Second tallest building in the world: Shanghai Tower The tallest skyscrapers in the world

shanghai tower- the newest skyscraper of the Chinese metropolis. It is not only the tallest building in Shanghai, but also highest tower of all China, and indeed the third tallest structure in the world. For many years, the 632-meter tower has become the dominant of the main Shanghai view -.

During a trip to China, I climbed observation deck in this tower to look at Shanghai from a height of 550 meters. However, the weather in the city is not a simple matter, and once again I experienced the peculiarities of Shanghai smog...

1. In terms of height, the Shanghai Tower (632m) is second only to the Burj Khalifa in Dubai (830m), and the Tokyo Skytree in Japan (634m - there is only a two-meter gap here!) building in the world.

2. The skyscraper was completed in 2015, and gradually opened throughout 2016. It is adjacent to two other ultra-tall buildings in Shanghai: Jinmao (left) and the World Financial Center, popularly known as the "opener" (middle).

3. These three skyscrapers, as well as the TV tower " Oriental Pearl"and make up main view Shanghai, his business card. In the evening, all these buildings are illuminated by bright lights, and are reflected in the waters of the Huangpu River - I would not be surprised if this is the most photographed frame in all of China.

4. My history with the Shanghai Tower began back in 2013 when I first visited China. Then, having arrived at the end of the trip to Shanghai, I saw a huge skyscraper, still under construction, standing next to two already impressive skyscrapers.

5. The unfinished tower looked very imposing, and a little ominous, especially in the late afternoon. The irregularly silhouetted structure looked like something out of Star Wars, a kind of powerful fortress of some space villain.

If you remember, next year a video made a lot of noise, where two Russian-speaking roofers penetrate the tower under construction, and on foot climb to the very top, and then into the boom of a construction crane. Here is the video (be careful, I got a little dizzy from watching!):

6. Then, when I arrived in Shanghai at the beginning of 2016, the tower was already completed, but unfortunately, the authorities did not manage to open it before my arrival. And I never managed to photograph it properly: the peak was hidden among thick clouds.

7. I saw how the workers were bringing the last details of the building before the opening, but unfortunately they were not allowed inside then. The tower officially opened later in 2016.

And now, a couple of years later, I finally got the chance to go upstairs, on the observation deck (after all, where is such a noble skyscraper without an observation deck ?!)

8. My hotel and office were in a nearby opener (...Spoiler alert: the commute to work wasn't as short as I expected.) Turns out the opener and the Shanghai Tower are connected by a futuristic underpass. When I saw him, at first I was afraid that someone would come and kick me out of this beautiful space. But then it turned out that this is just an ordinary passage through which people from a nearby metro station get to the main skyscraper of the city.

9. Although it was possible to pass through such a transition, in order to buy tickets to the observation point, you need to go outside to a specially equipped ticket office. The base ticket price for adults is 180 yuan (that's about $26). In addition, you can buy a ticket to the 25th floor (more on that later)

10. Almost all the observation decks of the main skyscrapers of the world make the visitor first go down the escalator. Near the entrance to the observation deck, the mascots of the event are sitting, two bears of a very intelligent appearance.

11. The canon of the genre: before going upstairs, the visitor must pass through the framework of a metal detector, and then he enters a mini-museum of the construction of this and other skyscrapers in the world. Here the tourist can learn various facts about the Shanghai Tower through various multimedia installations.

12. Other tower-brothers are also presented. For example, .

But about Tokyo Skytree, they decided to keep silent. Well, in the end, what is a two-meter difference? ..

14. But in one of the corners with talisman bears, St. Basil's Cathedral is painted, which is identified abroad with all of Russia. I don't quite understand what he's up to...

15. I go to the elevator...

16. And then I find out that this is not just an elevator, but the fastest elevator in the world, which runs at a speed of up to 20 meters / second. Near its doors there is even a letter from the Guinness Book of Records. Here is the luck!

17. Of course, inside the cabin there is a screen showing the speed. Unfortunately, I was unable to take top speed this elevator. Stupidly didn't make it.

18. And here I am at the top. This is the 118th floor, 546 meters above the ground. There aren't many people on the lookout right now...

