The 25 tallest buildings in the world – in pictures

All taller than anything in the UK, 25) Willis Tower, Chicago, 24) Wuhan Tower, Wuhan, 23) The Exchange 106, Kuala Lumpur, 21) Zifeng Tower, Nanjing, 21) Suzhou IFS, Suzhou, 19 and 20) Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur, 18) Changsha IFS Tower 1, Changsha, 17) Vincom Landmark 81, Ho Chi Minh City, 16) Lakhta Center, St. Petersburg, 15) Central Park Tower, New York City, 14) Wuhan Greenland Center, Wuhan, 13) International Commerce Centre, Hong Kong, 12) Shanghai World Financial Center, Shanghai, 11) TAIPEI 101, Taipei, 10) CITIC Tower, Beijing, 8) Tianjin CTF Finance Centre, Tianjin, 8) Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre, Guangzhou, 7) One World Trade Center, New York City, 6) Lotte World Tower, Seoul, 5) Ping An Finance Center, Shenzhen, 4) Makkah Royal Clock Tower, Mecca, 3) Shanghai Tower, Shanghai, 2) Merdeka 118, Kuala Lumpur, 1) Burj Khalifa, Dubai

Fascinating data shows some of the huge heights civilisation has reached without leaving the ground. Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) has data on the tallest buildings on Planet Earth. What’s striking is how recent many of these buildings are, most under 20 years old. (Photo, Left: Gary Hershorn/Getty Right: Walaa Alshaer/Bloomberg via Getty)

All taller than anything in the UK

All taller than anything in the UK, 25) Willis Tower, Chicago, 24) Wuhan Tower, Wuhan, 23) The Exchange 106, Kuala Lumpur, 21) Zifeng Tower, Nanjing, 21) Suzhou IFS, Suzhou, 19 and 20) Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur, 18) Changsha IFS Tower 1, Changsha, 17) Vincom Landmark 81, Ho Chi Minh City, 16) Lakhta Center, St. Petersburg, 15) Central Park Tower, New York City, 14) Wuhan Greenland Center, Wuhan, 13) International Commerce Centre, Hong Kong, 12) Shanghai World Financial Center, Shanghai, 11) TAIPEI 101, Taipei, 10) CITIC Tower, Beijing, 8) Tianjin CTF Finance Centre, Tianjin, 8) Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre, Guangzhou, 7) One World Trade Center, New York City, 6) Lotte World Tower, Seoul, 5) Ping An Finance Center, Shenzhen, 4) Makkah Royal Clock Tower, Mecca, 3) Shanghai Tower, Shanghai, 2) Merdeka 118, Kuala Lumpur, 1) Burj Khalifa, Dubai

Also of interest is how big they are compared to anything in the UK. The UK’s tallest building is The Shard in London at “only” 1,004 feet, the country’s only one over 1,000 feet. A few of these reach over 2,000 feet. So here are the top – in every sense – 25 buildings across the world, that reach into the skies like few others. (Photo: Manuel Romano/NurPhoto via Getty)

25) Willis Tower, Chicago

All taller than anything in the UK, 25) Willis Tower, Chicago, 24) Wuhan Tower, Wuhan, 23) The Exchange 106, Kuala Lumpur, 21) Zifeng Tower, Nanjing, 21) Suzhou IFS, Suzhou, 19 and 20) Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur, 18) Changsha IFS Tower 1, Changsha, 17) Vincom Landmark 81, Ho Chi Minh City, 16) Lakhta Center, St. Petersburg, 15) Central Park Tower, New York City, 14) Wuhan Greenland Center, Wuhan, 13) International Commerce Centre, Hong Kong, 12) Shanghai World Financial Center, Shanghai, 11) TAIPEI 101, Taipei, 10) CITIC Tower, Beijing, 8) Tianjin CTF Finance Centre, Tianjin, 8) Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre, Guangzhou, 7) One World Trade Center, New York City, 6) Lotte World Tower, Seoul, 5) Ping An Finance Center, Shenzhen, 4) Makkah Royal Clock Tower, Mecca, 3) Shanghai Tower, Shanghai, 2) Merdeka 118, Kuala Lumpur, 1) Burj Khalifa, Dubai

Previously known as the Sears Tower, this towers 1,451 feet above Chicago, IL, used as an office and for broadcasting. CTBUH also recognises this as the oldest building on this list, opening in 1974. (Photo: Raymond Boyd/Getty)

