World's tallest building opens in Dubai

Travellers visiting Dubai this year will have the opportunity to ascend to the top of the world's tallest building.

Burj Dubai was officially opened yesterday (January 4th) with a party attended by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler of the emirate, and opened its doors to tourists today.

It forms the centrepiece of the Downtown complex, which is also home to the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa Lake Park and other attractions.

The tower stands at a height of over 800 metres and took a total of 22 million man hours to build.

It is an example of "global collaboration", according to Mohammed Alabbar, chairman of developer Emaar Properties.

He added: "Burj Dubai shows just what can be achieved when people from all over the world come together to strive for a common purpose."

Inside the building is one of the world's fastest elevators, which takes visitors all the way up to the 124th floor.

High-power telescopes offer views stretching across the United Arab Emirates, from the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Desert.

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