Built in 2007, Burj Khalifa was the world’s tallest building until its height was surpassed by the construction of the Makkah Royal Clock Tower Hotel in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. And although it was built to be a working skyscraper, it also stands as Dubai’s most prominent landmark, drawing in more tourists than any other attraction in the country. Here are five reasons why Burj Khalifa is Dubai’s number one attraction (and probably yours too).
In order to understand why Burj Khalifa is Dubai’s first attraction, you need to know a little bit about the history of Dubai and the country’s relationship with this iconic skyscraper. Burj Khalifa was officially opened on January 4th, 2010, after seven years of construction, at a cost of 2.3 billion dollars. The highest skyscraper in the world, it stands over 828 meters (2,717 ft.) tall!
Burj Khalifa
Named after UAE President, Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the tallest building in the world and one of the most recognizable landmarks in Dubai. The skyscraper rises to 829m/2,722ft, making it more than twice as tall as the Empire State Building and almost 1km taller than Taipei 101 (5th tallest), China’s tallest building. Construction began in 2004 and was completed in 2009, with Burj Khalifa being officially opened on January 4th 2010 by UAE President Sheikh Khalifa and King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia.
1) The World’s Tallest Building
Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, has captivated visitors from all over the world since it was completed in January 2010. Standing at 2,722 feet tall (828 meters), it has been home to many interesting facts and events. The building stands on an artificial island filled with man-made lagoons. It also contains 100 stories and 160+ elevators which have transported more than 100 million people since its opening day in 2010.
2) A View from Above
Standing at 2,717 feet tall and boasting 160 floors, the Burj Khalifa is the world’s tallest building. Completed in 2010 and designed by American architectural company Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM), it took seven years to build. The design of the building was originally inspired by patterns found in Islamic art and architecture.
The 163 foot spire on top of the tower represents a traditional minaret from which Muslims are called to prayer five times a day. It also contains a restaurant that rotates slowly on a platform located near the top of the spire so diners can enjoy 360-degree views of the city.
3) The Dubai Fountain
The Dubai Fountain stands at an impressive height of 150 meters and has set the Guinness World Records for being the tallest fountain in the world. Standing on a man-made island in the middle of Lake Emirati, it shoots jets of water high into the sky while performing beautiful light shows to music. In addition to its main attraction, visitors can enjoy restaurants and other attractions on both sides of the lake. It’s only fitting that this amazing landmark would be considered as Dubai’s first attraction!
4) The Armani Hotel
The Armani Hotel in Dubai opened its doors to the public on December 12, 2012. The building has been designed by Giorgio Armani and stands 2,717 feet tall with 163 floors. Other than the amenities of a five-star hotel, there are three restaurants which have not yet been announced, but will likely be of the same caliber as other Armani establishments. The hotel also features an iconic atrium that has garnered much attention for its design and engineering prowess. It is said to have cost $1 billion to construct and will serve as one of the most luxurious hotels in the world when it opens its doors this December.
5) At the Top Experience
The At the Top Experience allows participants to enjoy a panoramic view of Dubai from the observation deck of the world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa. This tour includes round-trip transportation from one of our partner hotels, a visit to the 124th floor observation deck and a souvenir photo.
- The glass-bottom viewing level on the 124th floor offers visitors an uninterrupted 360° experience.
- The At the Top Experience provides breathtaking views and a chance to see some breath-taking architecture that is currently being built in Dubai.
- Visitors have a chance to learn about what life is like for locals living in this bustling metropolis.
How to get Burj Khalifa ticket
- Go to the website of Burj Khalifa.
- Click on the Tickets tab
- Choose your preferred date and time
- Fill in the rest of the information about yourself and click Next
- Choose whether you want to have a Fast Track Pass or not
- Fill in your payment details
- Your burj khalifa ticket will be sent to you via email
Conclusion
Dubai was the perfect place for the world’s tallest building. With a population of 2.1 million and an annual GDP of $226 billion, this major Arab city has become one of the most important commercial centers in the world. The building itself stands at a staggering 2,717 feet tall and has 164 stories, making it not only the tallest building in the world but also the tallest man-made structure ever built. It was designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP and constructed by Saudi Binladin Group which spent 4 years constructing it at a cost of $1.5 billion.
| Read more : The Best Mumbai Cruises to Take This Year |