Petronas Twin Towers

travel wonder in Malaysia

Why the Petronas

Twin Towers are special

The Petronas Twin Towers - 452 meters (1483 feet) high - were until recently the world's tallest buildings. Though no longer the title holder, they still have their visually dramatic design. And, unlike most other skyscrapers, they are no other super skyscrapers in their city blocking or competing for the visitor's eye. They can easily be appreciated from all compass points.

The sight of the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is made even more spectacular by a 58-meter (192-foot) twin-tier skybridge that connects the structures about halfway up, on the 41st and 42nd floors.

How the new

Taipei 101 building 

affected the ranking of

the Petronas Twin Towers

The Taipei 101 building in Taiwan is now the world's tallest building. It has 101 stories and stands 507 meters (1667 feet) high, which is about 12% higher than the Petronas Twin Towers.

This fact lowered the Petronas Twin Towers' ranking in the top 100 list from 70 to 81, but it didn't knock them off the top 100 list because of their striking architectural motif. And, it is because of the Taipei 101 building's rather awkward pagoda architectural design that it didn't quite make the top 100 list, despite it being the world's tallest building.

Even taller buildings

are coming

The days of being the world's tallest building are numbered for the Taipei 101 structure:

In China, the foundation is already laid for the Shanghai World Financial Center, which will win the "tallest in the world" title when it is completed (likely in 2007).

Even higher buildings are in the early stages of construction or are on the drawing boards in other cities, including Dubai, Jakarta, Chicago, and New York City.

View my other top 100

Wonders of the World

I hope your Malaysia travel dreams come true - and that 

my Petronas Twin Towers page helps you enjoy your vacation, tour or trip

©2008 HQP / Hillman Quality Publications