19. And those who are, stand at the side, and try to see and photograph something.

20. It turns out they are not very good, since the view from the window is now like this:

21. The entire landscape is hidden by the famous Shanghai smog. You can barely see through it
the outlines of the nearest buildings, but in general nothing is visible. You can consider that I was unlucky with air quality, although in my experience, about 30% of the days in Shanghai are like that.

22. Next to the panoramic windows there is a mocking display showing what the picture could have been like if I arrived on another day. In fact, it's hard for me to imagine such a clear sky over Shanghai.

23. The only thing that shows through this gray veil is the neighboring skyscrapers. Here is Jinmao (built in 1998, height - 421 meters):

24. Next to it is the World Financial Center (2008, 494 meters):

25. Few visitors line up along the windows, trying to find a normal shot. No wonder they spent money on a ticket here. There must be at least one good photo!

26. Basically this photo is a shot of the "opener" outside the window. She hasn't fully merged with the mist yet.

27. One of the most popular attractions of tall skyscrapers is the "transparent floor" attraction. Since there is nowhere to do this in the Shanghai Tower, the designers inserted special touch monitors in one place into the floor, which begin to crack if you stand on them.

28. Soon pieces of the building fall off and the visitor is invited to stand on a glass surface at a height of 450+ meters and experience what it would be like to float above the ground at the same height. However, the picture quality leaves much to be desired.

29. Visitors to the tower look with curiosity at the fake floor with holes.

30. You can climb the stairs to the 119th floor.

31. Here the height is 552 meters. I remind you that the height of the observation deck in Burj Khalifa is 555m, only three meters higher. The network writes that the Shanghai Tower also has an observation tower on the 121st floor, and its height is 561 meters, that is. But at the time of my visit, they were not allowed in - it seems that it has not yet been opened since the completion of the tower.

32. There is a souvenir shop on the lookout. Here you can buy all sorts of uninteresting trinkets made in the image and likeness of the tower.

33. Who needs a pillow with a colorful view of the whole Pudong? .. Inexpensive! (Although possibly expensive, I haven't looked at it.)

34. If you bought a postcard in a souvenir, then you can send it right here - there is a mailbox on the observation deck. Just do not forget the stamp (you can also buy it in the souvenir shop).

35. Since this is still China, here. In the lobby of the observation room there is a charger for phones, and in general for everything electrical.

36. And here I saw a collection - I used to come across such only in Japan!

37. For some reason, an artificial tree was built here, which visitors decorate with hearts. The trunk and branches are made of papier-mâché, while the leaves are all plastic. The tree stands on a green "lawn" of photo wallpapers.

38. But next to it is a bench with real greenery. They can, when they want.

39. You can sit here and wait for the air to clear a bit (I actually left and came back the other evening).

40. When the smog is not so thick, there is a good view around the bend of the Huangpu River, including the old buildings of the early 20th century on far shore. In the evening twilight, the colorful lights of Shanghai are lit.

41. Two neighboring skyscrapers are also clearly visible, and below the city streets turn into rivers of warm light.

42. On the far shore are numerous gaudy skyscrapers of Chinese architecture. Here it is for you, Sim City...

43. Behind additional fee the visitor can go up to the 125th floor. There is no view from there (there are no windows in this room), but there is something else interesting here.

44. A huge multi-ton load is suspended here, which stabilizes the Shanghai Tower from fluctuations in the wind and in the event of an earthquake. This cargo is made in the form of curving petals, and it is not very visible from the 125th floor. But this is the most high place, where you can go up with ordinary tickets (you have to pay extra at the box office from the very beginning.)

45. They say there are private tours (they cost over $100) that take tourists to the 126th floor to see this thing in all its glory. I was not there, so I show you a photo from the network:

This is such an interesting skyscraper. Don't miss it when you're in Shanghai - you can visit it.

