopping mall and even a five-star hotel.
6. Willis Tower, Chicago
Topping at 527m, the Willis Tower has gotten huge internet fame for its full-glass balconies, that allow people take breathtaking photos (more like selfies today) with them at height of 412m (103rd floor) standing above the street on a glass plate. There was even more buzz when one of the plates actually got a crack.
5. CN Tower, Toronto
The CN Tower in Toronto totals at 553m and allows its visitors enjoy the fascinating views of the city from the viewing deck windows at the height of 446m. Could you imagine yourself working in an office somewhere in this sky-pike?
4. Tokyo Skytree, Tokyo
Mostly serving the purpose of broadcasting transmitter and tele-tower, this 553-meter tower could fit 4 public observation decks within itself. Starting with 340m and going up to 451m it allows you see the maximum of Tokyo in one spot.
3. Shanghai World Financial Centre, Shanghai
Just to give you the sense of how tall this building is, its height is just as high as The Shard and two BigBen Clock Towers stacked on top of each other. Offices, hotels, shops – this 492-meter tower lets you get almost to the very top of the building, with the observation deck at the height of 474m (100th floor).
2. Canton Tower, Guangzhou
For a relatively long time, the Canton Tower held the name of the tallest building and observation deck in the world with the total height of 600m and observation deck at 488m. But then this happened….
1. Burj Khalifa, Dubai
If you haven’t heard of this gorgeous building before, you must have lived under the rock. As this (get ready for it) 828-meter wonder has just set its fourth Guinness World Record. As for October 2014, it is the tallest skyscraper in the world as well as simply the highest building on Earth, the tallest man-made structure on the planet, the highest restaurant and now the highest observation deck in the world. While previous observation deck could only take third position in the top 10 list, the newly opened deck is located on the 148th floor, which is 555m high up in the sky. Just stop for a second and think about it. 555 meters is just 45 meters less than TWO Shards stacked. It is 10 Leaning Towers of Pisa, or Eiffel Tower + Big Ben + Pisa + Statue of Liberty all combined! And if this is not impressive, what is?
Well, world records are great, but when it comes to real life, it is still metal and glass. Or should we say walls and windows. And every window requires professional cleaning… Even if it is as high as 828 metres So to make sure you get the point, here is a video from BBC, showcasing window cleaning of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai on on head-spinning heights of its world’s highest windows.
And there you go! The list of top 10 highest observation decks in the world with the highest windows on Earth that you can look through. However, don’t forget we live in a constantly changing world. As soon as 2015 this record will be beaten in China at least once.
Tags: highest observation decks in the world, observation decks, skyscrapers, towers
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