When I first arrived in Dubai, one thought instantly lit up my mind: âThis is the city where the tallest building in the world stands, the Burj Khalifa.â It was almost surreal. Back in the Philippines, the Burj Khalifa was something I only saw on postcards, Instagram feeds, or in news headlines. And suddenly, I was hereâbreathing the same air, walking the same streets where this architectural marvel dominates the skyline. At 828 meters tall, with 163 floors, the Burj Khalifa is more than a building. It is a testament to human ambition and creativity.
But as life often reminds us, wonder can quietly fade into the background once routine sets in. I arrived during the peak of summer, when the Dubai heat was so intense that the first thing I remember is stepping out of my hotel and being hit by a wall of scorching air. The temperature easily reached 45 degrees Celsius, and the sun reflected off every surface, reminding me that I was far from home and entering a city that would challenge me in every way.
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 thereâmajestic, 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. I arrived in August 2023, but it wasnât until July 2024 that I stood at the top. Nearly a year of passing Dubai Mall station, catching glimpses of the tower as it pierced the sky, and telling myself, âSomeday, not today.â That delay mirrors how life often works. We postpone dreams because responsibilities demand attention. And yet, the dream doesnât vanish. It simply waits for the right moment.
For anyone planning a 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 will find the entrance. Like everything in Dubai, it is efficient, thoughtful, and welcoming.
Almost a Year of Waiting to Climb to 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 is also an option to go up to the 148th floor, which includes a glass-floored lounge, but standing at the 125th floor is already breathtaking. The view makes the world below look impossibly small, almost like a toy set scattered across the desert.
I recommend checking their website for seasonal deals. And here is my advice: do not 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 intimidating. Imagine being at the top of the tallest manmade structure in the world. Part of me felt pride. I was living a dream I imagined the moment I arrived in Dubai. Another part of me felt small, almost insignificant.
The observation deck has everything you expectâsouvenir shops, telescopes for a closer look at the city, cafĂ©s, and endless opportunities for photos. But beyond the amenities, what struck me most was the silence. The silence of being above the chaos, where only the wind whispers, and the city stretches endlessly below.
Life Lessons from the Top
That day, I realized something powerful. Being at the top is not just about the view. It is about perspective.
From the ground, the Burj Khalifa feels overwhelming, unreachable, almost like a dream beyond touch. From the top, the world below shrinks into something manageable. Problems, fears, ambitionsâeverything looks smaller when viewed from above. Psychologists say that changing perspective, even physically, can help us solve problems more clearly and reduce stress. I felt it myself.
But the paradox is that as breathtaking as the top is, I also felt a longing for the ground. The ground is where life truly happens. Up there, it is 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 important, but they should never detach us from humility.
From the top, I understood that we are smaller than we think. The world does not revolve around us. Yet in our uniqueness, we carry meaning. The journey matters more than the climb. It took me nearly a year to reach the observation deck, 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.
Final Reflection
The Burj Khalifa is not just a building. To me, it is a mirror of life itself. It stands as proof of human ambition, resilience, and creativity. Climbing it, standing at its peak, and looking down reminded me that greatness is not about height. It is about perspective, humility, and balance.
If you ever find yourself in Dubai, do not just see the Burj Khalifa as a tourist attraction. Let it be a lesson. Climb it. Take photos. But more importantly, let it speak to you the way it spoke to me. Life is beautiful at the top, but it is only meaningful when you return to the ground, live humbly, and make each step count. The true height we achieve in life is not measured by how high we stand, but by how deeply we remain grounded.
