The Highest Tourist Destinations
THE HIGHEST VIEWING PLATFORMS IN THE WORLD
Since humanity mastered the art of construction, people have always strived to reach new heights, building cathedrals, temples, pyramids, and other buildings that take your breath away with their height. In the modern world, of course, there are a vast number of high places created by human hands: skyscrapers, bridges, ferris wheels, and so on. Let's find out which of them can be called the highest.
Madonna della Corona, Verona, Italy
From the outside, it seems that the Madonna della Corona church is hanging in the air. The chapel indeed rises almost vertically on a sheer cliff.
This simple little church, modest in size, was built in honor of the miraculous appearance of the statue of Addolorata (the Sorrowful Mother), known as Madonna della Corona, which is said to have appeared on June 24, 1522. In the following centuries, it was gradually expanded, with utility buildings constructed nearby. In the 1970s, the dilapidated structure was demolished, and a new one was built in its place. The architects tried to preserve all historical specificity.
To see this unique structure, one must embark on a challenging two-hour ascent to Mount Baldo in the Italian Alps. More than three-quarters of the building is wedged under the overhang of the cliff, which is partially visible from inside the building. The architectural complex with a view of the Adige Valley can be reached by minibus or on foot, following the ancient pilgrim route, starting from Brentino in Val-Adige, where a very long staircase with 1540 steps carved into the rock leads to the beautiful sanctuary.
The Transparent Cube Over the Abyss "Step into the Void"
This extreme attraction can also be called a walk over the abyss. It opened in late December 2013 in Chamonix, at the top of the Aiguille du Midi peak (3842 meters). The completely transparent cube, with walls, floor, and ceiling made of glass, hangs over an abyss that is 1035 meters deep. The structure was designed by Pierre-Yves Chays, inspired by the glass Skywalk bridge over the Grand Canyon in the USA.
The "Step into the Void" cube is located on the viewing terrace of the Aiguille du Midi peak (3842 meters) in the Chamonix-Mont-Blanc resort area, in the southeastern part of the Haute-Savoie department, France.
Photos from such heights will be better than from a drone, and you will certainly never forget your feelings. All visitors to this viewing platform are given white slippers, but this is without any ulterior motive, simply to avoid scratching the transparent floor.
The Longest Pedestrian Suspension Bridge in the World: SkyBridge
The incredibly popular SkyPark amusement park by Alan J. Hackett in Sochi is known for having the longest pedestrian bridge in the world, SkyBridge. Its length is 439 meters, and it is located 207 meters above the river in a picturesque mountain valley — over the Akhtyrsky gorge and the Mzymta River.
SkyBridge was designed by Russian and New Zealand architects and built as part of the "AJ Hackett" skypark. The bridge is supported by eight metal cables weighing 700 tons, and its construction took 2 years and 2000 cubic meters of concrete. The project passed all necessary tests and was deemed safe: the bridge can withstand an earthquake of up to 9 points and the simultaneous presence of three thousand people.
SkyBridge is intended for both tourists who wish to walk and enjoy panoramic views and for thrill-seekers who enjoy bungee jumping. From a special launch platform, one can make a jump with an elastic cord (bungee) of 69 meters — this attraction is called "Bungy 69 m".
The Trollstigen Viewing Platform, Norway
The viewing platform in the Møre og Romsdal region in western Norway is one of the most popular and visited tourist spots in the country.
From here, there is a view of the Troll Road — part of the Norwegian national road RV63, connecting the towns of Åndalsnes and Valldal. The road was opened in 1936 after 8 years of construction. It still serves as an example of engineering art.
The Viaduct in the City of Millau, Southern France
The Millau Viaduct, which can rightly be considered the pinnacle of engineering and architectural mastery, is popular among travelers as one of the most interesting attractions in France. Firstly, it offers a luxurious view of the Tarn River valley, and secondly, it is one of the favorite subjects for modern photographers. Photos of the Millau Viaduct, which is nearly two and a half kilometers long and 32 meters wide, taken by the best and most renowned photographers, adorn numerous office buildings and hotels not only in France but throughout the Old World.
The bridge presents a particularly fantastic spectacle when clouds gather beneath it: at that moment, it seems as if the viaduct is suspended in the air with no supports beneath it. The height of the bridge above the ground at its highest point is just over 270 meters. The length of the bridge is 2.5 km, and it is part of the road from Paris to the town of Béziers. Its construction cost nearly 400 million euros, so crossing it is toll-based; it is expected to pay for itself in about 80 years.
The Museum in South Tyrol on Mount Kronplatz, Italy.