24) Wuhan Tower, Wuhan

All taller than anything in the UK, 25) Willis Tower, Chicago, 24) Wuhan Tower, Wuhan, 23) The Exchange 106, Kuala Lumpur, 21) Zifeng Tower, Nanjing, 21) Suzhou IFS, Suzhou, 19 and 20) Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur, 18) Changsha IFS Tower 1, Changsha, 17) Vincom Landmark 81, Ho Chi Minh City, 16) Lakhta Center, St. Petersburg, 15) Central Park Tower, New York City, 14) Wuhan Greenland Center, Wuhan, 13) International Commerce Centre, Hong Kong, 12) Shanghai World Financial Center, Shanghai, 11) TAIPEI 101, Taipei, 10) CITIC Tower, Beijing, 8) Tianjin CTF Finance Centre, Tianjin, 8) Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre, Guangzhou, 7) One World Trade Center, New York City, 6) Lotte World Tower, Seoul, 5) Ping An Finance Center, Shenzhen, 4) Makkah Royal Clock Tower, Mecca, 3) Shanghai Tower, Shanghai, 2) Merdeka 118, Kuala Lumpur, 1) Burj Khalifa, Dubai

Opening in 2019, this 1,454-foot building in Wuhan is both an office and housing, and what’s more – it’s not even the tallest building in Wuhan, and only the thirteenth tallest in China. Look at the Wuhan skyline (pictured) – the building that towers above the city comes later in the list. (Photo: real444/Getty)

23) The Exchange 106, Kuala Lumpur

All taller than anything in the UK, 25) Willis Tower, Chicago, 24) Wuhan Tower, Wuhan, 23) The Exchange 106, Kuala Lumpur, 21) Zifeng Tower, Nanjing, 21) Suzhou IFS, Suzhou, 19 and 20) Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur, 18) Changsha IFS Tower 1, Changsha, 17) Vincom Landmark 81, Ho Chi Minh City, 16) Lakhta Center, St. Petersburg, 15) Central Park Tower, New York City, 14) Wuhan Greenland Center, Wuhan, 13) International Commerce Centre, Hong Kong, 12) Shanghai World Financial Center, Shanghai, 11) TAIPEI 101, Taipei, 10) CITIC Tower, Beijing, 8) Tianjin CTF Finance Centre, Tianjin, 8) Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre, Guangzhou, 7) One World Trade Center, New York City, 6) Lotte World Tower, Seoul, 5) Ping An Finance Center, Shenzhen, 4) Makkah Royal Clock Tower, Mecca, 3) Shanghai Tower, Shanghai, 2) Merdeka 118, Kuala Lumpur, 1) Burj Khalifa, Dubai

Pictured on the left in 2024, this 1,462-foot building, another name once TRX Signature Tower, was completed in 2019 and takes its name from its claimed 106 floors. It promises workspaces, a prismatic capsule towards its top and “a new standard of luxury” (Photo: Ian Teh/Bloomberg via Getty)

21) Zifeng Tower, Nanjing

All taller than anything in the UK, 25) Willis Tower, Chicago, 24) Wuhan Tower, Wuhan, 23) The Exchange 106, Kuala Lumpur, 21) Zifeng Tower, Nanjing, 21) Suzhou IFS, Suzhou, 19 and 20) Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur, 18) Changsha IFS Tower 1, Changsha, 17) Vincom Landmark 81, Ho Chi Minh City, 16) Lakhta Center, St. Petersburg, 15) Central Park Tower, New York City, 14) Wuhan Greenland Center, Wuhan, 13) International Commerce Centre, Hong Kong, 12) Shanghai World Financial Center, Shanghai, 11) TAIPEI 101, Taipei, 10) CITIC Tower, Beijing, 8) Tianjin CTF Finance Centre, Tianjin, 8) Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre, Guangzhou, 7) One World Trade Center, New York City, 6) Lotte World Tower, Seoul, 5) Ping An Finance Center, Shenzhen, 4) Makkah Royal Clock Tower, Mecca, 3) Shanghai Tower, Shanghai, 2) Merdeka 118, Kuala Lumpur, 1) Burj Khalifa, Dubai

It’s our first joint-place entry on the list, with CTBUH claiming this and its follow up are both 1,476 feet tall. Completed in 2010 and also known as the Nanjing Greenland Financial Centre or the InterContinental Hotel Nanjing, it is Nanjing’s tallest building. The Arrival Guides website describes its observation platform with panoramic views, and recommends dusk as the best time to visit. It doesn’t even make the top 10 tallest buildings in China, though! (Photo: Costfoto/Future Publishing via Getty)

21) Suzhou IFS, Suzhou

All taller than anything in the UK, 25) Willis Tower, Chicago, 24) Wuhan Tower, Wuhan, 23) The Exchange 106, Kuala Lumpur, 21) Zifeng Tower, Nanjing, 21) Suzhou IFS, Suzhou, 19 and 20) Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur, 18) Changsha IFS Tower 1, Changsha, 17) Vincom Landmark 81, Ho Chi Minh City, 16) Lakhta Center, St. Petersburg, 15) Central Park Tower, New York City, 14) Wuhan Greenland Center, Wuhan, 13) International Commerce Centre, Hong Kong, 12) Shanghai World Financial Center, Shanghai, 11) TAIPEI 101, Taipei, 10) CITIC Tower, Beijing, 8) Tianjin CTF Finance Centre, Tianjin, 8) Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre, Guangzhou, 7) One World Trade Center, New York City, 6) Lotte World Tower, Seoul, 5) Ping An Finance Center, Shenzhen, 4) Makkah Royal Clock Tower, Mecca, 3) Shanghai Tower, Shanghai, 2) Merdeka 118, Kuala Lumpur, 1) Burj Khalifa, Dubai