1. TV tower Pearl of the East

2. Jin Mao Tower (Jinmao Dasha) - translated from Chinese "Golden Prosperity".

3. Skyscraper World Financial Center (Shanghai World Financial Center), popularly nicknamed "The Opener"

4. Shanghai Tower - Shanghai Tower - Shanghai Tower.

You can look at Shanghai (weather permitting) from a bird's eye view from the observation decks in these skyscrapers, one above the other. Directions to everyone - Tunnel under the river, taxi or subway - to Lujiazui subway station 陆家嘴, Line No. 2 (Green)

Let's take a closer look at the observation decks in skyscrapers 1,2,3,4:

1. TV tower Pearl of the East东方明珠 or fuller name - 东方明珠广播电视塔

It has three viewing platforms: 90, 263 and 350 meters. Although the height of the tower itself (with a spire) is more significant - 468 meters. (For comparison - the Ostankino TV tower with a height of 540 m)
The Oriental Pearl TV Tower in Shanghai was, when built, the third tallest in the world and the first in Asia. But things change over time...

Visits in the evening, as more spectacular, are more expensive. There is a Buffet - Chinese buffet (Revolving restaurant (not cheap) for a fee)

Downstairs, in the TV tower, there is a very interesting museum historical development of Shanghai. Be sure to go (INCLUDED in the price of a ticket to visit ANY of the observation decks of the tower Pearl of the East.

Tickets for any observation deck of the TV tower), restaurant and museum are sold at the same box office (票房门票- box office).

The lighting of the TV tower is controlled by a computer: it changes depending on the weather and time of day!

There are many stalls with souvenirs, but they are more expensive even than those at the exit.

2. Jin Mao Tower 金茂 (Jinmao Dasha 金茂大厦) - translated from Chinese "Golden Prosperity".

Very often in Jin Mao, the number "8" or a multiple of "8" is used. This is no coincidence. The number "8" in China is benevolent, associated with prosperity, wealth. Even in the address the number of "house" and then from the eights -88.

Tower height - 420.5 m

Observation deck on the 88th floor (the elevator lifts it in 45 seconds)

On the 87th floor - the huge windows "The Ninth Cloud" of the five-star Grand Hyatt Hotel

Order (instead of a ticket) a cocktail, coffee and admire the view of Shanghai. It is interesting to look into the giant well-abyss of the floors of this hotel:

86th floor - Restaurant "ClubJingMao" with Shanghai cuisine. Attention! Dishes better cuisine Cantona (at the restaurant on the 55th floor) Expect about $40 per person.

55th floor - Delicious Cantonese Restaurant (Kantonese). Attention! The restaurant is quite expensive for China (also about $ 40 per person), there is also a bar on the same floor - "CloudBar". You can save.

Of course, these restaurants are attractive with a view from the windows. But the tables near the windows are very popular. So a couple of days before your visit, take care of booking a table near the window.

Suite - hotel Grand Hyatt Shanghai - was the tallest hotel in the world for a very short time: until another, higher skyscraper was built nearby - "Opener" with its hotel - Park Hyatt(about them later)

This one is five-star. Occupies floors 54 to 87 in the Jin Mao skyscraper.

The hotel lobby is on the 54th floor, and you can choose a room on any of the 33 floors located above. Prices for a double room start from 2500 yuan.

Address: Jinmao Tower, ShijiDadao, 88

(trans. Shiji Dadao 世纪大道)

The name of the street is translated as "Prospect of the Century"

The Jin Mao skyscraper was the tallest building in Shanghai until the Shanghai World Financial Center skyscraper was built next to it.

3. Skyscraper World Financial Center (Shanghai World Financial Center)

Height - 492 m-101 floor.

How the customers wanted the building to be as high as possible. At their request, the height during construction was increased by 32 meters (at first it was planned to be 460 m). They also asked to add a spire for higher growth, but then the architect and developer categorically said “no! It will be redundant"

With the shape of the hole (at the top to reduce air resistance) there were problems of a different kind. It was supposed to be round with a diameter of 46 m. But the Chinese, with the mayor of the city at the head, suspected that it looked like the sun on the flag of Japan. And it was built by a Japanese company, although the designer was an American “Ah, cunning!” The Chinese probably thought, “They are dragging their flag! Don't be like this!" And categorically opposed the round. To which they were answered something like this: “God be with you!” And they replaced the hole with a trapezoidal one. “It is easier for us, the builders, and, by the way, it will cost you less. Yes, and at the heart of your Chinese - calmer.