The mountaineering museum on Mount Kronplatz is the last of six museums built at the initiative of one of the greatest climbers in the world, Reinhold Messner, who was the first in the history of mountaineering to conquer all fourteen eight-thousanders and the first to ascend Everest without an oxygen mask. The museum was opened in 2015. It is located at the top of Mount Kronplatz at an altitude of 2,275 meters.
The museum in South Tyrol on Mount Kronplatz studies mountains, glaciers, the history of mountaineering, and rock climbing.
The design, reminiscent of a spaceship, was developed by Zaha Hadid, an Iraqi-British architect and a representative of deconstructivism. In 2004, she became the first woman in history to be awarded the Pritzker Prize for achievements in architecture.
The Glass Bridge of the Petronas Twin Towers
It is located in Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur, where the Petronas Towers (height 452 m) are situated, and the glass bridge is located between these skyscrapers at a height of 170 meters. It is not easy to get here (only 300 people per day), first, you need to stand in a long queue, and if luck is on your side, for $24 you can stroll across this glass structure and also ascend to another viewing platform on the 86th floor.
Willis Tower in Chicago, USA
The tallest skyscraper in the USA, its height is 443 meters, and the observation deck consists of four glass balconies that extend from the building on the 103rd floor, where no more than five people can fit.
On a clear day (visibility up to 80 km), in addition to views of Chicago and its surroundings, you can also see the territory of four states: Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
The Sears Tower has always been one of the main attractions of the city of Chicago. About 1.5 million tourists visit it each year. At a height of 412 meters is the Sears Tower observation deck, which offers a panoramic view of Chicago and its surroundings. After the events of September 11, 2001, security in the skyscraper was tightened.
Around the building, several dozen police officers patrol, and to enter, one must go through security comparable to that of the largest airports in the world.
The Sky Bridge, Malaysia
The bridge on the main island of the Langkawi archipelago was completed in 2005. It is one of the longest high single-pylon bridges in the world and features a viewing platform.
The bridge is 125 meters long and 1.8 meters wide, connecting two peaks of Gunung Mountain. Triangular platforms are located at the edges of the bridge, serving as stops where one can pause and admire the wonderful view of the island, the Andaman Sea, and neighboring islands from a larger area and give their legs a rest. Since the bridge is curved, it allows for delightful views from different angles.
The height of the structure is 650 m. The bridge is anchored to an inclined pylon by eight cables. Access to the bridge is only possible via a cable car.
Although the bridge may seem not very reliable, safety was the top priority during its design, so there is no need to worry that something might give way and the bridge will fall; it is very well thought out and completely safe for people.
The Lotte World Tower Skyscraper in South Korea
The new Lotte skyscraper has 123 above-ground floors. The lower floors house shops, banks, and offices, as well as medical and fitness centers. Floors 42 to 101 are occupied by offices, apartments, and a hotel. Floors 108 to 114 are rented out only floor by floor, one of which will be occupied by Shin Gyeok Ho, as reported by Korea JoongAng Daily. The uppermost floors (117–123) contain common areas, such as the observation deck. Two elevators, moving at a speed of 600 m/min, can transport over 100 people to it, and the observation deck can accommodate 900 people at once.
From the observation deck, there is a bird's-eye view of the city, and right underfoot is a glass floor and a bustling intersection far below. On a clear day, you can see the surrounding areas for several dozen kilometers.
The Sky Path in Arizona, USA
The "Grand Canyon Skywalk," shaped like a horseshoe, is located in the Grand Canyon at an altitude of 1219.2 meters and extends 20 meters from the edge of the canyon, allowing for a magnificent view of the park. Transparent railings and a floor made of high-purity glass are designed to create the impression that you are floating in the air while walking on the "Skywalk."
Everything is at a bird's-eye view: a magnificent panorama and the great Colorado River beneath your feet. For comparison, the height of the Sky Path is 2.25 times greater than that of the Ostankino Tower.
The Path of Fear in China
The Path of Fear is a glass walkway, 60 meters long, attached to the rock wall on Tianmen Mountain in the southern province of China - Zhangjiajie. The Path of Fear was laid at an altitude of 1430 meters and installed in the summer of 2013. The thickness of the glass under the feet of brave tourists who dare to walk over the abyss is 2.5 inches.
You can reach it by cable car, but it must be said that this entertainment is not for the faint-hearted, as deciding to walk on a glass bridge at such a great height, looking at the abyss yawning right beneath your feet, is a serious test of courage.
The Viewing Platform in the Bavarian Alps, Germany
An unusual structure appeared in the summer of 2010 over the "Hell Valley" in the Bavarian Alps. Two crossed platforms hang right over the abyss — this is what the controversially discussed viewing platform AlpspiX looks like.
