This article was first published on Nov 3, 2014, and updated on June 22, 2015.
The world's second-tallest building, the Shanghai Tower, will open soon in the Chinese financial capital.
Costing US$2.4 billion (S$3.2 billion) and standing at 632m, it is still dwarfed by Burj Khalifa in Dubai (828m) but can can lay claim to a host of superlatives - besides being the tallest double-facade building, it also has the fastest elevators travelling at 18m per second.
Here is a list of the tallest buildings on the continent, including some still under construction:
Burj Khalifa
Where: Dubai
How high: 828m
Completed: 2010
The Burj is now the undisputed tallest building in the world, but the planned 1-kilometre-tall Kingdom Tower in Saudi Arabia, which is under construction, snaps at its heels.
Ping An Finance Center
Where: Shenzhen
How high: 660m
To be completed: 2016
The 660m Ping An Finance Center in the southern city of Shenzhen will be China's tallest building when completed in 2016.
Shanghai Tower
Where: Shanghai
How high: 632m
To be completed: 2015
Until Ping An is complete, the Shanghai Tower will momentarily lay claim to the title of the tallest building in China. The new tower integrates with two nearby skyscrapers: Jin Mao Tower and Shanghai World Financial Center (currently China's tallest).
Super Tower
Where: Bangkok
How high: 615m
To be completed: 2019
At double the height of Thailand's current tallest building - Baiyoke Tower II (328m) - the 125-storey tower will include a six-star hotel, and an observation deck.
Makkah Royal Clock Tower Hotel
Where: Mecca
How high: 601m
Completed: 2012
Also known as the Abraj Al-Bait, the government-owned complex holds the record for the tallest clock tower in the world and the world's largest clock face.
KL118
Where: Kuala Lumpur
How high: 596m
To be completed: 2020
It was to be South-east Asia's tallest tower, but projected to come a year after (Bangkok's) Super Tower. KL118 was originally named the Warisan Merdeka, but it may be late to the party.
The condominium and hotel complex in Kuala Lumpur's colonial district will be 118 storeys high.
Taipei 101
Where: Taipei
How high: 508m
Completed: 2004
Before the Burj , there was Taipei 101. It was the first building in the world to surpass the half-kilometre mark, and still boasts the fastest elevators in the world - for now. Speedier ones are reportedly under construction in Guangzhou.
Shanghai World Financial Center
Where: Shanghai
How high: 492m
Completed: 2008
The skyscraper in Shanghai's Pudong district was meant to top Taipei 101, but a height limit was imposed. Its highest occupied floor does exceed the Burj Khalifa's at 474m.
International Commerce Centre (ICC)
Where: Hong Kong
How high: 484m
Completed: 2011
Hong Kong's tallest building not only houses offices, it has a facade that is the canvas for the largest light and sound show on a single building in the world, according to Hong Kong's Tourism Board.
Petronas Towers
Where: Kuala Lumpur
How high: 452m
Completed: 1998
The complex in Malaysia's capital was the tallest building in the world until overtaken by Taipei 101 in 2004 (and so on). It still holds the record for the tallest twin towers in the world.
This article was first published on June 22, 2015.
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