Finally, in 2008 the skyscraper was built.

The highest observation deck - on the 100th floor - almost at the very top - 472 meters from where the panorama of Shanghai is simply amazing. The second is on the 97th floor. With a ticket, enter the venue once

Suite - Park Hyatt Hotel Occupies floors from 79 to 93 for rooms. The price for a double room starts from 3600 yuan.

If you are not afraid of height (and prices too) - admire the view of Shanghai in luxury for at least the whole day. High-class comfort and various "interesting things" such as self-cleaning mirrors in the bathroom with a built-in TV screen are created here.

Address: ShijiDadao, 100 (Shiji Dadao Lane 世纪大道).

Now you can look down on Jin Mao. What do we do)

4. The highest skyscraper gives 2014. Shanghai Tower - Shanghai Tower - Shanghai Tower. An idea is a symbol of a rational future.

Height - 632 m

There: shopping mall, nine high-rise gardens, viewing platforms, business centers, restaurants and cafes.

It is planned that high-rise gardens located in this building will prevent excessive heating - cooling of the building, improve air quality, and special devices will collect rainwater, which will then be used for wind turbines, air conditioning and heating the air inside the building. It will be a whole city...

Reference: While the tallest skyscraper in the world - Burj Khalifa (Burj Khalifa) - was built in Dubai in 2010 (United United Arab Emirates) . The height with the spire is 829.8 m, the number of floors is 163.

The United Arab Emirates do not want to give the palm to anyone. They say they want to build even higher. How will this "race" of skyscrapers end?

Well, if there is a desire to go further, choose a route, it is entertaining and interesting.

In 2015, it will give way to the first Chinese and second world position to the Pingan International Financial Center under construction in the city of Shenzhen, and after 2016 it will become the 4th in the world, taking into account also India Tower in Mumbai.

Original taken from masterok in Skyscrapers of Shanghai: Shanghai Tower

I have already told you about the two skyscrapers in this picture. Here is the Shanghai World Financial Center, and here is Jin Mao. But now we'll talk about this twisted highest of the three.

The construction of the 121-story Shanghai Tower in China, which began in 2008, was completed earlier this year, and finishing work is now underway.

Here's how the construction went:

The Shanghai Tower is an ultra-tall building this moment the highest in Chinese city Shanghai, in the Pudong area. After the tower is completed, this building should become the tallest building in China, surpassing in height even such buildings as the Jin Mao Tower and the Shanghai World Financial Center. According to the project, the height of the building will be about 650 meters, and total area- 380 thousand m?. The construction of the tower should be completed in 2014. When completed, the tower building will be the third tallest building in the world, behind only the Burj Khalifa in the UAE, whose height is 828 meters, and the Tree of Heaven in Tokyo, which is 634 meters high. In August 2013, the tower building was completed to roof level.

According to Fang Qingqiang, chief engineer of the project, the Shanghai Tower will house offices, shops, a five-star hotel, exhibition and conference halls, as well as recreation and entertainment areas.

With the completion of the construction of the main structures of the building, work began to attract businessmen to the development of this complex, said Gu Jianping, president of the Shanghai Tower developer company. The new building will help meet the strong demand for comfortable and luxurious office space, he said, while Shanghai is actively developing into an international financial center and free trade zone.

A skyscraper designed by the large American company Gensler. The spiral-curved tower, even at its unfinished 580-meter form, is already actually the tallest building in China, surpassing the previous record holder, the 492-meter high-rise of the World Trade Center located next door.

However, even after commissioning next year, the Shanghai Tower will not long take the lead in the race of Chinese skyscrapers: in 2016, it is planned to complete the construction of the 660-meter International financial center Pinan in Shenzhen. In addition, the construction of the Sky City Tower in Changsha, 838 meters high, has recently begun, but a few days later, due to lack of necessary permits, it was frozen.

IN last years construction of skyscrapers on an unprecedented scale has unfolded throughout China. According to the Council on Tall Buildings and the Urban Environment, headquartered in Chicago, by 2020, China will be home to six of the top ten tall buildings in the world.

