1. Burj Khalifa – Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Burj Khalifa has stood as the tallest building in the world since its completion in 2010, a record it still holds through 2025 and into 2026.
At a staggering 828 metres (2,717 feet) tall with 163 floors, it soars above Dubai’s skyline and dominates views across the desert.
The tower was designed by the renowned architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, the same firm behind iconic skyscrapers worldwide.
Its distinctive stepped form was inspired by traditional Islamic architecture, particularly the shape of desert flowers, blending modern engineering with cultural motifs.
Burj Khalifa hosts a mix of functions including luxury residences, corporate offices, and the celebrated At The Top observation decks that draw millions of visitors annually.
Construction used vast quantities of concrete and steel; more than 330,000 cubic meters of concrete were poured for its foundation.
The elevators are among the fastest in the world, carrying guests and residents high above the city in seconds.
Burj Khalifa’s lighting and fountain shows at its base are major attractions, often synchronised with music and global festivals.
Over the past decade, the building has become a symbol of Dubai’s economic transformation and global ambition.
Despite ongoing megaprojects elsewhere, no single structure completed before 2026 has surpassed its height.
2. Merdeka 118 – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Merdeka 118 claims the second spot in the world rankings with a height of about 679 metres, making it Southeast Asia’s tallest skyscraper.
Completed in 2023, it quickly became a defining landmark on the Kuala Lumpur skyline.
The tower’s design includes motifs derived from traditional Malay songket textiles, embedding cultural references into its modern form.
With 118 floors, the building incorporates mixed uses including offices, retail, and observation spaces.
Its spire adds a significant portion of its total height, emphasising verticality and prestige.
Merdeka 118’s observation deck offers panoramic views over Kuala Lumpur, much like the Petronas Towers once did before its rise.
The structure plays a role in Malaysia’s economic aspirations, attracting corporate investment and tourism.
Its development spurred urban renewal around the historic Merdeka (Independence) Stadium precinct.
The tower’s height positions Malaysia firmly among the world’s leading skyscraper hubs.
Merdeka 118 demonstrates how modern engineering blends with cultural symbolism in global architecture.
3. Shanghai Tower — Shanghai, China
Shanghai Tower is the tallest building in China, rising approximately 632 metres with 128 floors.
Opened in 2015, it stands in Shanghai’s Lujiazui financial district, a hub of contemporary architectural innovation.
Its distinctive twisting shape reduces wind loads and improves structural efficiency, a design solution to Shanghai’s deep windswept location.
Shanghai Tower integrates state-of-the-art sustainability technologies, including advanced rainwater reuse systems that reduce potable water demand.
Its elevators are among the fastest in the world, whisking visitors up hundreds of floors in moments.
A multi-use destination, the tower houses offices, luxury hotels, retail spaces and observation decks.
Its upper observation deck holds official records for one of the highest indoor observation platforms globally.
Shanghai Tower is part of a trio of megatall skyscrapers in Pudong alongside the Jin Mao Tower and Shanghai World Financial Center.
This cluster has redefined Shanghai’s skyline as an international symbol of global commerce and innovation.
The building’s design also focuses on energy efficiency and occupant comfort, incorporating double-skin façades and natural ventilation zones.
4. Abraj Al-Bait Clock Tower — Mecca, Saudi Arabia
The Abraj Al-Bait Clock Tower, also known as the Makkah Royal Clock Tower, stands about 601 metres tall in the heart of Mecca.
Completed in 2012, this colossal skyscraper is part of a larger complex that hosts pilgrims visiting the nearby Masjid al-Haram.
Its massive clock faces—the largest in the world—dominate the skyline and can be seen from many kilometres away.
The clock tower’s design interweaves Islamic architectural elements with contemporary high-rise construction techniques.
Inside, the building serves mixed purposes including hotels, prayer rooms, residential units, and commercial facilities.
Its position near Islam’s holiest site gives it religious and cultural importance beyond mere height records.
During the Hajj pilgrimage, the tower becomes a focal point for visitors from around the globe.
Despite its immense height, the structure also provides essential services and amenities for long-term residents and visitors.
The clock tower’s illumination and timekeeping functions factor into daily life in Mecca.
Abraj Al-Bait remains one of the most distinctive skyscrapers in the world due to its scale, function, and religious proximity.
5. Ping An Finance Center — Shenzhen, China
Ping An Finance Center climbs to roughly 599 metres, making it one of China’s tallest skyscrapers.
Completed in 2017, it anchors the rapidly growing Shenzhen central business district.
The building was designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox, an internationally renowned architectural practice.
It blends office space with luxury retail and one of the world’s highest official observation decks, called Free Sky.
From the observation levels, visitors can see panoramic views extending to Hong Kong and the South China Sea on clear days.