Also 1,476-foot tall, this 2019 opening is used as a hotel, office and apartments. The IFS (short for International Finance Square) is based in the southern part of the Jiangsu province and the KPF designer website describes it as a “modern, technological, and symbolic embodiment” of the city’s culture, history and identity. (Photo: Fabio Nodari/Getty)

19 and 20) Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur

All taller than anything in the UK, 25) Willis Tower, Chicago, 24) Wuhan Tower, Wuhan, 23) The Exchange 106, Kuala Lumpur, 21) Zifeng Tower, Nanjing, 21) Suzhou IFS, Suzhou, 19 and 20) Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur, 18) Changsha IFS Tower 1, Changsha, 17) Vincom Landmark 81, Ho Chi Minh City, 16) Lakhta Center, St. Petersburg, 15) Central Park Tower, New York City, 14) Wuhan Greenland Center, Wuhan, 13) International Commerce Centre, Hong Kong, 12) Shanghai World Financial Center, Shanghai, 11) TAIPEI 101, Taipei, 10) CITIC Tower, Beijing, 8) Tianjin CTF Finance Centre, Tianjin, 8) Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre, Guangzhou, 7) One World Trade Center, New York City, 6) Lotte World Tower, Seoul, 5) Ping An Finance Center, Shenzhen, 4) Makkah Royal Clock Tower, Mecca, 3) Shanghai Tower, Shanghai, 2) Merdeka 118, Kuala Lumpur, 1) Burj Khalifa, Dubai

Pictured here alongside last month’s blood moon, this pair of skyscrapers, taking up two spots due to being two buildings, reach 1,483 feet into the sky. They were built to accommodate the headquarters of petroleum company Petronas, also offering views around the city. The world’s tallest twin buildings, they were also the tallest buildings in the world at the time of the new millennium, having opened in 1998. (Photo: Zhou Zhiyong/VCG via Getty)

18) Changsha IFS Tower 1, Changsha

All taller than anything in the UK, 25) Willis Tower, Chicago, 24) Wuhan Tower, Wuhan, 23) The Exchange 106, Kuala Lumpur, 21) Zifeng Tower, Nanjing, 21) Suzhou IFS, Suzhou, 19 and 20) Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur, 18) Changsha IFS Tower 1, Changsha, 17) Vincom Landmark 81, Ho Chi Minh City, 16) Lakhta Center, St. Petersburg, 15) Central Park Tower, New York City, 14) Wuhan Greenland Center, Wuhan, 13) International Commerce Centre, Hong Kong, 12) Shanghai World Financial Center, Shanghai, 11) TAIPEI 101, Taipei, 10) CITIC Tower, Beijing, 8) Tianjin CTF Finance Centre, Tianjin, 8) Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre, Guangzhou, 7) One World Trade Center, New York City, 6) Lotte World Tower, Seoul, 5) Ping An Finance Center, Shenzhen, 4) Makkah Royal Clock Tower, Mecca, 3) Shanghai Tower, Shanghai, 2) Merdeka 118, Kuala Lumpur, 1) Burj Khalifa, Dubai

This picture shows the buildings towering above fog, not the clouds themselves, but that’s not to say they don’t reach a huge height. Like the Petronas Twin Towers, it’s 1,483-foot tall, but reaches a higher place in this list due to the occupied area of 1,414-foot being higher. Based in the central Chinese province of Hunan, it’s two towers itself, but the second tower is quite a bit shorter at just over 1,000-foot. It was completed in 2018 and is another International Finance Square office building as well as a hotel. (Photo: Duan Zhiwei/VCG via Getty)

17) Vincom Landmark 81, Ho Chi Minh City

All taller than anything in the UK, 25) Willis Tower, Chicago, 24) Wuhan Tower, Wuhan, 23) The Exchange 106, Kuala Lumpur, 21) Zifeng Tower, Nanjing, 21) Suzhou IFS, Suzhou, 19 and 20) Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur, 18) Changsha IFS Tower 1, Changsha, 17) Vincom Landmark 81, Ho Chi Minh City, 16) Lakhta Center, St. Petersburg, 15) Central Park Tower, New York City, 14) Wuhan Greenland Center, Wuhan, 13) International Commerce Centre, Hong Kong, 12) Shanghai World Financial Center, Shanghai, 11) TAIPEI 101, Taipei, 10) CITIC Tower, Beijing, 8) Tianjin CTF Finance Centre, Tianjin, 8) Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre, Guangzhou, 7) One World Trade Center, New York City, 6) Lotte World Tower, Seoul, 5) Ping An Finance Center, Shenzhen, 4) Makkah Royal Clock Tower, Mecca, 3) Shanghai Tower, Shanghai, 2) Merdeka 118, Kuala Lumpur, 1) Burj Khalifa, Dubai