When completed in 2014, the spiral megastructure, along with the neighboring Jin Mao Tower and the Shanghai World Financial Center Tower, will complete the grand ensemble of three skyscrapers.

Shanghai Tower nominated for LEED Gold certification. The Shanghai Tower is built from nine cylinders stacked one on top of the other. The inner volume forms the building itself, while the outer façade creates a shell that rises up, rotating 120 degrees and giving the Shanghai Tower a curved appearance. The space between the two layers of the façade is created by nine sky garden atriums.

Just like in many other towers, the atrium of the Shanghai Tower traditionally houses restaurants, cafes and shops surrounded by lush landscaping in tandem with big amount entrances to the tower and metro stations under the building. The interior of the Shanghai Tower and the transparent exterior skins create a visual connection between the interior of the tower and the urban fabric of Shanghai.

The tower will have the fastest elevators in the world, specially designed for it by Mitsubishi using innovative technologies. The double-height elevator cabins will carry the building's occupants and visitors skyward at 40 mph (17.88 m/s). The façade's cone, texture, and asymmetry work together to reduce the building's wind load by 24 percent. This will save building materials in the amount of $58 million USD.

Transparent inner and outer shells of the building bring inside the premises maximum amount natural light, thereby saving on electricity.

The outer shell of the tower insulates the building, reducing energy consumption for heating and cooling. The tower's spiral parapet collects rainwater, which is used to heat the tower and the air conditioning system. Wind turbines located directly under the parapet generate power on site for the upper floors of the building.

Architects: Gensler

Owner, Developer . Contractor: Shanghai Tower Building & Development Co., Ltd.

Local Design Institute: Architectural Design and Research Institute of Tongji University

Civil Engineer: Thornton Tomasetti

Mep Engineer: Cosentini Associates

Landscape architect: SWA

Plot area: 30,370 square meters. Building area: 380,000 square meters above ground level; 141,000 square meters below ground level

Floors of the building: 121 floors

Height: 632 meters

Area: 0.0 sq.m.

Release year: 2014

Photos: Courtesy Gensler

The first skyscraper was built in the USA in 1885. Since then, the planet has been captured by gigantomania - every year the buildings are getting taller, and there are more and more people who want to look at the world from a bird's eye view.

Today we will tell you how to get to the observation decks of the most tall skyscrapers the world and what to do there.

Burj Khalifa. Dubai, UAE

Burj Khalifa - the building-record holder in the number of titles: the largest number floors, most high restaurant, the highest elevator, but most importantly - this is the tallest building in the history of mankind. The height of the skyscraper reaches 828 meters!

The observation deck of the skyscraper is called "At the top". Of course, it is not located at the very top of the Burj Khalifa, but from a height of 555 meters the view is no less impressive: visitors will see the artificial archipelago "Mir" (" The World”), the Palm Islands, Bastakia and the Persian Gulf. In the closed part of the observation deck, you can hide from the scorching sun, buy solid gold souvenirs and even travel back in time - special telescopes will show what Dubai looked like 20 years ago!

The ascent to the observation deck lasts only one minute, accompanied by a light show and intense music. As one visitor writes, “The Burj Khalifa elevator ride is an attraction in itself. You can feel like a hero of a Hollywood action movie!

By the way, about cinematography. Fans of Mission: Impossible should definitely visit the film's mini-exhibition, which is located a couple of floors below the observation deck. Several scenes from the penultimate part were filmed in the Burj Khalifa.

Where to buy tickets

Tickets can be bought on the first floor of the Burj Khalifa. Without pre-booking, they will cost about $100. You can book tickets online. This will avoid the queue and save money - the price when buying on the site will be only $ 32.

How to get there

By metro - Burj Khalifa station, or by buses No. 27, 29.

Shanghai Tower. Shanghai, China

The Shanghai Tower became famous all over the world even before its opening - in 2014, roofers from Russia climbed to the top of the skyscraper and posted a video of the rise on the Internet.

