List of the Tallest Towers

The Burj Dubai

• Unveiled in January 2010, the Burj Dubai in the United Arab Emirates is a new record-holder at 2,717 feet and 160 stories. The tower is visible from as far away as 60 miles.

Taipei 101

• The Taipei 101 tower in Taiwan was the tallest building in the world from its construction in 2004 until the Burj Dubai overtook it. The Taipei 101 measures 1,671 feet and 101 stories.

The Shanghai World Financial Center

• The Shanghai World Financial Center is the tallest building in China at 1,614 feet. Like the Taipei 101, it boasts 101 stories. It opened on Aug. 28, 2008, in Shanghai's Pudong District.

Nanjing Greenland Financial Center

• The Nanjing Greenland Financial Center, also called the Zifeng Tower, is also in China, and was actually designed by the same architecture firm behind the Burj Dubai tower. It ranks at 89 stories and 1,500 feet, impressive but well below the very tallest buildings.

Petronas Towers

• Built in 1998, the 1,483-foot Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, are the world's tallest twin buildings. Both towers are 88 stories and are connected by a sky bridge on the 41st and 42nd floors that acts as a safety corridor in case of fire.

Willis Tower

• The Willis Tower, formerly known as the Sears tower in Chicago, was the tallest in the world when it was completed in 1973, at 1,450 feet. It has since been displaced, but remains the tallest building in the United States.

Jin Mao Tower

• The Jin Mao Tower was the tallest in China until 2007, when the Shanghai World Financial Center opened next to it. It still stands tall at 1380 feet and still hosts the highest hotel in the world, a Hyatt occupying the top 38 floors.

2 International Finance Center

• Tower 2 of Hong Kong's International Finance Center also ranks among the tallest towers in the world at 1,362 feet. It is one of the few buildings in the world equipped with double-deck elevators.