When I first arrived in Dubai, one thought instantly lit up my mind: “This is the city where the tallest building in the world stands—the Burj Khalifa.” It was almost surreal. Back in the Philippines, the Burj Khalifa was a symbol you saw on postcards, Instagram feeds, or news headlines. And suddenly, I was here—breathing the same air, walking the same streets where this architectural wonder dominates the skyline.
But as life often reminds us, wonder has a way of slipping into the background once routine sets in. I arrived during the peak of summer, when the Dubai heat was so intense that the very first thing I remember is stepping out of my hotel and being hit by a wall of scorching air. It was a vivid welcome—a reminder that I was far from home and about to be reshaped by a new chapter of life.
Between finding work, adjusting to new food, learning the metro, and slowly understanding the rhythm of this city, the Burj Khalifa quietly drifted out of my priority list. It was always there—majestic, untouchable, silently towering over my new reality—but for me, life came first.
The Journey Before Reaching the Top
It took nearly a year before I finally made my way up the Burj Khalifa. I arrived in August 2023, and it wasn’t until July 2024 that I stood at the top. Nearly a year of passing by Dubai Mall station, catching glimpses of the tower as it pierced the sky, and telling myself, “Someday, not today.”
That delay, I realize, mirrors how life often works. We postpone dreams because responsibilities demand attention. And yet, the dream doesn’t vanish—it simply waits for the right time.
For anyone planning to visit, the journey is simple: take the Dubai Metro, stop at Dubai Mall/Burj Khalifa station, and walk through the covered, air-conditioned walkway that connects to the mall. From there, you’ll find the entrance to the Burj Khalifa. Like everything in Dubai, it’s efficient, well-thought-out, and welcoming.
Almost a Year of Waiting to Climb the Top
When the time came, I purchased my ticket online. As a UAE resident, I was able to get a discount, paying around 100 AED for access to the 124th and 125th floors. There’s an option to go up to the 148th floor, but honestly, standing at the 125th floor is already breathtaking enough. The view makes the world below look impossibly small, almost like a toy set scattered across the sand.
I would suggest checking their website for deals, as discounts are offered regularly. And here’s my advice: don’t rush the experience. Take your time. Look closely. Breathe deeply. Let the view speak to you.
Being at the Top of Burj Khalifa
Standing there, I had to admit—it was both exhilarating and frightening. Imagine it: you’re literally at the top of the tallest manmade structure in the world. Part of me felt a deep pride—I’m living the dream I imagined the moment I landed in Dubai. Another part of me felt small, almost insignificant.
The top has everything you’d expect—souvenir shops, telescopes for a closer look at the city, cafés, and of course, endless opportunities for photos. But beyond the amenities, it was the silence that struck me. The silence of being above the chaos, where only the wind seemed to whisper its own kind of wisdom.
Life Lessons from the Top
That day, I realized something powerful: being at the top is not just about the view—it’s about perspective.
From the ground, the Burj Khalifa feels overwhelming, unreachable, almost like an untouchable dream. From the top, however, the world below shrinks into something manageable, almost delicate. Problems, fears, ambitions—everything looks smaller when viewed from above.
It reminded me that in life, our struggles often seem bigger than they really are because of the perspective we choose. Change the angle, rise above the noise, and suddenly the impossible feels possible.
But here’s the paradox: as breathtaking as the top is, I also felt a longing for the ground. The ground is where life truly happens. Up there, it’s easy to dream, reflect, and escape reality—but down below is where you love, work, and live. That realization grounded me.
What the Burj Khalifa Taught Me About Life
The Burj Khalifa taught me that life is a dance between reaching for the sky and staying rooted in the ground. Success, recognition, and dreams are all important, but they should never detach us from humility.
From the top, I understood that:
We are smaller than we think. The world doesn’t revolve around us, yet in our uniqueness, we carry meaning.
The journey matters more than the climb. It took me nearly a year to get there, and those months of adaptation shaped me more than the single hour I stood at the top.
Perspective changes everything. What feels overwhelming today might look like a speck tomorrow.
Stay grounded. Even if you reach the highest heights, life still calls you back to the ground, where your true story continues.
Final Reflection
The Burj Khalifa isn’t just a building. To me, it’s a mirror of life itself. It stands as proof of human ambition, resilience, and creativity. But climbing it, standing at its peak, and looking down reminded me that greatness is not about height—it’s about perspective, humility, and balance.
So, if you ever find yourself in Dubai, don’t just see the Burj Khalifa as a tourist attraction. Let it be a lesson. Climb it, yes. Take photos, yes. But more importantly, let it speak to you the way it spoke to me: that life is beautiful at the top, but it is only meaningful when you return to the ground, live humbly, and make each step count. Because in the end, the true height we achieve in life is not measured by how high we stand, but by how deeply we remain grounded.