You can appreciate the desperation of the guys from the observation deck of the Tower, which is located at an altitude of 561 meters. This is the highest observation deck in the world, it even bypassed "At the top" Burj Khalifa! According to visitors, "from such a height it seems that not only the whole of Shanghai, but the whole world is at your feet." The transparent floor and sloping glass walls add to the sensations.

Climbing to such a height is not difficult - 106 elevators operate in the Shanghai Tower, moving at a speed of 16 meters per second. During the ascent, visitors are shown a video about the construction of a skyscraper, but it is difficult to make out what is at stake - it makes their ears prick from the speed.

Where to buy tickets

Tickets are sold at the box office on the first floor of the Shanghai Tower. You can buy them right before your visit. The cost is $27.

How to get there

Shanghai World Financial Center, Shanghai, China

For its unusual shape, the Shanghai World Financial Center received the title of the best skyscraper in 2008. locals His name is more simply - "Opener". Souvenir shops even sell real skyscraper-shaped bottle openers.

However, lovers thrill it is not the interesting shape of the building that attracts, but its observation deck. Prior to the opening of "At the top" in the Burj Khalifa, the observation deck of the Shanghai World Financial Center was the highest on the planet - 472 meters above ground level. Thrill-seekers will appreciate the glass roof of the site and balconies with transparent floors.

If the height makes you dizzy, you can take a break and watch an interactive film about the construction of the "Opener" or get acquainted with the history of Shanghai through special media presentations.

Where can I buy a ticket

Tickets can be purchased at the box office on the ground floor of the skyscraper. You just need to follow the arrows with the inscription "observation". Another way is to book them on the official website. The ticket price will be $27. On the day of birth, upon presentation of a passport, admission is free.

How to get there

Need to sit on green line Subway and get off at Lujiazui station.

World Trade Center. New York, USA

The World Trade Center was originally called the Freedom Tower and was built in memory of the infamous twin towers. Next to the skyscraper is a memorial to the victims of the September 11 attacks. It is made in the form of two fountains of black stone.

The ascent to the observation deck begins with an interactive video about the construction of New York - visitors will see how the first wooden houses how one-story buildings were replaced by skyscrapers. The video will not get bored - the elevator rises to a height of 390 meters in just one minute.

At the observation deck, visitors will find a typical attraction for such places - a glass floor. True, here it is just a computer simulator. But the view of the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan and Governors Island is real. You can even take a photo against their background (in fact, against the background of the wall, but experts will add what you need). The site has an interactive screen. Guests are offered to choose a New York landmark of interest and listen to a short lecture about it.

Where to buy tickets

Tickets for the observation deck are bought at the entrance. You will have to stand in two lines: at the checkout and at the entrance. Tickets cost $32. You can avoid the queue by purchasing a VIP ticket. It costs more - $ 56. You can also buy tickets online.

How to get there

By metro line E. Station - World Trade Center.

Taipei 101. Taipei, Taiwan

Taiwan can hardly be called a good place for the construction of skyscrapers: earthquakes often occur here due to the tectonic fault of the crust. However, Taipei 101 is considered one of the safest buildings in the world - during construction, an external frame was used to protect against earthquakes and a damper - a huge hanging ball that does not allow the skyscraper to sway when strong hurricanes. The building is equipped with the fastest elevators in the world - the lifting speed reaches 18 meters per second. No wonder Taipei 101 is listed as a Wonder of the World.

The skyscraper has two circular viewing platforms - external and internal. In the inner area there are information displays, exhibitions are held there, and you can buy souvenirs. The outer platform is located at an altitude of 392 meters. Visitors can use audio guides to see local sights and learn about the history of the city.

Every year in new year's eve fireworks are launched here - in 2005 they lasted only 30 seconds, in 2011 the duration increased to five minutes.

Where to buy tickets

You can get into the skyscraper for free, but you will have to pay to visit the observation deck. The ticket price is about 15 dollars. To skip the line, you need to buy a Fast Ticket, but its price is higher - $ 30. You can buy tickets at the box office in the building itself or online.

How to get there

You need to take the red subway line and go to Taipei 101 station.

