Are you intrigued by ingenious architecture? World records? Then Burj Khalifa is just the place for you.
The first time I was in town, the tallest building in the world was not yet completed. Its proposed height was a well-guarded secret and the working title was Burj Dubai, the Dubai Tower.
That was early in 2009. At the inauguration ceremony, about a year later, the official name became Burj Khalifa, after Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, emir (prince) of Abu Dhabi and president of the United Arab Emirates.
Burj Khalifa is a sight to behold, completely dwarfing the rest of Dubai’s futuristic skyscrapers. From the top of this stunning steel-and-glass structure, they all look like Legos.
Tallest building in the world – and other world records
The height, now anything but a secret, is 828 metres. 828! That’s almost 200 metres taller than Tokyo Skytree, the world’s second tallest structure. But that’s not all. Here are just a few more of its world records: the highest outdoor observation deck, the highest occupied floor, the lift with the longest travel distance: you’re whizzed up to the 124th and 148th floor viewing platforms, at a speed of 10 metres/second.
Sound like a stomach-churning experience, you say? It isn’t. Nothing at all uncomfortable about the Burj Khalifa lift, just a super-cool experience in blue. Do you have acrophobia, fear of heights? Leaning out of my friend’s 13th floor terrace roof always gives me a tingling feeling, I’m convinced I can actually fly; scary and thrilling. But Burj Khalifa is so tall none of that’s relevant. It feels more like seeing the city through the plane window.
Inside the Burj Khalifa lift
If you’d like to see Dubai from the very top of the man-made world, be sure to book in advance – both because tickets sell out quickly and because you get a much better price than at the door. Try an evening visit; watching the sun set over the desert and the Persian/Arabian Gulf from this height is spectacular, and gorgeously lit fountains dance in the park below.
Disclosure: This time in Dubai, I was a guest of Emirates and Dubai Tourism. As ever, I retain full freedom to write whatever I want.
For more travel photos from around the world, hop over to this week’s Travel Photo Thursday.
Wow! What a building! Sounds like quite an adventure to visit Burj Khalifa. I might be a little nervous about that elevator ride, but would jump at the chance to have this experience. Your photos are fantastic!
Thanks, Cathy. No need to be nervous about the lift, it was very comfortable.
I’m fascinated by tall buildings like the Burj Khalifa despite the fact that I’m terrified of heights! Would love to visit this one some day!
Loads to do for kids in Dubai, too 🙂
Wow! The Burj Khalifa is a real piece fo art! It seems that it has the tallest viewing platform in the world.
For sure 🙂
I suppose the only time I’d like to see a tall building is from pictures like yours. One has to really go far back to show how tall it really is. Impressive (though I’m not a fan of this country).
It towers above Dubai’s skyline. Have you been in the UAE, Marlys?
Wow, I’m feeling slightly envious now. All my engineering friends would give severe bragging rights to anyone who has visited Burj Khalifa.
I know… mine too 🙂
Love the photo of the Lego like buildings below. Sounds like a must do experience if you’re in Dubai. How much does it cost to go up?
125 AED in the morning and after 6pm. 200 AED 2 – 5.30pm. That’s if you buy online. At the door, it’s usually much more expensive.
Beautiful…
Thanks, Muza-chan 🙂
I’ve always wanted to go to Dubai! And now I get to!! (For about three hours as we layover en route to Bangkok. Will have to continue enjoying it through your blog! Great photos!
Hm… 3 hours probably isn’t enough to leave the airport, I’m afraid. Maybe plan a longer lay-over next time, overnight preferably. 🙂
I’m sure the surrounding area from up there looks like a map rather than a city. That must be really very tall that you can see the Persian Gulf. How’s the visiting floor on top? Can you walk around and see all angles?
Yes, you can walk around all the way. Now, even though you’re outdoors, there are glass walls: more challenging for photography, but better for safety, I suppose.
Hi Sophie, Burj Khalifa always intrigued me and have been wanting to see it. It sounds even more amazing than I thought. I hope my knees won’t turn into jelly from an observation deck that high. Wow, the elevator alone looks so fab! I’m even more curious to see it now.
No worries, it’s simply too high up for that jelly-knees feeling 🙂
I’d be concerned about the speed of the elevators but sounds like they had that mastered. Quite an impressive feat of engineering. Wonder if the top is hidden on cloudy days… anyway, I bet it’s a spectacular sight at nights.
Surely it must be hidden on cloudy days. That said, I’ve been in Dubai four times now, and have yet to experience a cloudy day.
Hi Sophie,
Wow, awesomeness! Even more cool is the inside view. I recall visiting Kuala Lumpur when the Towers there were like Top 5 in the world. I think at the time, at least 😉
Thanks for sharing!
Ryan
Would love to see the Petronas Towers, too.
Hi Sophie. I love tall buildings! Actually, your first photo makes me dizzy! 🙂 Thanks for linking up this week. #TPThursday
🙂
This is such an engineering marvel that I’d love to see it in person someday soon. Beautiful views and I can’t even imagine how high up this is. Lucky you for finally getting to go up here.
Really must be experience.
What a fantastic building, admittedly my first glimpse of it was actually in the most recent Mission Impossible, I would love to see it for real – although I would kind of like an action packed adventure whilst there!! 🙂
Like base jumping from the top, maybe? 😉
What shall I say? WOW!
All that needs to be said 🙂
I’ve still not been to Dubai and it intrigues me. Seeing this building worth almost make the trip worthwhile. I write so much about ancient wonders, you can’t forget that this is really a modern one!
Would be a great stopover on the way to Oz, Turtle. And there’s a UNESCO site just 1.5 hours away.
I have never been to Dubai, my cousin invited me for a trip next year. This post has got me all excited.
You’ll have fun. Dubai is not like anywhere else 🙂
Would be very cool to head to the top!
Not exactly a mountain, but very interesting all the same 🙂
Burj Khalifa looks Looks lovely ! Malaysia and Dubai has always been on the race to build the highest buildings 🙂
Japan is throwing in a bid, too 🙂
Goodness! What a building! Sounds like a significant experience to visit Burj Khalifa. I may be somewhat anxious about that lift ride, yet would seize the opportunity to have this experience. Your photographs are fabulous!