Tall, taller, tallest

The skyscrapers in our picture, at the core of Shanghai's Lujiazui business district, are the only three supertall buildings in the world located virtually adjacent to each other. Jin Mao Tower (left, 1,380 feet) was mainland China's tallest building from 1999 until the Shanghai World Financial Center (right, 1,614 feet) opened in 2007 and took the title. Shanghai Tower (center, 2,139 feet) topped out in 2013, becoming one of the tallest skyscrapers in the world. From its observation deck at 1,800 feet, visitors can overlook the Bund—the historic financial district built by European powers in the 1800s—and far beyond, with views reaching almost 40 miles on clearer days.