Vietnam’s tallest building at 1,540 feet tall, the Vincom Landmark 81, is named after its 81 floors above ground. It was completed in 2018, home to residential properties, shops, a hotel and an observation desk. (Photo: Bob Henry/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty)

16) Lakhta Center, St. Petersburg

All taller than anything in the UK, 25) Willis Tower, Chicago, 24) Wuhan Tower, Wuhan, 23) The Exchange 106, Kuala Lumpur, 21) Zifeng Tower, Nanjing, 21) Suzhou IFS, Suzhou, 19 and 20) Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur, 18) Changsha IFS Tower 1, Changsha, 17) Vincom Landmark 81, Ho Chi Minh City, 16) Lakhta Center, St. Petersburg, 15) Central Park Tower, New York City, 14) Wuhan Greenland Center, Wuhan, 13) International Commerce Centre, Hong Kong, 12) Shanghai World Financial Center, Shanghai, 11) TAIPEI 101, Taipei, 10) CITIC Tower, Beijing, 8) Tianjin CTF Finance Centre, Tianjin, 8) Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre, Guangzhou, 7) One World Trade Center, New York City, 6) Lotte World Tower, Seoul, 5) Ping An Finance Center, Shenzhen, 4) Makkah Royal Clock Tower, Mecca, 3) Shanghai Tower, Shanghai, 2) Merdeka 118, Kuala Lumpur, 1) Burj Khalifa, Dubai

The tallest building in Russia, and indeed Europe, is the Laktha Center. It offers an observation deck, atrium and amphitheater. It was completed in 2019 and is 1,516-foot tall, across 87 floors. (Photo: Artem Priakhin via Getty)

15) Central Park Tower, New York City

All taller than anything in the UK, 25) Willis Tower, Chicago, 24) Wuhan Tower, Wuhan, 23) The Exchange 106, Kuala Lumpur, 21) Zifeng Tower, Nanjing, 21) Suzhou IFS, Suzhou, 19 and 20) Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur, 18) Changsha IFS Tower 1, Changsha, 17) Vincom Landmark 81, Ho Chi Minh City, 16) Lakhta Center, St. Petersburg, 15) Central Park Tower, New York City, 14) Wuhan Greenland Center, Wuhan, 13) International Commerce Centre, Hong Kong, 12) Shanghai World Financial Center, Shanghai, 11) TAIPEI 101, Taipei, 10) CITIC Tower, Beijing, 8) Tianjin CTF Finance Centre, Tianjin, 8) Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre, Guangzhou, 7) One World Trade Center, New York City, 6) Lotte World Tower, Seoul, 5) Ping An Finance Center, Shenzhen, 4) Makkah Royal Clock Tower, Mecca, 3) Shanghai Tower, Shanghai, 2) Merdeka 118, Kuala Lumpur, 1) Burj Khalifa, Dubai

America’s, also New York’s, second tallest building at 1,550-foot is Central Park Tower. Construction started in 2014 (that’s 10 years too late to have been shown in the skyline for ‘Friends’), and it was completed in 2020. The view pictured is from the Top of the Rock NYC Observation Deck at the Rockefeller Center building. (Photo: Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto via Getty)

14) Wuhan Greenland Center, Wuhan

All taller than anything in the UK, 25) Willis Tower, Chicago, 24) Wuhan Tower, Wuhan, 23) The Exchange 106, Kuala Lumpur, 21) Zifeng Tower, Nanjing, 21) Suzhou IFS, Suzhou, 19 and 20) Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur, 18) Changsha IFS Tower 1, Changsha, 17) Vincom Landmark 81, Ho Chi Minh City, 16) Lakhta Center, St. Petersburg, 15) Central Park Tower, New York City, 14) Wuhan Greenland Center, Wuhan, 13) International Commerce Centre, Hong Kong, 12) Shanghai World Financial Center, Shanghai, 11) TAIPEI 101, Taipei, 10) CITIC Tower, Beijing, 8) Tianjin CTF Finance Centre, Tianjin, 8) Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre, Guangzhou, 7) One World Trade Center, New York City, 6) Lotte World Tower, Seoul, 5) Ping An Finance Center, Shenzhen, 4) Makkah Royal Clock Tower, Mecca, 3) Shanghai Tower, Shanghai, 2) Merdeka 118, Kuala Lumpur, 1) Burj Khalifa, Dubai

Wuhan’s tallest building, yet only China’s ninth tallest, was completed in 2023. At 1,560 feet and 101 floors, the Wuhan Greenland Centre is used for residential/hotel purposes, as well as an office. (Photo: Getty)

