Daredevils scale skyscraper in China

A video shows two Russian climbers walking up stairs, climbing ladders and finally scaling a crane at the top of the Shanghai Tower.

The Shanghai Tower under construction

Two Russian daredevil climbers have recorded themselves climbing the Shanghai Tower in China. (AAP)

Two Russian daredevil climbers have ascended to the top of the world's second tallest building in China's commercial hub Shanghai, posting a stomach-turning video which has received more than a million views.

The duo, who identified themselves as Vadim Makhorov and Vitaliy Raskalov, said they scaled the Shanghai Tower, which will reach over 630 metres when it is finished this year if construction goes according to schedule.

Globally it will be second only to the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, which stands at 828 metres.

The video showed the two, wearing black hoodies, walking up stairs, climbing ladders and finally scaling a crane at the top of the Shanghai Tower as they peered at buildings shrouded in clouds below.

Raskalov said on his blog that they started the ascent on January 31, the first day of China's Lunar New Year.

"At that time the security was less watchful, workers were on vacations," he said.

"It took us almost two hours to get on the 120th floor by foot. And also, we (spent) almost 18 hours on top of the building, sleeping and waiting for better weather."

A video of their feat, posted on YouTube had been viewed nearly 1.8 million times on YouTube and more than 1.4 million times on Chinese site Youku.com.

In China, where YouTube is blocked by authorities, the clip was re-posted to several video websites.

Many Chinese netizens were impressed by their antics, though some did highlight it was a violation of the law.

"My knees are getting weak just by watching. Hollywood blockbusters are nothing compared to this," said one poster.


2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP


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