My 25-year quest to visit every structure on earth that has reigned as the world’s tallest at

some point since 2500 BC is nearly complete. From the Great Pyramid of Giza built in Egypt
around 2600 BC to the current leader Burj Khalifa in Dubai, this goal (among hundreds of
others) has taken me around the world. Once I visit the Church of St. Nicholas in Germany,
that goal will be complete. So, you could say I have a minor obsession with tall buildings.

I’ve chased down skyscrapers all over the planet, entering most of the Top 100 tallest
structures in the world and all of North America’s top 100. Along the way, I’ve certainly
amassed a list of my favorites. To assess which buildings I find most stunning, I’ve rated
them based on the three categories below:

 Height (jaw-dropping height allows for a staggering appearance)

 Beauty (aesthetics are important for these phenomenal buildings)
 Uniqueness (looking different than other skyscrapers is imperative)
Here are my top 10 most stunning skyscrapers in the world (including their world rank as of
2021):

1.) Shanghai Tower

The staggering height of the Shanghai Tower is captured above, the second tallest building
in the world situated to the left, absolutely dwarfing the world’s 11th tallest building on the
right. Now that’s a shocking perspective! Completed in 2015 as the the tallest building in
China at 2,073 feet (632 m), the Shanghai Tower displaced the previously-second-tallest
building by 102 feet (31 m). Admittedly, part of the stunning effect of standing at the base
of the Shanghai Tower is to witness the trio of skyscrapers all adjacent to each other,
including the 2nd, 11th, and 32nd tallest buildings in close proximity only 500 feet (152 m)
apart at the base. Each is unique and beautiful, but the 128-floor champion amongst them is
my personal pick for the most jaw-dropping skyscraper in the world, at least amongst the
buildings I’ve personally visited. It features the world’s highest observation deck, and
although it’s unfortunate that most of the building is unoccupied, I’m basing my list on the
exterior appearance and not functionality nor occupancy.

2.) Burj Khalifa
This incredible feat of modern architecture in the United Arab Emirates is simply the record
setter in every way. Completed in 2010 at 2,717 feet (828 m) and 163 floors, it shattered the
world record at a shocking 62.6% taller than the previous tallest building! Architect Marshall
Strabala, who designed the Shanghai Tower, worked on the Burj Khalifa project until 2006.
It’s stunning height is equivalent to the altitude of a descending airplane still 10 miles from
the airport, or a shocking 42% of the way to the base of the highest rain clouds. It’s just an
amazing marvel.

3.) Shanghai World Financial Center

The photograph above was taken before the construction of the Shanghai Tower, and
illustrates how far the World Financial Center (right) surpassed the adjacent Jin Mao Tower
(left), ending its 10-year reign as the tallest in China by 233 feet (71 m). Standing an
impressive 1,614 feet (492 m) tall with 101 floors, it was the world’s second tallest when
completed in 2008, only 53 feet (16 m) shorter than Taipei 101, the world leader at that
time. I was fortunate to gain access a month before its opening, and additionally see an
amazing perspective from the observation deck at the Jin Mao Tower next door. The World
Financial Center is the second tallest building in the impressive Shanghai skyline, behind the
Shanghai Tower of course, and currently the 11th tallest in the world. As part of the
aforementioned trio, it is easily recognizable among the most famous skyscrapers by the
trapezoidal opening at the top. Between 2015 and 2019, five monstrosities were completed
in China, pushing the WFC from first to sixth place in China, and fifth to eleventh in the
world.