Among the modern sights of the UAE, the Burj Khalifa skyscraper is most often remembered. The building has become a symbol of Dubai, it is famous for its height, unique architecture. Before visiting this place in the United Arab Emirates, tourists and independent travelers are advised to learn more about its history, which you can see.
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History of creation
Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world, at 828 meters and over 160 floors. But this record has been held for just over 10 years. Prior to that, the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the Delhi Qutub Minar, which was built in 1193, had the palms. The closest competitor is the Taipei 101 tower in China, which is 508 meters high. But the project was closed in 2010. The skyscraper near the UAE is named after the ruler of Abu Dhabi and the president of the United Arab Emirates.
The chief architect is Adrian Smith. He designed the Willis Tower in Chicago and the One World Center in New York. In this building, he had a difficult task – to combine Islamic national and modern architecture. At the same time, the Burj Khalifa in the UAE was to become the tallest mosque in the world. It is shaped like a stalagmite.
Construction Facts:
- Construction began in 2004, the official opening took place in 2010.
- The skyscraper is located in the center of Dubai.
- Concrete was made for the construction, which can withstand temperatures up to +50 ° C without loss of strength.
- The skyscraper does not have a conventional foundation. It stands on piles 45 m long and 1.54 m in diameter.
- The design is asymmetrical, which allows to compensate for wind loads.
As the Burj Khalifa in Dubai was built, changes were made to the project. So, the initial height was supposed to be 705 m. Later, this figure was increased to 818 m. However, after the completion of the construction, the final height became 828 m.
general description
This building in Dubai performs several functions – a tourist attraction, commercial and government organizations are located here. Part of the floors are given over to residential apartments. The first 15 levels are occupied by the Armani Hotel, which has 304 rooms, a spa, two restaurants and a nightclub. Due to the location, the price of renting rooms is higher than in other hotels in the city.
The Burj Khalifa has 900 apartments located on floors 19-108. The entire infrastructure of the skyscraper is available to residents, including swimming pools located on levels 43 and 76. The first of them is open, the second is closed.
Accommodation features:
- Direct access to Dubai Mall.
- Free access to the Armani Hotel’s spa.
- On each floor there are gyms, places for fitness, yoga.
During the development of the building, a security system was developed. You can get to the residential floors of the Burj Khalifa in the UAE only with a special card that every tenant has. The security service can let guests in, but only with the prior consent of the residents.
How to get there
The tower is conveniently located in the city center. It can be reached by metro, taxi or public transport. If you are staying far from the center, it is recommended to order a taxi. The reason is the underdeveloped public transport network. Most residents of the metropolis travel by their own cars or order a taxi. For local sightseeing, it is recommended to plan a metro route. the price of one trip is from 2 AED.
Travel options:
- Metro. Take the red line and get to Burj Khalifa station. After leaving the car, follow the signs to Dubai Mall. Through the shopping center you can get to the tower.
- By taxi. Only licensed services operate in the city. The landing price is 25 dirhams, the cost of 1 km is 2.5 AED.
- By bus. This is the most difficult route and is not recommended for guests and solo travelers.
The fastest way to get to Burj Khalifa in the UAE is by taxi. It is not necessary to name the location, taxi drivers know the shortest routes. Skyscraper address: Dubai Downtown, 1 Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard.
Lookouts
Several viewing platforms were built to attract tourists. In addition to the entrance fee to the building, you need to buy a subscription to visit one of them. It offers beautiful views of Dubai, offers additional services – photo shoots, breakfasts or lunches, visits to lounge areas. A visit to the Burj Khalifa in the UAE should be planned 1-1.5 weeks in advance. During this time, you can buy all subscriptions, agree on a date. Inspection time – from 1.5 hours. This may not be enough to appreciate the features of a skyscraper in the United Arab Emirates.
At the Top
This is the most accessible and cheapest observation deck in Burj Khalifa. An open terrace has been made on the 124th floor, which allows you to see the metropolis and smell it. At level 125, 360° viewing windows were made. This is where the most beautiful photos come from. armchairs, chairs, sofas are installed for the convenience of guests.
