From afar, the Burj Khalifa resembles cylindrical columns stacked up as a pyramid tapering to a spear point 828m above ground. When it was unveiled, it shattered the previous record for the world’s tallest building that was fiercely protected by the Taipei 101 by a whopping 320m. In fact, as you soar up the Burj’s heights at speeds of 10m/s and the floors fall away with the click of your fingers, you’re breaking through records such as the highest occupied floor, highest outdoor observation deck, the tallest service elevator, the fastest double deck elevators and more.

The first stop is at the 125th floor, adorned with intriguing tessellations of wood frames and glass known as mashrabiya cut into a kaleidoscopic design of stars and spiraling triangles. This was the first deck built, elevating you 452m above ground. If the height has yet to leave you feeling dizzy, shoot up a 100m more to the second observation deck installed. Set at 555m above ground, the soaring skyscrapers from below look like mere matchboxes stood straight from here. A metropolis of glass and steel, a concrete forest raised by man’s hand, Dubai is a glittering jewel at the feet of the Burj Khalifa from where you stand. Telescopes set up all around the deck allow you to zoom into the furthest horizon and witness how our hands have passed over every inch of space to be seen. Eye to eye with the birds, the Burj Khalifa threads together the sky and earth to leave you suspended between both from within its platforms.