Only sky is a limit: Worlds's highest observation decks
Oriental Pearl Radio & TV Tower, Shanghai
The Oriental Pearl Radio & TV Tower tried to hide in the Pudong district. But whether because of the height of 461 meters, or due to its remarkable architecture, it attracts a stream of sight-seekers. Giant beads inbuilt into the tower can be reached by water, by public transport or through tunnel connecting the parts of the city and running on the bottom of the Huangpu River. The supertall offers a plethora of tourist features: the ground floor houses the Shanghai Municipal History Museum which offers performances of Silk Road, bronze lions guarding the Hong Kong-Shanghai Bank, pictures and interiors. More than a hundred artists for the past five years were working hard to share the treasures of China. The building also has shops, tea houses, hotels and souvenir booths. The express elevator needs just forty seconds to fly up and reach one of the highest publicly-accessible tourist spaces around the world. The Oriental Pearl starred in Transformers and Fantastic Four. Pay $23 and you can get into epicentre of events in China.
Photo luoghimeravigliosi.altervista.org
Petronas Twin Towers, Malaysia
Malaysia is not far behind - the highest twin towers are natives of the capital city Kuala Lumpur. The project idea from the Prime Minister found the gratitude of those seeking a sky-high view. The iconic construction of 450 meters was invested by the oil and gas company Petroliam Nasional Berhad. The towers are symmetrical and each contains 88 floors. Double-decker elevators stop at two floors: one deck stops on even-numbered floor, and another one, respectively, on the odd-numbered floor. The best hours to visit the twins are any time: a clear day affords Olympian understanding of the map and structure of the city, the evening allows to see the Malaysian sunset. The ticket costs $23, it provides access to a transparent sky bridge which connects the two towers halfway up the buildings, and climb to the observation platform.
Photo aseanstfellowship.aseanfoundation.org
Skywalk, Grand Canyon
The Martian Chronicles are at hand reach if you go to the north-west of Arizona. In the forties and fifties years airlines deliberate planned their air routes so as to enable passengers to see all the grandeur of the Grand Canyon. The year of 2007 provided a chance to step a little behind the edge, to set foot on the observation deck Skywalk providing unparalleled view of natural wonder. Thirty-one million dollars, five hundred tons of steel and twenty-nine tons of glass were used for the construction of a glass-floored, horseshoe-shaped walkway. Hualapai Tribe permitted travel company to implement the idea to attract tourists wishing to stare at flowing Colorado River. At an altitude of astonishing 1450 meters one can see breath taking sights, visit the museum and the cinema, while remembering to put on slippers not to scratch the glass floor. The ticket cost $90, including space food.
Photo grandcanyonwest.com
Aiguille du Midi, France
In the Chamonix valley at an altitude of 3842 meters one can visit another vertigo-challenging attraction which is a glass platform in the clouds at the top of Aiguille du Midi, which translates literally to "Needle of the Mid-day". Cableway departs from Chamonix ski resort. The idea of this project came to the Swiss engineers back in 1905, and was expressed in connection of mountain point of France with village of Les Pelerins. The idea was implemented only in 1952 and took three years. The journey includes visits to two levels: the first section at an altitude of 2354 meters is Plan de l'Aiguille. Here, there is a starting point for the ascent of Mont Blanc and extreme sports: skiing, hiking, rock climbing, paragliding. Moving up and up, one can reach the terraces of the Aiguille du Midi. Height obliges for special treat: the restaurant 3842 has the haute cuisine menu! The top station is like a small village for hermits - two cable car platforms, souvenir shops and of course the views of the vast expanses of the Swiss, French and Italian Alps!
Photo lesterlost.com
The Shard London Bridge, England
Thoughts and hands of the Italian architect Renzo Piano have left a trace in London in the form of high-rise architectural marvel the Shard. The artist was inspired by railway lines, spires of English churches that resulted into a crystal-shiny skyscraper towers above the sprawling metropolis at its highest point on the southern bank of the Thames. Resembling a piece of snowflakes, almost 310 meters tall, The Shard accommodated offices, apartments, hotels and aerial restaurants. Under the clouds, from unprecedented heights visitors enjoy breathtaking urban views of Buckingham Palace, Wembley stadium, St. Peter's Cathedral and the central Tower from 9 a.m. till 10 p.m.
Photo timothysoararchive.co.uk
Sands Sky Park, Singapore
We go on our journey to the clouds with ultra-modern high-rise building. Eyes contemplate, and fantasy recreates thrilling of Formula 1 track, photosynthesis of futuristic garden, wandering ships, holidaymakers in the port. Where is such a marvellous panorama? The 55th floor of the hotel Marina Bay Sands offers a taste of the highlife by viewing Singapore from above. Guests of the hotel can contemplate the city while relaxing in the pool. The rest of them enjoys the same high value view from the platform on the roof.
Photo visa-exp.соm
Eiffel Tower, Paris
Shooting heavenwards above the city, the most famous Parisian lookout point, could have had a slightly different shape. 107 contestants participated at the French architectural design competition, among which there were, for instance, a huge guillotine as a reminder of the events of the French Revolution in 1789. Nevertheless, the choice fell on the already well-known project. It took about two-plus years to build the tower and in 1889 on the Champ de Mars it flashed with the first lights. Design and illumination were in the focus: the tower is bathed in a colourful light show every night when 125 bulbs flicker and flash with different images like flying comet, signs of the zodiac. The lowest floor is an info desk where brochures and souvenirs await you, here operates a post office for fans of post-crossing (exchange of postcards around the world). Climbing up one can take a break with a glass of wine in the Tour Eiffel restaurant, that is on the first floor at height of 57 meters. Cineiffel Centre with talisman of tower Gus, introduce visitors to the history. Hungry after climbing to the second floor (115 meters), grab a snack of oysters at the restaurant Jules Verne and admire the panorama. With sparkling bubbles of champagne, finish your climb to the third level of 276 meters and record in memory impressions of 360-degree views of this glittering city.
Photo oddviser.com
Cover photo aldianews.com