13) International Commerce Centre, Hong Kong

All taller than anything in the UK, 25) Willis Tower, Chicago, 24) Wuhan Tower, Wuhan, 23) The Exchange 106, Kuala Lumpur, 21) Zifeng Tower, Nanjing, 21) Suzhou IFS, Suzhou, 19 and 20) Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur, 18) Changsha IFS Tower 1, Changsha, 17) Vincom Landmark 81, Ho Chi Minh City, 16) Lakhta Center, St. Petersburg, 15) Central Park Tower, New York City, 14) Wuhan Greenland Center, Wuhan, 13) International Commerce Centre, Hong Kong, 12) Shanghai World Financial Center, Shanghai, 11) TAIPEI 101, Taipei, 10) CITIC Tower, Beijing, 8) Tianjin CTF Finance Centre, Tianjin, 8) Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre, Guangzhou, 7) One World Trade Center, New York City, 6) Lotte World Tower, Seoul, 5) Ping An Finance Center, Shenzhen, 4) Makkah Royal Clock Tower, Mecca, 3) Shanghai Tower, Shanghai, 2) Merdeka 118, Kuala Lumpur, 1) Burj Khalifa, Dubai

Hong Kong’s tallest building, the 1,588-foot International Commerce Centre was completed in 2010 and sits in Victoria Harbour. Designers KPF mention its offices, 360 degree observation deck and The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong, one of the highest hotels globally. (Photo by: Bob Henry/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

12) Shanghai World Financial Center, Shanghai

All taller than anything in the UK, 25) Willis Tower, Chicago, 24) Wuhan Tower, Wuhan, 23) The Exchange 106, Kuala Lumpur, 21) Zifeng Tower, Nanjing, 21) Suzhou IFS, Suzhou, 19 and 20) Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur, 18) Changsha IFS Tower 1, Changsha, 17) Vincom Landmark 81, Ho Chi Minh City, 16) Lakhta Center, St. Petersburg, 15) Central Park Tower, New York City, 14) Wuhan Greenland Center, Wuhan, 13) International Commerce Centre, Hong Kong, 12) Shanghai World Financial Center, Shanghai, 11) TAIPEI 101, Taipei, 10) CITIC Tower, Beijing, 8) Tianjin CTF Finance Centre, Tianjin, 8) Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre, Guangzhou, 7) One World Trade Center, New York City, 6) Lotte World Tower, Seoul, 5) Ping An Finance Center, Shenzhen, 4) Makkah Royal Clock Tower, Mecca, 3) Shanghai Tower, Shanghai, 2) Merdeka 118, Kuala Lumpur, 1) Burj Khalifa, Dubai

The almost potato peeler-shaped Shanghai World Financial Centre is 1,614-foot and opened in 2008, sitting in the heart of Pudong’s Lujiazui Financial District. It would tower above most cities, but as shown in this picture, in Shanghai, it’s only been the second highest building in the city since 2016. (Photo: Qilai Shen/Bloomberg via Getty)

11) TAIPEI 101, Taipei

All taller than anything in the UK, 25) Willis Tower, Chicago, 24) Wuhan Tower, Wuhan, 23) The Exchange 106, Kuala Lumpur, 21) Zifeng Tower, Nanjing, 21) Suzhou IFS, Suzhou, 19 and 20) Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur, 18) Changsha IFS Tower 1, Changsha, 17) Vincom Landmark 81, Ho Chi Minh City, 16) Lakhta Center, St. Petersburg, 15) Central Park Tower, New York City, 14) Wuhan Greenland Center, Wuhan, 13) International Commerce Centre, Hong Kong, 12) Shanghai World Financial Center, Shanghai, 11) TAIPEI 101, Taipei, 10) CITIC Tower, Beijing, 8) Tianjin CTF Finance Centre, Tianjin, 8) Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre, Guangzhou, 7) One World Trade Center, New York City, 6) Lotte World Tower, Seoul, 5) Ping An Finance Center, Shenzhen, 4) Makkah Royal Clock Tower, Mecca, 3) Shanghai Tower, Shanghai, 2) Merdeka 118, Kuala Lumpur, 1) Burj Khalifa, Dubai

Another building which features its number of floors in its name, office building extraordinaire Taipei 101 is 1,667 feet tall and is Taiwan’s tallest building. It opened in 2004, making it one of the older entries on this list. (Photo: Alberto Buzzola/LightRocket via Getty)

10) CITIC Tower, Beijing

All taller than anything in the UK, 25) Willis Tower, Chicago, 24) Wuhan Tower, Wuhan, 23) The Exchange 106, Kuala Lumpur, 21) Zifeng Tower, Nanjing, 21) Suzhou IFS, Suzhou, 19 and 20) Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur, 18) Changsha IFS Tower 1, Changsha, 17) Vincom Landmark 81, Ho Chi Minh City, 16) Lakhta Center, St. Petersburg, 15) Central Park Tower, New York City, 14) Wuhan Greenland Center, Wuhan, 13) International Commerce Centre, Hong Kong, 12) Shanghai World Financial Center, Shanghai, 11) TAIPEI 101, Taipei, 10) CITIC Tower, Beijing, 8) Tianjin CTF Finance Centre, Tianjin, 8) Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre, Guangzhou, 7) One World Trade Center, New York City, 6) Lotte World Tower, Seoul, 5) Ping An Finance Center, Shenzhen, 4) Makkah Royal Clock Tower, Mecca, 3) Shanghai Tower, Shanghai, 2) Merdeka 118, Kuala Lumpur, 1) Burj Khalifa, Dubai