The tower’s composite structure had to meet rigorous requirements for wind resistance, given Shenzhen’s coastal typhoons.
Ping An Finance Center is directly interconnected with mass transit, enhancing its accessibility.
The building helps position Shenzhen nationally and globally as a centre of finance and innovation.
Its sleek design reflects modern Chinese ambition in high-rise construction.
The tower also contributes to Shenzhen’s growing tourism appeal, balancing commerce with public experience.
6. Lotte World Tower — Seoul, South Korea
Lotte World Tower stands around 555 metres tall, ranking it among the world’s tallest skyscrapers.
Completed in 2017, it redefined Seoul’s skyline as a dominant vertical landmark.
The tower integrates multiple urban functions, including retail, offices, residences, and luxury hotels.
Its design emphasises both elegance and structural efficiency, tapering as height increases to reduce wind impacts.
One of its most popular features is an observation deck near the top, offering panoramic views over Seoul and surrounding mountains.
This tower is a cultural destination as well, featuring art installations and public spaces within its lower floors.
Throughout its development, developers emphasised sustainability and mixed usage to ensure year-round vibrancy.
The Lotte World Tower’s presence reflects South Korea’s economic growth and modern architectural ambitions.
Located near the Lotte World amusement complex, the skyscraper enhances Seoul’s urban attraction portfolio.
Its illumination at night transforms the skyline into a vibrant spectacle viewed from across the Han River.
7. One World Trade Center — New York City, United States
One World Trade Center rises to roughly 541 metres including its spire, making it the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere.
Completed in 2014 on the site of the original Twin Towers, it serves as an enduring symbol of resilience and renewal.
Its design prioritises safety with reinforced concrete core structures and state-of-the-art fire and life-safety systems.
The tower houses corporate offices and an observation deck that provides sweeping views over Manhattan, New York Harbor, and beyond.
One World Trade Center’s height was deliberately set to exactly 1,776 feet (541 metres) to commemorate the year of American independence.
Public art installations and memorial spaces within and around the structure honour the legacy of the site.
The building forms the centrepiece of the revitalised World Trade Center complex.
Visiting its observation deck is a powerful experience that blends urban spectacle with historical reflection.
One World Trade Center contributes to New York’s status as both a global financial capital and architectural showcase.
Its resilience-focused design has influenced skyscraper safety standards internationally.
8. Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre — Guangzhou, China
The Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre stands approximately 530 metres high, tying with another Chinese supertall for rank.
Completed in 2016, it anchors one of Guangzhou’s most important business districts.
With 111 floors, it contains offices, luxury apartments, and a world-class hotel.
The tower’s slender profile and sleek glass façade reflect contemporary Chinese architectural style.
Its engineering allows efficient vertical transportation paired with structural rigidity against typhoon winds.
Integrated with retail and transit options, it connects seamlessly with Guangzhou’s urban fabric.
The tower contributes to Guangzhou’s emergence as a global business and cultural hub in southern China.
Its height makes it a destination for business travellers and tourists alike.
Designed with sustainability in mind, it includes green building features to reduce energy use.
The supertall stands as a testament to China’s rapid urban growth in the 21st century.
9. Tianjin CTF Finance Centre — Tianjin, China
Also around 530 metres tall, the Tianjin CTF Finance Centre shares this height with its Guangzhou sibling.
Completed in 2019, it ranks among China’s elite skyscrapers.
It blends commercial offices, luxury residences, and retail floors within its towering frame.
In Tianjin’s rapidly expanding skyline, this tower serves as a major business and lifestyle landmark.
The design emphasises vertical efficiency, packing multiple uses into a high-performance structural envelope.
Connected to transit infrastructure, it supports the city’s efforts to promote sustainable urban mobility.
Its observation decks and high-end amenities attract both commercial tenants and visitors.
The tower’s presence signals Tianjin’s ambition to be a premier global city.
Like its twin city counterparts, it combines local culture with modern engineering innovations.
Tianjin CTF adds to China’s dominance in the roster of world’s tallest buildings.
10. China Zun (CITIC Tower) — Beijing, China
Rounding out the top 10 is China Zun, also known as CITIC Tower, at approximately 528 metres tall.
Completed in 2018, it transformed Beijing’s central business district skyline.
Its name “Zun” refers to an ancient Chinese ritual vessel, a cultural touchstone embedded into the tower’s vertical curve design.
This shape not only evokes tradition but also enhances stability and wind resistance.
The tower accommodates offices, high-end retail, and observation spaces with sweeping city views.
China Zun has become an icon of Beijing’s modern urban identity and global economic role.
Visitors to its observation deck can see historic city landmarks alongside futuristic skyline neighbors.
Its mixed-use program attracts both tourists and local professionals alike.
China Zun exemplifies how contemporary Chinese skyscrapers blend cultural heritage with cutting-edge design.
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