Revisiting the Kingdom Tower's Sky Bridge

On May 9, I'll be celebrating my five years in the Kingdom. Time, indeed, flies so fast! (Goodness, I landed in Riyadh when I was just 24... guess what's my age now? Don't! Lol!) I decided to revisit one of the most popular icons that is symbolic of living in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia... The Kingdom Tower's Sky Bridge.

The Kingdom Tower, the most famous building in Riyadh

Any Filipino newbie in Riyadh would say that Batha is the first place they visit when they arrive in Riyadh but statistics say that the Sky Bridge is also worth visiting. Er, I might have made up that statistics, haha, but still, the Sky Bridge is a tourist spot itself. However, I admit that it took me a year and a half before I visited it for the first time in November 2009. That's already a rare feat compared to my father who's been here in Saudi Arabia for 22 years and have never set foot in that Sky Bridge. Like ever. Shoegarfreeruby, who wrote about the Sky Bridge in January 2009 shared the same experience (or non-experience) with her dad. What's up with the Riyadh oldies veterans seasoned expats not wanting to visit tourist attractions? KJ! Lol, just kidding. 

I think the price sets them aback. I already found the SR 25 fee in 2009 expensive. Imagine my shock when I found out its SR 35 now. Does it come with a free coffee now?! Nope. The price is quite steep when all you can do in the Sky Bridge is gaze below, test your fear of heights, consider how it would feel to jump from it (not recommended) and take photos. There's no maximum time limit in being at the Sky Bridge so if you want to stay there for half a day just because it would make the SR 35 sulit (worth it), then by all means, stay until you realize there's nothing new to see anymore.

The Kingdom Tower, developed by the Kingdom Holding Inc., is the tallest skyscraper in Riyadh and the second tallest in Saudi Arabia (the first is the Makkah Royal Clock Tower Hotel). At 302.3 meters, it stands as the #16 tallest building in the Middle East and #65 tallest in the world. Construction started in 1999 and the tower was completed in 2002. It has 99 floors with only 40+ levels occupied. If you're wondering why they made a keyhole in the building, it's not for small airplanes to perform exhibitions with. The keyhole aka necklace is created to conform to city laws that don't allow occupied floors above a certain height.

To the 99th floor, please.

Sitting atop the Kingdom Tower, on its 99th floor, is the Sky Bridge. The elevators that take you to the Sky Bridge is described as the "ride of a lifetime." I think it's more of a ride of a lifetime that doesn't feel like a lifetime. It's only 90 seconds... that's the fastest lifetime you'll ever have. Amazing for its speed, yes.

Entrance to the Sky Bridge elevator is at the Kingdom Centre Mall, that small space near Loewe, Lacoste and Marc by Marc Jacobs. Two elevators will take you to the top. The first elevator which will take you to the transfer level (and Spazio Restaurant) at 180 meters above ground level takes 50 seconds. You can entertain yourself with the lift's planetarium interiors. It has "stars" and "wishing stars".

Find a constellation in the elevator... or make up one! :P

The night sky all around you (on the lift, okay?)

The second elevator ride takes less than 40 seconds. Upon alighting, you'll find yourself 300 meters above ground level. Smoking is not allowed in the Sky Bridge. The ticket and sign also says No Photography. But that must be a joke because every one is taking their pictures in the Sky Bridge which is awesome (hello, SR35 ticket?!)! The only area off limit to your camera is the one in the center where the best view of the city and Faisaliah Tower is. There is an official camera and cameramen for it. There's also a small coffee stand at the other end. Grab a coffee and sit down at the edges of the Sky Bridge and enjoy the views!!!

Bet there's someone in The Globe who's taking your (or the Kingdom Tower's) photo too.

The Faisaliah Tower in the distance

To the right: King Fahd Road and the Al-Maather and Takhasussi areas.

To the left: The traffic road of Olaya and the Suleimania area

The other side: Maseef area

Every Riyadhizen must experience the Sky Bridge, kahit na once in your lifetime lang. Or twice... visit during daytime and during nighttime. The Sky Bridge is open from 10:30am to 11:30pm from Saturday to Thursday while on Fridays, it's open from 4:00pm to 11:30pm. 

R, let's drag our fathers to see the Sky Bridge one of these days! Haha! For those who can't stand the height, there's always the lower The Globe Experience of Faisaliah Tower... ~ Sundrenched

City Skyscraper

The Kingdom Center or Al Mamlaka in Arabic is one the best shopping destinations in Riyadh. And yes, it is one of The Pink Tarha Team's favorite shopping spots! Located at the busiest streets of the city in King Fahad Road and Olaya, this beautiful structure houses a three-level shopping center (the third floor exclusive to women), business offices and the luxurious Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh. By day, it resembles a tower of mirrors and is illuminated by colored lights with hues constantly changing at night time. What makes this landmark allthemore interesting is the towering Skybridge located at the 99th floor of this skyscraper. The Skybridge is a public viewing deck suspended at the hallow opening of the tower.

(Photo courtesy of wikipedia)

I was only able to visit the Skybridge two years ago when a friend invited with her family. To think that the tower was built in 2001, the same year I first arrived in Riyadh, it was only six years later that I was able to finally go there. This shot was taken then with my 2mp camera phone...

The view was indeed breathtaking. Like a miniature Riyadh or a shot from google earth, only for real! The triangular tower with a 'ball' on top is the Al-Faisaliah Centre (top center of photo). Sorry for the low res image though. Cameras were not allowed inside, but they allow taking pictures with camera phones only. I'm not sure what the difference is in principle, really. Although they have an 'in-house' photographer who can take your souvenir photo with the view as background for a small charge.

See Riyadh at night here (Photo courtesy of wikipedia):

I think most of the expatriates here, especially our Kababayans do not realize that the Skybridge is worth seeing. I know for one that my dad who's worked here for 25 years has never been there. You think, what's there to see aside from cars and monochrome buildings? See for yourself! For a small fee of SAR 25, the sight is worth every halala. You will surely appreciate Riyadh and its beauty. Not recommended for the acrophobic though!