Completed in 2018, the 1,731-foot CITIC Tower is primarily used as an office. It is pictured here from afar, in Beijing’s Tuanjiehu Park. You know the sure sign we’re reaching huge heights? We’re into the top five tallest buildings in China with this one. (Photo: Adek Berry/AFP via Getty)

8) Tianjin CTF Finance Centre, Tianjin

All taller than anything in the UK, 25) Willis Tower, Chicago, 24) Wuhan Tower, Wuhan, 23) The Exchange 106, Kuala Lumpur, 21) Zifeng Tower, Nanjing, 21) Suzhou IFS, Suzhou, 19 and 20) Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur, 18) Changsha IFS Tower 1, Changsha, 17) Vincom Landmark 81, Ho Chi Minh City, 16) Lakhta Center, St. Petersburg, 15) Central Park Tower, New York City, 14) Wuhan Greenland Center, Wuhan, 13) International Commerce Centre, Hong Kong, 12) Shanghai World Financial Center, Shanghai, 11) TAIPEI 101, Taipei, 10) CITIC Tower, Beijing, 8) Tianjin CTF Finance Centre, Tianjin, 8) Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre, Guangzhou, 7) One World Trade Center, New York City, 6) Lotte World Tower, Seoul, 5) Ping An Finance Center, Shenzhen, 4) Makkah Royal Clock Tower, Mecca, 3) Shanghai Tower, Shanghai, 2) Merdeka 118, Kuala Lumpur, 1) Burj Khalifa, Dubai

Turns out even at huge heights, there is room for ties. Tied in eighth place, we have two buildings, both CTF Financial Centres, in different areas of China, at 1,739 architectural feet. Tianjin CTF Finance Centre opened in 2019, used for residential and offices. It is shown here lit up for New Years’, on 31 December 2018. (Photo: Visual China Group via Getty)

8) Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre, Guangzhou

All taller than anything in the UK, 25) Willis Tower, Chicago, 24) Wuhan Tower, Wuhan, 23) The Exchange 106, Kuala Lumpur, 21) Zifeng Tower, Nanjing, 21) Suzhou IFS, Suzhou, 19 and 20) Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur, 18) Changsha IFS Tower 1, Changsha, 17) Vincom Landmark 81, Ho Chi Minh City, 16) Lakhta Center, St. Petersburg, 15) Central Park Tower, New York City, 14) Wuhan Greenland Center, Wuhan, 13) International Commerce Centre, Hong Kong, 12) Shanghai World Financial Center, Shanghai, 11) TAIPEI 101, Taipei, 10) CITIC Tower, Beijing, 8) Tianjin CTF Finance Centre, Tianjin, 8) Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre, Guangzhou, 7) One World Trade Center, New York City, 6) Lotte World Tower, Seoul, 5) Ping An Finance Center, Shenzhen, 4) Makkah Royal Clock Tower, Mecca, 3) Shanghai Tower, Shanghai, 2) Merdeka 118, Kuala Lumpur, 1) Burj Khalifa, Dubai

Like the Tianjin Centre it draws with, this 2016 opening is also 1,739 feet of architectural space. But where Tianjin edges it on height to the tip at 1,740 feet, Guangzhou CTF’s occupied space reaches higher, 1,626 feet, compared to Tianjin CTF reaching 1,441 feet of occupied space. (Photo: Stringer/Anadolu Agency via Getty)

7) One World Trade Center, New York City

All taller than anything in the UK, 25) Willis Tower, Chicago, 24) Wuhan Tower, Wuhan, 23) The Exchange 106, Kuala Lumpur, 21) Zifeng Tower, Nanjing, 21) Suzhou IFS, Suzhou, 19 and 20) Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur, 18) Changsha IFS Tower 1, Changsha, 17) Vincom Landmark 81, Ho Chi Minh City, 16) Lakhta Center, St. Petersburg, 15) Central Park Tower, New York City, 14) Wuhan Greenland Center, Wuhan, 13) International Commerce Centre, Hong Kong, 12) Shanghai World Financial Center, Shanghai, 11) TAIPEI 101, Taipei, 10) CITIC Tower, Beijing, 8) Tianjin CTF Finance Centre, Tianjin, 8) Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre, Guangzhou, 7) One World Trade Center, New York City, 6) Lotte World Tower, Seoul, 5) Ping An Finance Center, Shenzhen, 4) Makkah Royal Clock Tower, Mecca, 3) Shanghai Tower, Shanghai, 2) Merdeka 118, Kuala Lumpur, 1) Burj Khalifa, Dubai