From the tower, located at an altitude of 2628 meters on the peak of Alpspitze, a stunning and breathtaking view literally takes your breath away. If you are lucky and the weather is clear, you can even see the highest peak in Germany — Zugspitze, which is 2962 m high.
The best view of all this beauty is from here, from the viewing platform. It consists of two crossed walkways. Each walkway is 24 meters long and 3 meters wide. One of them extends into the abyss by 13 meters, while the other extends by 11 meters.
To build this viewing platform, about 60 tons of steel structures were delivered to an altitude of 2100 meters by helicopters.
Under the feet of those daring enough to walk over the abyss is only a grid. And below — a thousand meters of emptiness. Besides the grid, there are no barriers on the platform — it is assumed that this will allow people in wheelchairs and families with small children to visit the platforms.
The Eiffel Tower, Paris.
The Eiffel Tower is the most recognizable architectural landmark in Paris, world-renowned as a symbol of France, named after its designer Gustave Eiffel, and a pilgrimage site for tourists. The designer himself simply called it the 300-meter tower!
Throughout its history, over 250 million people have visited the tower, making it the most visited landmark in the world.
The height of the Eiffel Tower at its spire is 324 meters (as of 2000). For more than 40 years, the Eiffel Tower was the tallest structure in the world, nearly twice the height of the tallest buildings of that time — the Great Pyramid of Giza (137 m), Cologne Cathedral (156 m), and Ulm Cathedral (161 m) — until it was surpassed by the Chrysler Building in New York in 1930.
Taipei 101, Taipei, Taiwan
The building, rising 508 m above the ground, is one of the strongest on Earth, as innovative technologies and developments were used in its construction, taking into account the impact of the most severe natural phenomena, including the strongest typhoons and earthquakes that occur in the region every 2500 years. The structure is made of steel, aluminum, and glass, and is supported by 380 concrete pillars, 80 m of which go underground. The danger of collapse due to cataclysms is reduced to almost zero thanks to a 660-ton pendulum ball suspended between the 87th and 91st floors.
The first four floors house retail businesses, boutiques, and supermarkets, while the 5th and 6th floors contain a fitness center. Floors 7 to 84 are occupied by offices, and the next four are allocated for bars and restaurants. Following that are the observation decks, the highest of which is on the 101st floor.
Visitors can reach the observation decks via the fastest elevators in the world — they can reach the 89th floor in just 39 seconds!
Shanghai Tower, China - 546 m
The observation deck "Shanghai Tower" is located at an altitude of 546 meters above the ground, with an area of about 1000 sq. m. "Shanghai Tower" from above resembles a triangle. The hall is surrounded by a transparent glass wall from floor to ceiling — the viewing angle here is 360 degrees, providing visitors with a unique experience of being in a "sky city."
Exceeding the height of the observation decks of the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Jin Mao Tower, and the Shanghai World Financial Center, "Shanghai Tower" has now become the highest observation deck in Shanghai.
Visitors enter the building and first descend to the underground floor B1 in the waiting hall, where various interactive exhibits are presented. After visiting the exhibition, tourists descend to floor B2 via escalator and then ascend to "Shanghai Tower" on the world's fastest elevators, which take passengers to a height of 546 meters in just 55 seconds.
Sky Stairs in Austria, a Stairway to Nowhere.
Starting July 3, all guests arriving in Austria's Dachstein can tickle their nerves by walking across a suspension bridge that offers a view of the highest peaks of the Austrian Alps and the Dachstein glacier.
Those with "nerves of steel," as stated on the official Dachstein website, can walk on the staircase "leading to nowhere." The new attraction consists of a staircase leading to a glass platform that "hovers" above the ground, giving a person standing on it the sensation of free flight.
This transparent platform, which hangs at an altitude of 2700 meters, offers a panoramic view of the majestic peaks of the Austrian Alps, as well as such beauties as Triglav (the highest mountain in Slovenia, 2864 m) and the wonderful forests of the Czech Republic. The staircase to nowhere is a way to test your courage: a 100-meter-long metal bridge hanging over the abyss that ends with a staircase of 14 steps… into the void!
Mountain Lion Rock in Cape Town, South Africa.
Lion's Head is located in Cape Town, situated between Table Mountain and Signal Hill. The height of the mountain is 669 meters. Unlike Table Mountain, it can only be reached on foot. The ascent to the summit takes 3 hours, but the stunning view of Cape Town from the top is worth it.