Petronas towers. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The Petronas Towers are probably familiar to moviegoers: in the movie The Trap, the characters of Sean Connery and Catherine Zeta-Jones try to escape from the chase and move from one tower to another along glass bridge. Everyone can feel like the heroes of the movie - the bridge of the skyscraper is open to visitors. In addition to visiting the bridge, tourists will visit the circular observation deck. A high-speed elevator will take you there in less than one minute, and during the ascent, a hologram in the form of a woman will tell you about safety rules.

The observation deck is located at an altitude of 370 meters. From there opens beautiful view to the whole city, and most importantly - to the neighboring twin tower. If you have binoculars, you can even look into the windows of offices and hotel rooms!

The Petronas Towers also have more “earthly” attractions - a six-level shopping center on the lower floors and a huge park with fountains and attractions right at the entrance.

Where to buy tickets

Tickets are sold at the box office on the first floors of the Towers, but their number is limited. You can book on the official website.

How to get there

By metro line Kelana Jaya, station - Kuala Lumpur City Center.

Willis Tower. Chicago, USA

Compared to the Burj Khalifa or the Shanghai Tower, the Willis Tower seems like a dwarf: its height is only 442 meters. Nevertheless, it is the most popular skyscraper among extreme sportsmen. Those who like to tickle their nerves are attracted by an unusual observation deck, which is equipped with balconies with transparent walls and floors. "It's like you're hanging in the air!" tourists share their impressions.

The observation deck is located at an altitude of 412 meters. In clear weather, you can not only admire the surroundings of Chicago, but also see other states of America - Illinois, Michigan, Indiana and Wisconsin - with the help of telescopes and special binoculars. And in windy weather - feel the vibrations of the building!

Another popular place among visitors is the toilets at a height of 102 meters, which have been called the “highest” toilets on the planet.

Where to buy tickets

Tickets are sold on the ground floor of the skyscraper and cost $22. You can skip the line with a FastPass ticket. Its price will be $49. You can book tickets online.

How to get there

By metro - Quincy / Well station, or by buses number 1, 7, 28, 37, 126, 134, 135, 136, 151 and 156.

Empire State Building. New York, USA

Among all high-rise buildings, the Empire State Building stands apart. The skyscraper is older than its counterparts - construction was completed back in 1931 - and once held the title of the tallest building in the world. Now the Empire State Building has lost its palm - with a height of 443 meters, it occupies only the 22nd line in the ranking of the tallest buildings in the world, but this does not bother tourists. Over the entire history of its existence, the skyscraper has been visited by 110 million people.

In addition to the traditional observation deck at a height of 373 meters, which offers stunning views of Manhattan, the Empire State Building has a circular observation deck with a 360-degree view. It is located 17 floors below, but is even more popular.

When emotions from the height and views of the city calm down, you can visit an exhibition dedicated to the history of the skyscraper, or take a virtual flight over Manhattan on the Skyride attraction for an additional fee.

Where to buy tickets

Tickets for viewing platforms can be purchased at the Empire State Building on floors 103 and 86 or on the official website. A ticket to visit both sites costs $52, a VIP ticket with which you can skip the line costs $80. The circular observation deck can be visited for 32 dollars, skipping the line - for 60 dollars.

How to get there

By metro, station - St / Herald Sq.

Shard. London, Great Britain

The championship in the construction of skyscrapers belongs to the United States and China, but the Old World also has something to be proud of. The Shard is the fourth tallest building in Europe.

“This is the most impressive way to get to know London,” says one of the tourists in his review. Indeed, from a height of 243 meters the whole city is in full view. Visitors will have a view of the Wimbley Stadium, the Tower of London, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and other items of British pride. And special telescopes will be transferred to a time when the banks of the Thames were still inhabited by the Romans.

Photos from the observation deck can be immediately posted in social media- There is Wi-Fi on the observation deck. And to make your visit even more enjoyable, guests will be offered a glass of champagne and souvenirs with the image of Shard as a keepsake.

Where to buy tickets

Tickets are sold on the ground floor of the skyscraper at the entrance to the elevator. The cost is 41 dollars. When buying a ticket, the price will be lower - $ 33.