It’s impossible to think of tall buildings in New York City without thinking of one of the darkest days in American history, the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers. But the One World Trade Center, built in memory and completed in 2014, is the tallest building in the United States and the Western Hemisphere. At 1,776 feet, the office has a unique place in the New York Skyline, built to symbolise triumph over tragedy. (Photo: Gary Hershorn/Getty)

6) Lotte World Tower, Seoul

All taller than anything in the UK, 25) Willis Tower, Chicago, 24) Wuhan Tower, Wuhan, 23) The Exchange 106, Kuala Lumpur, 21) Zifeng Tower, Nanjing, 21) Suzhou IFS, Suzhou, 19 and 20) Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur, 18) Changsha IFS Tower 1, Changsha, 17) Vincom Landmark 81, Ho Chi Minh City, 16) Lakhta Center, St. Petersburg, 15) Central Park Tower, New York City, 14) Wuhan Greenland Center, Wuhan, 13) International Commerce Centre, Hong Kong, 12) Shanghai World Financial Center, Shanghai, 11) TAIPEI 101, Taipei, 10) CITIC Tower, Beijing, 8) Tianjin CTF Finance Centre, Tianjin, 8) Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre, Guangzhou, 7) One World Trade Center, New York City, 6) Lotte World Tower, Seoul, 5) Ping An Finance Center, Shenzhen, 4) Makkah Royal Clock Tower, Mecca, 3) Shanghai Tower, Shanghai, 2) Merdeka 118, Kuala Lumpur, 1) Burj Khalifa, Dubai

South Korea’s tallest building, the Lotte World Tower was completed in 2017. It is 1,819 feet tall, described by Visit Seoul as “one of Korea’s architectural crown jewels”. It hosts everything from fitness centres to financial centres, shopping malls to sightseeing. (Photo: Kim Jae-Hwan/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty)

5) Ping An Finance Center, Shenzhen

All taller than anything in the UK, 25) Willis Tower, Chicago, 24) Wuhan Tower, Wuhan, 23) The Exchange 106, Kuala Lumpur, 21) Zifeng Tower, Nanjing, 21) Suzhou IFS, Suzhou, 19 and 20) Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur, 18) Changsha IFS Tower 1, Changsha, 17) Vincom Landmark 81, Ho Chi Minh City, 16) Lakhta Center, St. Petersburg, 15) Central Park Tower, New York City, 14) Wuhan Greenland Center, Wuhan, 13) International Commerce Centre, Hong Kong, 12) Shanghai World Financial Center, Shanghai, 11) TAIPEI 101, Taipei, 10) CITIC Tower, Beijing, 8) Tianjin CTF Finance Centre, Tianjin, 8) Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre, Guangzhou, 7) One World Trade Center, New York City, 6) Lotte World Tower, Seoul, 5) Ping An Finance Center, Shenzhen, 4) Makkah Royal Clock Tower, Mecca, 3) Shanghai Tower, Shanghai, 2) Merdeka 118, Kuala Lumpur, 1) Burj Khalifa, Dubai

Listed by CTBUH as the tallest building in the world not used as a hotel, this building in the background is China’s second tallest building at 1,965 feet tall. Designers KPF, for client Ping An Insurance Company, describe it as “the physical and iconic centre of Shenzhen’s growing central business district”. It opened in 2017. (Photo: CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty)

4) Makkah Royal Clock Tower, Mecca

All taller than anything in the UK, 25) Willis Tower, Chicago, 24) Wuhan Tower, Wuhan, 23) The Exchange 106, Kuala Lumpur, 21) Zifeng Tower, Nanjing, 21) Suzhou IFS, Suzhou, 19 and 20) Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur, 18) Changsha IFS Tower 1, Changsha, 17) Vincom Landmark 81, Ho Chi Minh City, 16) Lakhta Center, St. Petersburg, 15) Central Park Tower, New York City, 14) Wuhan Greenland Center, Wuhan, 13) International Commerce Centre, Hong Kong, 12) Shanghai World Financial Center, Shanghai, 11) TAIPEI 101, Taipei, 10) CITIC Tower, Beijing, 8) Tianjin CTF Finance Centre, Tianjin, 8) Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre, Guangzhou, 7) One World Trade Center, New York City, 6) Lotte World Tower, Seoul, 5) Ping An Finance Center, Shenzhen, 4) Makkah Royal Clock Tower, Mecca, 3) Shanghai Tower, Shanghai, 2) Merdeka 118, Kuala Lumpur, 1) Burj Khalifa, Dubai

Saudi Arabia’s tallest building, CTBUH lists this 1,972-foot building’s other names as Fairmont Makkah Clock Royal Tower, King Abdul Aziz Endowment Tower or the Makkah Royal Clock Tower Hotel. Fairmont’s website describes 1,650 rooms and suites to “provide unmatched comfort and convenience for Umrah and Hajj pilgrims”. (Photo: Christina Assi/AFP via Getty)

