Travel & Experiences

Offbeat Traveler: World’s tallest buildings and towers

Japanese Emperor Akihito, left, and Empress Michiko enjoy the view from an observation area in Tokyo Skytree.

Japanese Emperor Akihito, left, and Empress Michiko enjoy the view from an observation area in Tokyo Skytree.  (Yoshikazu Tsuno / AFP/Getty Images)

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Last Tuesday, Tokyo Skytree made its public debut. The lofty broadcast tower rises 2080-feet, but it still comes in second among the world’s tallest structures. Here’s a look at what tops the list as well as other towering structures.

-- Jason La, Los Angeles Times

Burj Khalifa

The Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the world’s tallest structure and building, is 2,717 feet high and has 163 floors.  (Joel Saget / AFP/Getty Images)

Burj Khalifa

Even among Dubai’s many skyscrapers, the Burj Khalifa stands out.   (Marwan Naamani / AFP/Getty Images)

Burj Khalifa

Visitors take in the view from the Burj Khalifa.  (Aaamir Qureshi / AFP/Getty Images)

Taipei 101

At 1,667-feet-high, Taipei 101 claims the title as the world’s second tallest building. The skyscraper was completed in 2004 and has 101 floors.  (Marc Gerritsen / Getty Images)

Shanghai World Financial Center

Coming in a close third behind Taipei 101 is the Shanghai World Financial Center. The bottle-opener-shaped building, which was completed in 2004, rises 1,614 feet and also has 101 floors.  (Keith B. Richburg / Getty Images)

Shanghai World Financial Center

The view from the top floor of the Shanghai World Financial Center.  (Feng Li / Getty Images)

Petronas Twin Towers

The Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, seen here on New Years Day in 2012, both rise 1,483 feet high and are the fifth tallest buildings in the world, though they held the top spot when they were completed in 1998.  (Mohd Rasfan / AFP/Getty Images)

Canton Tower

Canton Tower, lit for the opening ceremony of the 16th Asian Games in 2010, was briefly the world’s tallest tower before it was overtaken by Tokyo Skytree. The observation tower in Guangzhou, China was completed 2010 and stands 1,969 feet high.  (Mike Clarke / AFP/Getty Images)

CN Tower

CN Tower is hub for telecommunications, but it also features observation areas and a restaurant. It was built in 1976 and stands 1,815 feet high. It held the title of world’s tallest tower for 24 years, but now ranks third.  (Geoff Robins / AFP/Getty Images)

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