The disadvantage is a lot of tourists and independent travelers. Even if you buy a ticket in advance, you will have to stand in line. The site is open from 8:00 to 00:00. But the exact schedule needs to be clarified on the official website. Price per visit – from 140 AED, for children – from 119 dirhams. Young tourists under the age of 4 are admitted free of charge. The price depends on the time of the visit. The most expensive is in the evening. Then you can see the nightlife of Dubai, the famous singing fountains.
At the Top plus lounge
These are tickets to the same observation decks of Burj Khalifa in the UAE, but with additional services. No need to stand in line. Separate zones have been made for visiting with the opportunity to relax. Additional free drinks and food are provided. So you can spend more time in a skyscraper with better comfort.
The disadvantage is that the price rises almost 3 times. The ticket price for an adult starts from 468 AED. For children you need to pay 378 dirhams. There is an opportunity to visit another observation deck on the 148th floor. comfortable sofas are installed here, guests are treated to juice, cakes, and other oriental sweets.
The Lounge
Located on floors 152-154. The height of the platforms is 585 meters. Comfortable conditions for guests are created here. You can have a good time, take beautiful photos. But the lounge area is the most expensive in the building, to visit an adult you need to pay 599 AED, for young tourists you will have to pay 520 dirhams.
It is recommended to plan a visit in the evening, when the panorama of Dubai at night will be visible. There are usually few visitors to this Burj Khalifa observation deck in the UAE. Advantages – no queues, you can choose a convenient time to visit.
Things to Do in Burj Khalifa
Business, cultural and entertainment center of the Middle East, Dubai has a large number of attractions that will entertain children and adults. People planning to visit Dubai should include these attractions in their itinerary to enjoy the city to the fullest.
Burj Khalifa park
Designed by the SWA Group, Burj Khalifa has become one of the most beautiful parks in the country. There are six water structures in the park, paths are equipped. For relaxation, you can choose one of the gardens. In the center of the Burj Khalifa there is a large hall with artificial waterfalls. Nearby there are several sites with pools and fountains. Feature – on all interior items there are images of the Burj Khalifa.
A condensate collection system is used to water the plants. The source is the skyscraper’s cooling system. This leads to increased humidity in the air. The water is stored in the basement car park, providing nearly 15 million gallons of extra water per year, the equivalent of 20 swimming pools. There are tennis courts in the park. Swimming pools have been built for children and adults, there are several playgrounds.
Dubai Mall
Dubai Mall is the largest shopping center in the world. It is part of the Burj Khalifa complex. About 1.2 thousand boutiques and shops work here. The mall is accessible through Doha Street, which is a two-story walkway between buildings.
The main attraction of the Dubai Mall in Burj Khalifa UAE is the Gold Souk. Here you can choose jewelry in 220 stores. There is an atrium Fashion Catwalk, Fashion Island (prospect), department store Galeries Lafayette. Operates Oasis Fountain Waterfall, Waterfront Atrium, SEGA Indoor Theme Park, SEGA Republic, KidZania Cineplex with 22 screens.
The shopping center in Burj Khalifa UAE includes a hotel with 250 rooms, 120 restaurants and cafes, 22 cinemas. Cars can be left in underground parking lots, where 14,000 parking spaces are located. Dubai Mall has also received several awards including Retail Future Project Award, Best Scheme Development Scheme Award, Best Use of Lighting in a Retail Environment, Best Art Direction/Graphic Design, Best 4-color Silver Award.
Aquarium and Underwater Zoo
The Aquarium and Discovery Center is located in the Dubai Mall. The aquarium received the status of the largest in the world. The Oceanis Australia Group was involved in the creation, it even officially entered the Guinness Book of Records for being “the world’s largest acrylic panel” (32.88 m in length and 8.3 m in height). It is larger than the acrylic viewing panel of the Japanese aquarium Okinawa Churaumi.
Through a 270-degree glass tunnel, guests enter a large aquarium. Here are collected living organisms, fish and others inhabited the sea, oceans. The collection includes about 33 thousand animals and plants.