Burj Khalifa

Dubai has rapidly added one more jewel to its ever growing list and that is the Burj Khalifa which you can now see from any corner of Dubai. This splendid city’s economy majorly depended on oil supplies but experts say that the oil reserves in the region will run out by 2025. Hence Dubai and UAE are now concentrating on other money making sectors such as real estate and tourism. Construction in Dubai never stops and it takes place 24/7 without a holiday.

Formerly called Burj Dubai, Khalifa is the world’s tallest tower and the inauguration was done in January, 2010. The massive building is located in downtown Dubai and it has become the latest attraction of the must see places to see in the region. However Dubai was almost on the brink of bankruptcy when it suffered a real estate market collapse in December, 2009. However neighboring Abu Dhabi bailed it out and there are some experts who say that after this incident Burj Dubai was renamed as Burj Khalifa.

Burj Khalifa consists of offices, Armani Hotel and then residences as we move upwards. The office spaces are the most high tech in the world and the tower also has four swimming pools. There are all types of amenities in the building itself such as resident’s lounge, gyms and even a cigar club for the elite. There is also an observatory on the top from where you can see the whole of Dubai. The elevators have tops speeds to make you reach the highest of the destination within one minute. They have been built with double decks that look very futuristic. In order to keep the Dubai heat away the 22,000 cladding panels on the outside. The whole building took $1.5 billion. It beats the second highest building which is the Taipei Tower whose antenna height is 509 meters while the antenna height of Burj Khalifa is 828 meters.

Burj Khalifa location

Well, first things first. Burj Khalifa is located in downtown Dubai beside the gigantic Dubai Mall. Using the Dubai Metro, board the redline to Burj Khalifa Station. From here, board the F13 bus and alight at the next stop-Dubai Mall bus stop. Now walk through the mall to get to Burj Khalifa. Otherwise, walk in the air-conditioned overpass.

Where to Visit

At the very top of Burj Khalifa is the 163rd floor of the tower that is however not accessible to the public.

Burj Khalifa has two observation decks open to guests. The lower deck is popular as At the Top standing at a height of 452 meters. When the tower was officially opened in 2010, it was the highest observation deck on the globe. Unfortunately, this title was grabbed by an observation deck in China-Canton Tower. But when it comes to standing out, Burj Khalifa is definitely not the one to let anything stand in the way hindering its glory. Consequently, Burj Khalifa opened a new deck-At the Top SKY now standing at 555 metres and currently the world’s tallest observation deck.

Burj Khalifa ticket price

Visiting At the Top, Burj Khalifa requires a ticket, and are the prices

• Adult (12 years+) – Ticket price: from 154 AED (about 42 USD or 3,060 INR)
• Child (4-12 years) – Ticket price: from 119 AED (about 33 USD or 2,365 INR)
• Infant (below 4 years): FREE

The time of the day.

Prime hours for the observation decks are between 3:30 PM and 6:00 PM to correspond with sunset

What to Expect At the Entrance

If your ticket does not allow you to skip the line and proceed to the observation deck, you’ll be expected to wait in line. While waiting though, you don’t have to get bored as the area is donned with spectacular interactive displays that tell the story of the skyscraper.

You’ll then be directed to the elevator that will whip you at a dizzying speed of 10m/s

At the observation decks, soak in the spectacular views of Dubai skyline and the gulf beyond. Telescopes here are built with technology that provides high definition views of landmarks and attractions beyond the city and it’s also equipped with a feature that shows what the city looks like during day and night.

Interesting facts about Burj Khalifa

Although Burj Khalifa has 160 accessible floors, the actual number of floors is 163. The three extras form the mechanical wing that’s not accessible to the public.

The construction of the magnificent tower kicked off in 2004,and all the skeletal and exterior was completed by 1st Oct 2009. But there was more. It took yet another 3 months to finish up the interiors before the big opening ceremony on 4th January 2010.

A prestigious hotel occupies the first 15 floors, and upto 900 luxury residential flats in the subsequent floors all the way up to level 108. Another world class hotel further occupies three floors on Levels 122, 123 and 124. Following on level 125 to level 148 is the observation decks. The remaining floors comprise of either office office space that’s either occupied or awaiting tenants.

Out of all the facilities in the preceding point, the most obvious attraction by far is level 125 to 148 and without a doubt the highlight of this tower.

The tower is the only place in the world where you can catch two sunsets in a day. Be sure to catch the first sunset At the Top, level 125 and then make your way up for even a more dramatic, shimmering shades of the sunset from At the Top, SKY.

By the end of 2014, the distance travelled by At the Top elevators was equivalent to that of circumnavigating the globe eight times. The sheer thought of it is mindblowing. Maybe the only way to fully experience that feeling is to board the elevators eight times considering it moves pretty fast-10m/s

Now forget about the impressive height for a minute. What about the fashionable, luxe hotels Burj Khalifa hosts? The tower hosts the first ever Armani Hotel designed by the Giorgio Armani. The hotel is without a doubt a novelty in the boutique hotel industry and more so being the first to be designed by a fashion designer as prestigious as Armani. The one of a kind hotel not only in the emirates but in the entire world offers sophistication like no other with its 160 exclusive rooms and suites featuring decor and furnishing bearing the Armani signature.

But like everything, this is not the last one. Already the haute fashion designer-Armani has commissioned the building of a further 6 hotels and 3 holiday resorts under his label Armani.

What would it take you to chill out in the world’s second highest pool? Welcome to the scenic pool at level 76 of Burj Khalifa that’s extraordinary in its own style as it offers something no other pool in Dubai or at least most of the world doesn’t-Sky high views of glitzy Dubai and the gulf beyond.

Fine dining you ask? The tower also hosts the world’s highest restaurant-At.Mosphere. If style runs in your veins, no better place to delight your soul with world class delicacies than At.Mosphere. The ultimate perfect venue to dine and wine in style

The tower features three sky lobbies (different from observation decks). One is on level 43, another one on 76th floor and the last on level 123. Don’t ask us how. But what we know is that these are public places for residents and visitors. For ordinary guests, the guess is if you’re dining At.Mosphere (level 122) there will be nothing stopping you from going a floor higher.

Discover fascinating facts as you unravel the various high points of Burj Khalifa. The magnanimous man-made structure is truly appreciated only if you witness Dubai through Burj Khalifa’s eyes. Called ‘At the Top’, tourists are taken to Level 124, where they experience Dubai in its true spirit. You will know what the world is like when viewed from hundred floors above. It arouses a state of weightlessness and recognition of the ‘One’. Magically, everything that seemed so humongous on land turns into a minuscule replica laid out perfectly on a desert playground.

From the time you leave Dubai Mall to start your journey towards the Observation Deck, every moment introduces you to a new emerging technology. The jet speed elevators, the glass ceiling walls, awe-inspiring height, and overall opulence transcends into a virtual feeling of an alien colony, but a man-made one. Star trek was just a movie, but if there is anything that could come as close in reality, it would have to be Burj Khalifa.