3) Shanghai Tower, Shanghai

All taller than anything in the UK, 25) Willis Tower, Chicago, 24) Wuhan Tower, Wuhan, 23) The Exchange 106, Kuala Lumpur, 21) Zifeng Tower, Nanjing, 21) Suzhou IFS, Suzhou, 19 and 20) Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur, 18) Changsha IFS Tower 1, Changsha, 17) Vincom Landmark 81, Ho Chi Minh City, 16) Lakhta Center, St. Petersburg, 15) Central Park Tower, New York City, 14) Wuhan Greenland Center, Wuhan, 13) International Commerce Centre, Hong Kong, 12) Shanghai World Financial Center, Shanghai, 11) TAIPEI 101, Taipei, 10) CITIC Tower, Beijing, 8) Tianjin CTF Finance Centre, Tianjin, 8) Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre, Guangzhou, 7) One World Trade Center, New York City, 6) Lotte World Tower, Seoul, 5) Ping An Finance Center, Shenzhen, 4) Makkah Royal Clock Tower, Mecca, 3) Shanghai Tower, Shanghai, 2) Merdeka 118, Kuala Lumpur, 1) Burj Khalifa, Dubai

Not that we weren’t already reaching serious heights, but according to CTBUH, Shanghai Tower is the first on this list to reach over 2,000 feet – and at 2,073 feet, it is well within the over 2,000 mark. Celebrating its tenth anniversary of completion in 2025 and here lit up to commemorate the 2016 Rio Olympics, Shanghai Tower is also the tallest building in China – against some huge competition. (Photo: Visual China Group via Getty)

2) Merdeka 118, Kuala Lumpur

All taller than anything in the UK, 25) Willis Tower, Chicago, 24) Wuhan Tower, Wuhan, 23) The Exchange 106, Kuala Lumpur, 21) Zifeng Tower, Nanjing, 21) Suzhou IFS, Suzhou, 19 and 20) Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur, 18) Changsha IFS Tower 1, Changsha, 17) Vincom Landmark 81, Ho Chi Minh City, 16) Lakhta Center, St. Petersburg, 15) Central Park Tower, New York City, 14) Wuhan Greenland Center, Wuhan, 13) International Commerce Centre, Hong Kong, 12) Shanghai World Financial Center, Shanghai, 11) TAIPEI 101, Taipei, 10) CITIC Tower, Beijing, 8) Tianjin CTF Finance Centre, Tianjin, 8) Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre, Guangzhou, 7) One World Trade Center, New York City, 6) Lotte World Tower, Seoul, 5) Ping An Finance Center, Shenzhen, 4) Makkah Royal Clock Tower, Mecca, 3) Shanghai Tower, Shanghai, 2) Merdeka 118, Kuala Lumpur, 1) Burj Khalifa, Dubai

Just how new a building this is (it opened in 2023) shows the huge heights to which developers are still building. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and indeed Asia’s tallest building is 2,227 feet. While its website says that work is still ongoing, it received its official opening by the King of Malaysia in January 2024. In 2026, people (without a fear of heights) can look forward to the opening of an observation deck and the 118 Mall shopping center. (Photo: Mohd Rasfan/AFP via Getty)

1) Burj Khalifa, Dubai

All taller than anything in the UK, 25) Willis Tower, Chicago, 24) Wuhan Tower, Wuhan, 23) The Exchange 106, Kuala Lumpur, 21) Zifeng Tower, Nanjing, 21) Suzhou IFS, Suzhou, 19 and 20) Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur, 18) Changsha IFS Tower 1, Changsha, 17) Vincom Landmark 81, Ho Chi Minh City, 16) Lakhta Center, St. Petersburg, 15) Central Park Tower, New York City, 14) Wuhan Greenland Center, Wuhan, 13) International Commerce Centre, Hong Kong, 12) Shanghai World Financial Center, Shanghai, 11) TAIPEI 101, Taipei, 10) CITIC Tower, Beijing, 8) Tianjin CTF Finance Centre, Tianjin, 8) Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre, Guangzhou, 7) One World Trade Center, New York City, 6) Lotte World Tower, Seoul, 5) Ping An Finance Center, Shenzhen, 4) Makkah Royal Clock Tower, Mecca, 3) Shanghai Tower, Shanghai, 2) Merdeka 118, Kuala Lumpur, 1) Burj Khalifa, Dubai

At a whopping 2,717 feet tall, the tallest building on the planet is in the United Arab Emirates, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. At almost 500 feet higher than #2 it’s not a close one, either. It is used as an office, hotel and a residential property. It opened in 2010. Its website promises “a world where luxury meets the sky and dreams take flight.” A bold claim perhaps, but when you’re the tallest building in the world, you’re probably in a position to be pretty bold. (Photo: Fraser Hall/Getty)

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