How to get there

By metro - station - London Bridge, or by buses No. 43, 48, 141, 149, 152.

Federation Tower. Moscow, Russia

Closer to the sky you can become not only distant lands. The Federation Tower is the tallest skyscraper in Europe, located in Russia. Its height reaches 374 meters.

Initially, the building was conceived as an office center, but now it is successfully held here. recreational activities. You can visit the observation deck with a guide or on your own. There are comfortable sofas on the site, guests are offered coffee and champagne. And for an additional fee, you can take a picture against the backdrop of the Tower or buy souvenirs with its image as a keepsake.

Lovers can spend a date at a height of 230 meters and enjoy the view of the evening city to the accompaniment of live music. "This will be the best romantic evening of your life!" organizers promise.

Where to buy tickets

Tickets can be purchased immediately before visiting the site in the Tower or by appointment on the official website. Ticket prices for weekdays- 700 rubles, on weekends - 500 rubles.

Skyscrapers of Shanghai: Shanghai Tower June 4th, 2015

I have already told you about the two skyscrapers in this picture. Here, and here. But now we'll talk about this twisted highest of the three.

The construction of the 121-story Shanghai Tower in China, which began back in 1993, was completed earlier this year, and finishing work is now underway.

Here's how the construction went:

Photo 2.

The Shanghai Tower is an ultra-tall building, currently the tallest in the Chinese city of Shanghai, in the Pudong area. After the tower is completed, this building should become the tallest building in China, surpassing in height even such buildings as the Jin Mao Tower and the Shanghai World Financial Center. According to the project, the height of the building will be about 650 meters, and the total area - 380 thousand m?. The construction of the tower should be completed in 2014. When completed, the tower building will be the third tallest building in the world, behind only the Burj Khalifa in the UAE, whose height is 828 meters, and the Tree of Heaven in Tokyo, which is 634 meters high. In August 2013, the tower building was completed to roof level.

Photo 3.

Photo 4.

Photo 5.

Photo 6.

However, even after commissioning next year, the Shanghai Tower will not long take the lead in the race of Chinese skyscrapers: in 2016, it is planned to complete the construction of the 660-meter Pingan International Financial Center in Shenzhen. In addition, the construction of the Sky City Tower in Changsha, 838 meters high, has recently begun, but a few days later, due to lack of necessary permits, it was frozen.

Photo 7.

In recent years, skyscraper construction on an unprecedented scale has unfolded throughout China. The Chicago-based Council on Tall Buildings and the Urban Environment predicts that by 2020, China will have six of the ten tallest buildings in the world.

Photo 8.

Photo 9.

When completed in 2014, the spiral megastructure, along with the neighboring Jin Mao Tower and the Shanghai World Financial Center Tower, will complete the grand ensemble of three skyscrapers.

Photo 10.

Photo 11.

Just like in many other towers, the atrium of the Shanghai Tower traditionally houses restaurants, cafes and shops surrounded by lush landscaping in tandem with a large number of entrances to the tower and subway stations under the building. The interior of the Shanghai Tower and the transparent exterior skins create a visual connection between the interior of the tower and the urban fabric of Shanghai.

Photo 12.

Photo 13.

The transparent inner and outer shells of the building bring the maximum amount of natural light into the premises, thereby saving on electrical energy.

Photo 14.

Architects: Gensler
Owner, Developer . Contractor: Shanghai Tower Building & Development Co., Ltd.
Local Design Institute: Architectural Design and Research Institute of Tongji University

Photo 15.

Civil Engineer: Thornton Tomasetti
Mep Engineer: Cosentini Associates
Landscape architect: SWA
Plot area: 30,370 square meters. Building area: 380,000 square meters above ground level; 141,000 square meters below ground level
Floors of the building: 121 floors
Height: 632 meters
Area: 0.0 sq.m.
Release year: 2014
Photos: Courtesy Gensler

Photo 16.

Photo 17.

Photo 18.

Photo 19.

Photo 20.

Photo 21.

Photo 22.

Photo 23.

Photo 24.

Photo 25.

Photo 26.

Photo 27.

Photo 28.

Photo 29.

Photo 30.

Photo 32.