Seeing the world from a bird’s-eye perspective offers travelers the chance to peer down on magnificent urban and natural landscapes. To aid in this pursuit, spectacular observation decks have been built all across the planet. Typically standing taller than already cloud-scraping skylines, these record-breaking marvels of engineering allow us to gaze in wonder at all the action below. Take a look at the nine tallest observation decks around the world.
9. CN Tower – Toronto, Canada
Towering above Toronto’s skyline since 1976, the 1,815-foot-tall CN Tower was the world’s tallest freestanding structure for over three decades. This busy tourist attraction in downtown Toronto is home to the Western Hemisphere’s highest observation platform, the Top, located 1,456 feet above ground. On sunny, cloudless days, it’s possible to see as far as Niagara Falls and the state of New York. Remarkably, visitors can also feel the sensation of the giant tower swaying in the wind.
Those looking for even more of an adrenaline rush can step outside and (attached by harness) wander around the tower’s perimeter via the EdgeWalk, which sits 116 stories above Canada’s largest city. Another popular attraction is CN Tower’s revolving 360 Restaurant, which completes a full rotation in 72 minutes.
8. Tokyo SkyTree – Tokyo, Japan
Rising 2,080 feet above Tokyo’s Sumida City, Tokyo Skytree is the tallest structure in Japan. When unveiled in 2012, it was the second-tallest freestanding structure in the world. The SkyTree primarily functions as a television and radio broadcasting site, but its two lookout decks are a major draw for tourists to the world’s most populous city.
Perched 1,148 feet above city streets, the lower Tembo Deck spreads over three floors and features glass floors, restaurants, and panoramic views. The 1,476-foot-high upper deck, called Tembo Galleria, has a breathtaking glass ramp that wraps around the building and offers unbeatable views. The tower stays open until 10 p.m., presenting the chance to admire the sprawling Tokyo skyline by night.
7. Shanghai World Financial Center – Shanghai, China
At 1,614 feet, the futuristic-looking Shanghai World Financial Center is one of China’s 10 tallest buildings. Across its 101 floors you’ll find shops, restaurants, a media center, luxury office spaces, and an upscale hotel. The tower also has an observatory with lookout decks on the 94th, 97th, and 100th floors, with the upper lookout located 1,555 feet above ground. Visitors are treated to 360-degree panoramas of the Pudong District and can spot other notable city landmarks, including the Oriental Pearl TV Tower and Shanghai Tower.
6. Canton Tower – Guangzhou, China
On the Pearl River waterfront of Guangzhou’s Haizhu District stands the colossal Canton Tower (also called the Guangzhou New Television Tower). A stunning example of the city’s modern urban development, the design of this 1,968-foot-tall tower is influenced by the silhouette of a female hip. It has observation decks at three different levels, located between 1,404 and 1,601 feet high. The lower deck features a glass walkway with dizzying views of the city far below. More vertigo-inducing vistas await above on the outdoor balcony of the 488M Look Out. Another popular attraction is the Bubble Tram, a rollercoaster-like attraction of 16 glass and spherical cabins that rotate around the tower.
5. Lotte World Tower – Seoul, South Korea
One of the world’s tallest buildings, Lotte World Tower in South Korea’s sprawling capital city is home to the Seoul Sky observatory, which is situated at 1,640 feet above ground. A double-decker elevator takes visitors from the ground floor to the observatory in just a minute’s time. Once there, it’s possible to walk around a 120th-floor outdoor terrace and stroll over the world’s highest tower bridge.
The tower itself stands 1,821 feet tall, and its design was inspired by the curvature of traditional Korean calligraphy and ceramics. Its exterior is made up of an incredible 42,000 glass windows. When not enjoying the views, visitors can check out the shops at the Lotte World Mall, browse contemporary works at the Lotte Museum of Art, and spot 55,000 sea creatures at the Lotte World Aquarium.
4. Ping An Finance Centre – Shenzhen, China
Unveiled in 2022, Ping An Finance Centre sits in the heart of Shenzhen’s burgeoning Futian Central Business District. The 1,965-foot stone and glass tower is predominantly occupied by a hotel, offices, and retail outlets. On the 166th floor, at 1,775 feet above ground, is the Free Sky viewing platform. Visitors can access it via the fastest-accelerating elevators in China, which whisk visitors up from ground level in a mere 55 seconds. Views encompass the nearby Luohu District, as well as Bijia Mountain, Silver Lake Mountain, and northern Hong Kong. There are also glass-floor areas and immersive attractions such as a mirror maze and space tunnel.
3. Shanghai Tower – Shanghai, China
Twisting toward the sky in a state-of-the-art helical shape is the 2,073-foot-tall Shanghai Tower. Located near the Huangpu River and Shanghai World Financial Center, this is the second-tallest building in the world. Its Top of Shanghai observation deck is located on the 118th floor (1,791 feet high), with huge glass windows that make it easy to admire Shanghai’s gleaming skyscrapers, historic architecture, and green spaces.
The observation deck is accessible through some of the fastest elevators on the planet, which travel at around 40 mph. As of 2024, plans are also in place to open a new observation deck on the 125th and 126th floors, which will grant views from lofty heights of 1,914 feet above Shanghai’s busy streets.
2. Burj Khalifa – Dubai, UAE
Dubai’s iconic Burj Khalifa — the world’s tallest building at 2,716 feet — is the best place to take in the city’s ultramodern skyline. There are three observation decks located within the 160 floors of this architectural wonder. The tallest — At the Top, Burj Khalifa SKY — occupies the 148th floor at 1,821 feet above street level.
After peering out over the city, visitors can kick back with drinks at a lounge bar before checking out the other two lookouts on the 124th and 125th floors. Here, high-powered telescopes, virtual presentations, and a glass floor with realistic cracking sounds create an immersive and memorable experience. The journey to these attractions is an adventure in itself via double-decker elevators traveling at 22 mph.
1. Makkah Royal Clock Tower – Mecca, Saudi Arabia
Makkah Royal Clock Tower, the tallest of a collection of seven towers that make up the Abraj al-Bait complex, soars 1,972 feet above the sacred Masjid al-Haram, the world’s largest mosque. It features an observation deck situated at 1,831 feet above ground. When visiting during Hajj, tourists can look down on the millions of worshippers who make this annual pilgrimage to Mecca. The viewing deck is accessible from the Clock Tower Museum, a four-floor museum with science and cosmology exhibits. It’s also home to a high-end hotel whose rooms overlook the sacred Kaaba sanctuary. On the outside, the four sides of the tower are decorated with the world’s largest clock faces.
Featured Stories
