China has announced plans to create the tallest building in the world. They also plan to build it in a record 90 days. The company Broad Sustainable Building, which built a 30-story hotel in 15 days, plans to complete the 838-meters tall Sky City in Changsa, China by early 2013. This would make it 10 meters taller than the tallest building in existence today.
Skyscrapers are impressive anywhere in the world as they soar above the ground and pierce the sky with their great height. Many skyscrapers serve as landmarks for the places they're located in. While China's planned building would reign over the skies as the tallest building in the world and several other new skyscrapers are in the works , here are the current tallest skyscrapers.
1. Burj Khalifa in Dubai
Height: 829.84 m (2717 ft)
This massive building towers over the other tallest skyscrapers by over 1,000 ft.Construction for this massive skyscraper began in 2004 and was completed in 2009, with the official opening in 2010. The building contains 163 floors. The building is used for several things including a hotel, offices, communication, observation, retail, and residential purposes.
2. Taipei 101 in Taipei, Taiwan
Height: 508 m (1667 ft)
This skyscraper was open to the public in 2004, holding the record for the tallest building until Burj Khalifa towered over. Taipei stand for Technology, Art, Innovation, People, Environment, and Identity and the 101 represents the concept of striving for beyond perfection. It also happens to have 101 floors. The building has several uses, but it mainly contains offices.
3. Shanghai World Financial Center in Shangai, China
Height: 492 m (1614 ft)
This would technically be the second tallest building if it weren't for Taipei 101's spire that gives it some extra feet, but the roof of the Shanghai World Financial Center is taller than Taipei's. Construction for this builging began in 1997 and it was completed in 2008. It has several features, including conference rooms, a hotel, a museum, observation, and offices throughout the majority of the building. This building contains 101 floors.
4. International Commerce Center in Hong Kong, China
Height: 484 m (1588 ft)
Construction for this skyscraper began in 2002 and it was finished in 2010. It has 108 floors and is used as a hotel and for offices. The original plan was to make this building 574 meters tall but regulations didn't allow buildings to be taller than the surrounding mountains.
5. Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Height (1483 ft)
This structure should really get the title of the world's tallest pair of buildings as it consists of two twin buildings that are connected to each other at the base and in the middle with a passageway. The spires on top of these buildings are what really give them their height. Construction on these buildings began in 1992 and they were completed in 1998, with 88 floors each. These buildings are used for office space.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
