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Burj Khalifa
哈利法塔 · Dubai, United Arab Emirates
828 metres piercing the clouds — the new-era coordinate of human architectural history
Know before you go
- No large luggage or professional tripods (subject to security regulations)
- no scratching on the observation-deck glass, sitting on railings or blocking fire exits
- no use of drones to photograph the tower and its surroundings without permission
This article is Not yet verified. Please check official announcements for prices, opening hours and dates.
Stories & people
Stories & people
History
Stories of Burj Khalifa
There are two suspense threads in the Burj Khalifa's story: first, secrecy about its height — throughout construction the developer steadfastly refused to announce the final height, and only at topping-out did the outside world learn that the figure of 828 metres would push the world record up by more than three hundred metres in one go; second, the last-minute name change — only on its inauguration night in 2010 was it renamed from Burj Dubai to Burj Khalifa. The design inspiration is equally documented: the plan derives from the three-petal form of the local desert spider lily and Islamic geometric patterns, and the Y-shaped three-lobed layout gives every household a sea view while shedding wind loads layer by layer. None of this is legend but facts recorded in drawings and ceremony records; the tower's legendary aura comes precisely from this drama of stacking engineering, finance and national narrative into a single evening. Interestingly, even the tower's final height remained a project secret before topping-out — most construction workers knew only part of the picture.
Source: Burj Khalifa official website; Wikipedia: Burj Khalifa
History
History of Burj Khalifa
Construction of the Burj Khalifa began in 2004 and it was officially inaugurated on 4 January 2010: a building height of 828 metres with 163 storeys above ground, designed by Adrian Smith of SOM, its plan adopting a three-lobed footprint layout to resist wind and echo Islamic architectural geometry, and its structure using a buttressed core system. At the construction peak over ten thousand workers were on site at once, and records such as concrete pumping height were repeatedly broken. The project was originally named Burj Dubai and was renamed Burj Khalifa on the inauguration night, after Khalifa bin Zayed, president of the UAE and ruler of Abu Dhabi — coming right after Dubai's debt troubles, the renaming is widely read as a tribute to Abu Dhabi's support (this is a widely reported interpretation; officials have not explained it item by item).
Source: Burj Khalifa official website; Wikipedia: Burj Khalifa
Culture
Culture & customs
Background
The Burj Khalifa is the apex of Dubai's city brand: from a pearl-trading port to a global aviation and finance hub, the tower turned the emirate's ambition into a skyline, and together with Downtown Dubai, Dubai Mall and the Dubai Fountain it forms a complete landmark cluster.
Local customs
- Dubai's public rhythm follows the Islamic calendar, and catering and operating arrangements inside the tower adjust during Ramadan
- local and international communities gather beneath the tower on National Day (early December) and New Year's Eve to watch the light shows and fireworks, and the New Year's Eve tower show is a globally broadcast annual event.
Religion & beliefs
- The building itself has no specific religious affiliation, and the UAE is an Islamic country: the tower contains prayer rooms, and because sunset comes later the higher up residents live, the iftar time during Ramadan differs by a few minutes between floors — a much-retold detail of local life
- dress appropriately in public spaces.
Etiquette & taboos
Etiquette & taboos
Don’t DON'T
- No large luggage or professional tripods (subject to security regulations)
- no scratching on the observation-deck glass, sitting on railings or blocking fire exits
- no use of drones to photograph the tower and its surroundings without permission
Locals appreciate DO
- Book a timed ticket online in advance and arrive at least 30 minutes early at the Dubai Mall lower-ground entrance for security screening
- on the observation decks follow the one-way flow, and yield to those queuing when taking photos at the glass walls
- when eating or drinking in public areas during Ramadan, mind local custom and official guidance
Plan your visit
Practical info
Travel tips
- The observation decks run on timed reservations
- the sunset slot is the most sought-after and the most expensive — book online at least several days in advance
- The entrance is on the lower ground (LG) floor of Dubai Mall
- walking from the metro station through the mall takes over ten minutes, so allow ample walking time
- Tower-visit products come in three tiers — levels 124/125, level 148, and the higher-floor lounge — with very different floors and benefits
- read the product details carefully before ordering
- The At The Top observation decks usually open from morning until late at night (each product has different hours, and level 148's hours are shorter) — follow the day's arrangements on the official booking page. Tickets use time-based pricing: levels 124/125 start at about AED 169 off-peak (on the order of CNY 330) and rise higher at the sunset peak
- level 148 starts at about AED 379, and the levels 152–154 lounge costs more — all subject to official prices. Take the Metro Red Line to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station and walk through the link corridor into the mall. Allow 1.5–2.5 hours for the visit
- a dusk slot captures the day view, the sunset and the night view in one visit.
Eat nearby
What to eat nearby
Must-try
- Arabic mezze platter
- Machboos spiced rice
- Lebanese mixed grill
- Luqaimat honey dumplings
- Arabic coffee with dates
Arabic mezze platter (hummus, pita and olives, the classic starter); Machboos spiced rice (chicken or lamb with saffron rice); Lebanese mixed grill (steadily good quality at downtown restaurants); Luqaimat honey dumplings (a traditional Emirati dessert); Arabic coffee with dates (the combination of hospitality)
| Where to eat | The restaurant clusters of Dubai Mall and Souk Al Bahar are the most convenient, with the best views on the fountain-lake side; for dining at altitude, book the tower's At.mosphere (expensive, reservations essential) |
|---|---|
| Dining etiquette | Emirati public dining etiquette: accept tea and coffee with the right hand, and be cautious about eating openly in non-dining areas during Ramadan daytime; Arabic meals are often shared from large platters, and leaving a little in your dish is polite |
| Typical price per person | AED 80–180 per person, about CNY 158–355 (market reference); the tower's high-floor restaurants run to AED 500 or more per person |
| Tips | Fountain-view restaurants need dinner bookings several days ahead; for value, choose the Souk Al Bahar side, where you can see both the tower and the full fountain panorama |
Prices are typical rates as of October 2026, not exact quotes; CNY equivalents are approximate where exchange rates fluctuate.
Photos
Photos
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Laika ac · CC BY-SA 2.0
Sergei Gussev · CC BY 2.0