Table Mountain, or Table Mountain, is a flat-topped peak officially recognized as one of the wonders of nature. Mountains typically have pointed peaks, but this mountain appears to have been sliced off by a giant knife. Thus, its summit is flat like a tabletop (hence the name). The height of the mountain is 1085 m above sea level. The viewing platform of the mountain is one of the best in the world; it is well-equipped — there are telescopes, a souvenir shop, and a restaurant at the top. You can reach the summit by cable car.
Sky Tree in Tokyo.
This is the tallest TV tower in the world - 634 meters. The only structure taller than this is the Burj Khalifa skyscraper in Dubai.
Access to the top is provided by several high-speed elevators with glass walls, moving at a speed of about 10 meters per second.
The main attractions of the Tokyo Sky Tree tower are two observation decks at heights of 350 and 450 meters, each of which has several floors. From these observation decks, everyone has the opportunity to view the capital of Tokyo from a bird's-eye perspective. The view from there is truly breathtaking.
CN Tower, Toronto, Canada
The main purpose of the skyscraper is to transmit signals for television broadcasting; its height of 553 m in the pre-satellite television era allowed for broadcasts over long distances.
Inside the tower, there is a staircase of 2570 steps leading to the top, but there are no takers for the climb on foot; visitors and staff prefer the elevators. Four transparent glass cabins glide along the outside wall, creating the effect of flying. On the way to the observation deck at a level of 351 m, you can survey the surroundings from a bird's-eye view.
The floor of the observation deck is laid with thick tempered glass, allowing you to walk over the city, looking down at its straight streets and tiny cars. There is no need to worry, as this super-strong glass can withstand even an elephant.
Since 2011, the CN Tower has featured an attraction not for the faint-hearted — a circular walk around the tower at a height of 356 m along the edge of the roof while being tethered by ropes.
The Sky Ladder in China.
For those afraid of heights, it is better not to visit the "Sky Ladder" in China. The stairs leading to Mount Huashan — one of the five sacred mountains of Daoism in China — can literally scare you to the point of trembling knees. After a vertical ascent, there begins a no less terrifying horizontal walk — a path just three boards wide nailed directly to the vertical slope of the mountain, with only one chain to hold onto. After that, there is another series of winding steps. At the top of Mount Huashan, you will find that the "heavens" are a hard-to-reach tea house with a stunning view.
The Rooftop Pool at Marina Bay Sands Hotel in Singapore.
The city-state of Singapore, which consists of just one city, has been astonishing the world with its economic achievements and ultra-modern architectural structures in recent decades. For example, the five-star Marina Bay Sands hotel consists of three buildings each 200 meters high. The main attraction for tourists is the huge rooftop pool of the hotel, part of the large entertainment center "Sky Park."
The outer edge of the pool ends right at the roof's edge. If you swim up to it, you will be treated to a wonderful view of all of Singapore. However, not everyone can swim to the edge of the pool on the first try — fear makes itself known.
Half Dome Mountain, Yosemite National Park, USA.
Half Dome is a granite monolith located in the eastern part of the national park. The height of the rock is 1450 meters above the Yosemite Valley. The first ascent to the summit dates back to 1875, and before that, the rock remained inaccessible.
Today, Half Dome is popular among both casual tourists without climbing skills and professionals. Each year, about 50,000 people conquer the granite rock. About a thousand tourists daily storm Half Dome under the supervision of national park rangers. They climb the rock, and out of the 12 km path, the last 150 meters to the summit are traversed via a special cable route, holding onto two taut woven metal cables. The last section of the route, known as the dome of the rock, is 144 meters high and goes along a special cable road.
The Royal Gorge Bridge - Canon City, Colorado.
The hanging Royal Gorge Bridge is a tourist attraction in the state of Colorado. The bridge is built at a height of 321 meters above the Arkansas River and is the highest bridge in the USA.
This bridge is intended only for pedestrian walks. Its length is 366 m (the main span is 268 m). Extreme tourists are attracted by the opportunity to make a jump from the legendary bridge with a bungee cord. Nearby, a cable car stretches over the river, carrying funiculars.
The Burj Khalifa Skyscraper in Dubai (UAE)
The Burj Khalifa is the tallest building on Earth, standing at 828 meters (829.8 with the antenna), located in the Downtown area of Dubai (UAE), completed in 2010. The highest observation deck in the world is located on the 148th floor of this tower at a height of 555 meters, and the second deck is on the 124th floor at a height of 452 meters.
Below, you can see an artificial lake and the Dubai fountains, while the Dubai Mall appears small from here (in the photo below, click on the image to enlarge), and it is the largest in the world. In the distance, you can see the Burj Al Arab hotel, and on a clear day, you can see the artificial islands Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali, and The World.
